IAM: Security based on Access Management | SITS
IAM for Security, Compliance and Efficiency

Hybrid and globally networked working models can lead to numerous security risks – and raise the question for companies: How can we efficiently protect our IT systems, business-critical information and user accounts?

Effective protection of user identities, devices and services can only be provided by comprehensive Identity and Access Management (IAM).

The implementation of suitable IAM strategies and technologies is therefore essential to ensure the integrity and availability of company resources and to minimize risks.

 

This is how IAM supports security and compliance:

  • Identity and Access Management ensures that users and devices have secure access to the company’s IT resources and that they only have access rights that are strictly necessary.
  • Managing digital identities and controlling access to systems and data with the help of an IAM are important components of an organization’s cyber security strategy.
  • An effective IAM solution meets the company’s individual requirements, integrates seamlessly into the IT environment and monitors systems around the clock.

Prevent data leaks

State-of-the-art working environments: This is where good Identity Management comes into play
Hybrid working methods are exposing IT systems to a growing number of threats, and the majority of cloud security incidents can be attributed to inadequately managed identities. A tailor-made IAM provides the solution.
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Identity and Access Security: A must for companies
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From PAM to IGA: What is included in an IAM?
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In-depth planning and seamless implementation
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Master risks, rethink IAM
The hybrid working environment with its numerous users, data and services confronts companies with a range of security risks - both in the local network and in the cloud.

Mature identity and access management is required to effectively manage and control access to the company's resources and comprehensively protect its data.

Inadequate regulation of access rights, which facilitates data leaks or data theft, is also often a compliance issue. Companies in industries with strict regulations, such as healthcare, finance or e-commerce, are particularly at risk of sanctions and high claims for damages.

Companies must manage these challenges:

  • Unauthorized access: If access to IT systems is not controlled and monitored, unauthorized persons can easily gain access to sensitive data and systems.
  • Data security risks:Threats from hacks, data breaches and identity theft due to inadequate access controls are constantly growing.
  • Cyber threats:Without IAM, organizations are more vulnerable to cyber-attacks, data tampering, insider threats and other security risks.
  • Compliance breaches: When organizations fail to securely and compliantly manage access rights and adequately protect IT access, they risk data breaches, legal penalties, fines and reputational damage.
  • Inefficient processes: User and access management that is carried out only manually often increases the administrative workload and delays the deployment of resources.

IAM with ``Identity Fabric`` brings the solution

Only an IAM that covers the entire IT infrastructure - from apps and data to user accounts - can effectively minimize risks. This so-called ``identity fabric`` approach aims to standardize and centralize identity data and access controls across different systems and applications.

Similar to a fabric woven from many threads, different identity data sources and systems are seamlessly linked to provide a holistic view of user identities and access rights.

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Customized IAM support for businesses
Identity and access management includes various concepts and technologies for managing user identities and access rights. Identity management includes the creation, updating, monitoring and deletion of user accounts and authorizations.

The best way to find out which IAM concept fits a company's requirements is in a personal assessment. Here is an overview of the best-known IAM strategies.

  • Classic IAM manages and controls identities and access rights from a central location. It includes functions such as user administration, authentication, authorization, authorization management and single sign-on (SSO).
  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is based on the assignment of ``roles`` to users and the allocation of access rights according to these roles. The assigned authorizations correspond to the respective function of the user in the company and are therefore not assigned individually.
  • Attribute-Based Access Control (ABACis based on user and system attributes as well as environment parameters. It enables very precise access controls.
  • Policy-Based Access Controldetermines access rights by defining and applying guidelines that can differ depending on the function of the users in the company.
  • Adaptive Access Controldynamically adapts the access control guidelines to the respective context and current risks by continuously monitoring and evaluating user behavior, device information and other factors.
  • Privileged Access Management (PAM)is primarily used to manage and monitor access to privileged user accounts - and provides additionally layers of security for access to sensitive systems and data. PAM helps to reduce attacks with ransomware and on supply chains as well as data leaks.
  • Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM)is a special form of IAM that aims to manage customer identities and access in B2C applications.
  • Identity Governance and Administration (IGA)manages digital identities and authorizations to ensure compliance and reduce risk. IGA is crucial for compliance with standards and the management of rights to apps, services and data.

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The five steps to an IAM system
In order to manage the diverse challenges of reliable and comprehensive access and identity management in the company, in-depth planning and a seamless IAM implementation are required.

IAM experts support companies in setting up a flexible IAM system that is tailored to their IT systems. A five-step implementation, as offered by SITS, is recommended:

  1. Analysis and Setup:Evaluation of the IT systems and selection of suitable solutions from experienced partners such as Ping, EntraID or Okta
  2. Implementation of the IAM:Installation and optimization of the IAM tools as a solid basis for secure access management and access protection
  3. Application Onboarding: Connecting your applications to our IAM solutions so that they are protected by efficient ``single sign-on`` methods and intelligent authentication policies
  4. Business Onboarding:Employee training and awareness programs to make IAM implementation as simple and seamless as possible
  5. Managed Service:Round-the-clock IAM maintenance and customization - of real value, especially for complex IT infrastructures

A comprehensive IAM includes several elements. These elements are among others:

  • Directory Services such as Active Directory (AD) or LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol), which are used to store user accounts and attributes
  • Single Sign-On (SSO):Solutions that allow access to multiple applications and systems after a single login without having to log in again
  • Two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA): Increase security by using additionally authentication factors besides the password
  • User and authorization managementTools for managing user accounts, group memberships and access rights based on roles or policies
  • Privileged Access Management (PAM):solutions for managing and monitoring privileged user accounts
  • Identity Governance and Administration (IGA): Ensuring compliance
  • Federalized identities: Mechanisms for authenticating and authorizing users across different domains and organizations to facilitate interoperability
  • API security and access control
  • Identity as a Service (IDaaS):Cloud-based IAM solutions

To ensure comprehensive protection, these technologies are often used as a combined system.

IAM-Expertise powered by SITS

SITS offers your company a customized IAM framework. It ensures that only authorized persons have access to sensitive data, applications and services.

We manage user identities and define precise access rights for internal and external user groups. With our expertise in the field of secure user identification and authentication, we ensure the reliable and secure use of your IT systems. Our services include:

  • IAM Discovery and IAM integration: We select the right IAM solution for your company.
  • Implementation and Integration: We support you in the seamless integration of IAM solutions.
  • Support and Maintenance: We ensure the smooth operation of your IAM solution at all times.
  • Compliance and Security: We ensure compliance and strengthen your cyber security.
  • Continuous optimizations: We help you to optimize your IAM solution based on new requirements.

Security just one click away!
Our IAM experts offer custom solutions to protect all your digital entities and handle your access right management.
What you should definitely pay attention to regarding IAM
IGA, PAM and Access Management
A comprehensive and powerful IAM implementation should fulfill the following requirements:
  • Governance and Visibility:You obtain complete control and overview of your digital ecosystem.
  • (Automated) Identity Lifecycle:The IAM must integrate seamlessly with your HR system. It must ensure that the user accounts of new employees can be created and managed without delay – and that the access rights of people who leave the company are revoked immediately.
  • SSO Access Management:Single sign-on simplifies access to applications for employees, partners and customers.
  • Advanced Authentication:IAM should offer passwordless and risk-based authentication options.
  • Seamless Integration:The IAM must fit harmoniously into your existing IT systems and organizational structures. Ready-made connectors or customized individual integrations can be used for this.
  • Right Access, Right Time:To ensure authorized and secure access to necessary information, you should adjust access rights according to predefined roles.

It is advisable to compare IAM, IGA, Access Management and PAM and, if necessary, to combine them in order to find the most suitable approach for your own requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions about IAM
Key questions about Identity Access and Access Control

A strategic IAM is essential to increase security and compliance and improve the efficiency of operational processes. It unifies identity management, enables precise access controls and optimizes user experiences across all systems. IAM helps to assign access rights according to defined guidelines, which ensures efficient user identification and authorization.

In the IAM context, the term "identities" refers to the digital credentials and attributes that uniquely identify a person or a service in IT systems.

IAM is an elementary concept that encompasses identity management and access management. Access management as a sub-area of IAM focuses exclusively on controlling access to resources.

PAM is an IAM sub-area that deals with the increased risks and security requirements of privileged accounts. The focus is on privileged accounts that have extensive access to critical systems and data. PAM solutions help to monitor and control privileged access by restricting its use and ensuring that access is only granted under strict conditions.

Identity Governance and Administration includes functions such as access certification, policy management, role-based access control (RBAC), reporting and compliance management. IGA solutions provide a framework to define, verify and manage access rights and ensure adherence to access policies and compliance requirements.

IAM, PAM and IGA ensure comprehensive management of user identities and access rights. This provides protection against unauthorized access and data leaks and supports adherence to compliance requirements. The specific controls offered by each approach enable companies to increase their security and ensure efficient processes.

The SITS experts implement the IAM in the company and support it in key areas such as cyber security, digital transformation, cloud transformation, zero trust edge, automation, Internet of Things and much more. They offer one-stop support, including consulting and managed services.

We’re here for you
SITS supports you in all matters relating to IAM.

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