Identity and Access Management (IAM)

Identity and Access Management (IAM) is a process that can be used by organizations to ensure their data, networks, systems, and applications are accessed and used in an authorized manner. The main objective of IAM is to grant the right user the right access to the right resources, at the right time. To achieve this, IAM solutions employ multiple layers of authentication, authorization, and audit controls that verify a user’s identity, grant access to the necessary resources, and track user activity.

Authentication is a process that verifies and confirms the identity of a user. It is used to ensure a user is who they claim to be. Authorization is the process of granting users access to certain resources. This involves defining what resources a user can access and under what conditions. Audit controls make sure that all activities related to a user’s access are monitored and that any suspicious activity is reported.

IAM can be used to manage accounts, resources, and activities across a wide range of platforms and systems. It can also be used to establish Single Sign-On (SSO) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) services.

IAM is an increasingly important tool for managing security and ensuring compliance with regulations such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). It is essential for organizations hoping to protect their data and maintain the privacy of their users.