The way we work has changed fundamentally. Digital processes are omnipresent and the flood of information is growing exponentially. With this development, one topic is becoming increasingly important: who has access to which data and systems? Identity and access management (IAM) is not just a technical solution here, but the basis for trust and security in every digital interaction.
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Whether you need to ensure the confidentiality of sensitive patient data in healthcare, digitally control complex production processes in manufacturing or ensure smooth supply as a critical infrastructure operator, the efficient and secure management of access rights is crucial. It not only protects your most valuable assets, but also ensures business continuity.
In this blog post, we look at the foundation of IAM. We explain how it works and why it is essential for the security of your digital environment and the sustainable success of your business. Get ready to understand the mechanisms behind the secure allocation of digital keys and how you can protect your business from unauthorized access.
Think of IAM as your organization's digital gatekeeper and badge checker. It's a comprehensive framework of processes, policies and technologies that ensures the right people (or systems) can access the right resources at the right time - and only those resources.
At its core, identity and access management is about two main aspects:
Identity management: this involves managing the digital identity of a person or entity. This includes the creation, storage and maintenance of identities (e.g. user accounts, roles, attributes) throughout their entire lifecycle. It answers the question: "Who are you?"
Access management: This is the part that builds on the previously established identities. It is about controlling which actions an authenticated identity is allowed to perform on certain resources. It answers the question: "What are you allowed to do?"
Together they form the powerful concept of IAM.
To make the concept of Identity and Access Management (IAM) more tangible, it is helpful to take a step-by-step look at the process behind it. Imagine that every digital access is like entering a secure building.
Identification: A user (human or system) attempts to access a resource.
Authentication: The IAM system verifies the identity of the user. This is done by checking login information such as user names and passwords, biometric data, smartcards or multi-factor authentication (MFA). Only a successfully authenticated user can reach the next step.
Authorization: Once the user's identity has been confirmed, the IAM system determines which access rights this user has to the requested resource. This is based on predefined policies, roles and attributes. For example, a doctor may access patient files, while an administrative employee may not.
Auditing/logging: All access attempts and actions are logged. These logs are critical for monitoring security, compliance and forensic analysis in the event of a security incident.
Provisioning/deprovisioning: Identities are created when needed (provisioning) and deleted or deactivated when not in use or when a person leaves the company (deprovisioning). This ensures that old or unused accounts do not represent security gaps.
Although the terms Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Access Management are often mistakenly used interchangeably, there are important nuances that are critical to understanding a robust security strategy. One is a part of the other, but the scope is fundamentally different. The key difference lies in the scope and focus of each:
Focus: Concentrates primarily on controlling authorizations after a digital identity has already been established and authenticated. It answers the question: "What are you allowed to do?"
Function: Regulates which actions an already known and verified person or system may perform on certain resources (e.g. files, applications, systems, databases). This is based on predefined rules, roles or attributes.
Example: A successfully logged-in engineer may access CAD plans but not change them, while a department manager can both view and edit them. This is purely a matter of assigning and controlling access rights after logging in.
Focus: This is the more comprehensive and holistic approach. It manages the entire lifecycle of digital identities and integrates access management as a central component. It answers the questions: "Who are you?" and "What are you allowed to do?"
Function: Includes all processes and technologies for creating, maintaining and deleting user identities (identity management) as well as the mechanisms for authentication and authorization (access management). IAM ensures that identities are correctly verified before access rights even play a role.
Example: A new employee is created in the IAM system (identity management). When this employee logs in, their identity is verified (authentication) and, based on their role, they automatically receive the correct authorizations for the required systems and data (access management). If they leave, their identity is deactivated in the IAM system and all access rights are revoked.
Access management is the "door" you walk through when you have a badge. IAM is the entire "security office" that issues the badge, checks it and then decides which doors may be opened. Without a solid identity management system, there is no reliable basis for effective and secure access management.
The relevance of identity and access management (IAM) goes far beyond mere IT security. It is the foundation on which the protection of your most sensitive data and the efficiency of your operations rest. At a time when cyber threats are constantly on the rise, IAM is not an optional feature, but a strategic necessity.
Implementing a robust IAM system offers key benefits that directly strengthen your cybersecurity and impact business success:
Strengthening cybersecurity: IAM is one of the most effective measures against unauthorized access. By strictly controlling who can see or change what information, it minimizes the risk of data leaks, ransomware attacks and other cyber threats. It also helps to contain insider threats.
Adherence to compliance regulations: Particularly in regulated industries such as healthcare (e.g. GDPR, HIPAA) and manufacturing (e.g. ISO 27001), strict requirements for data protection and the traceability of access must be met. IAM systems provide the necessary transparency and logging to meet these requirements and pass audits.
Improved efficiency and productivity: By automating user provisioning and the allocation of access rights, IT departments can be relieved and manual errors reduced. Employees get the access they need faster, which increases productivity.
Improved user experience: Single sign-on (SSO), a core component of many IAM solutions, allows users to log in once and access multiple applications without having to re-authenticate. This increases convenience and reduces password fatigue.
Implementing a robust IAM solution offers a variety of benefits:
Reduced security risk: effective control over access rights minimizes the attack surface.
Increased compliance: fulfillment of legal and industry-specific requirements.
Increased efficiency: Automation of user management processes.
Cost savings: Less manual work, lower risk of security incidents.
Improved user-friendliness: Simplified access to applications.
Transparency and traceability: Detailed logging of all access activities.
Identity and access management is more than just a technical solution - it is a strategic necessity for companies of all sizes and in all industries. It forms the backbone of a resilient cybersecurity strategy and enables secure and efficient digital transformation.
In our series on access management, we will be looking in more detail at specific aspects such as access rights and access control in upcoming articles. Stay tuned to deepen your knowledge of this crucial area of IT security!