Managing the control of access to resources and applications has been critical to ensuring data security in professional organizations over the last few years. The reason is that a growing number of businesses use online tools, and these require user accounts to prevent unauthorized access. One way to manage these identities is through Identity and Access Management (IAM) tools.
Due to the increasing number of cyber-attacks through authorized users via stolen credentials or devices, companies need to ensure that they have a robust IAM system. The implementation of best practices in IAM helps organizations secure their assets, fend off attacks, and provide secure access to resources.
Understanding Identity and Access Management Systems
Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems are designed to help businesses manage their online resources through digital identity control and verification. They protect resources by only allowing authorized access to ensure compliance and data security. IAM solutions consist of several practices including user authentication, authorization, and account management.
The user authentication process is where the system verifies the identity of users through credentials or other more advanced technologies and is often used in companies’ compliance management system. In addition to passwords and usernames, IAM systems use biometrics, MFA, SSO, or smart cards.
The authorization process is where the system acknowledges the privileges of an account and then grants the proper access permission. In most modern network structures, not all users have access to all tools, and permission levels are role-based. IAM systems define these roles and permit or deny access.
The account management part of the IAM systems controls the creation, modification, or elimination of user accounts based on hiring processes or termination of employment. Having a clean database of users is significantly important to have a hygienic network structure.
There are several types of IAM solutions, which are on-premise, cloud-based, and hybrid solutions. The benefits and disadvantages of these types differ based on the organization’s needs, so it is important to evaluate all before making a choice.
Identity and Access Management (IAM) best practices
User identity management
Managing user identities require the implementation and enforcement of strong user policies for account creation and management. These policies need to include the processes to verify user identities and frequently monitor them to ensure the verification methods are accurate.
Another important issue for user identity management is role-based access control (RBAC). This term refers to the process of identifying specific user roles and permitting access to limited resources. RBAC prevents internal breaches and help organizations adopt a least-privileged approach to only authorize highly needed access.
Provisioning and de-provisioning are also highly critical to ensure a hygienic database. User account creation or deletion should be prioritized for new hires and employee terminations. Modifying accounts for new roles or identifying permissions should be monitored regularly.
Access management
IAM solutions should have centralized access management to control digital identities. In order to have consistent and controlled access, in addition, to reducing unauthorized access risks, everything should be handled from a single platform.
A second best practice for access management is the constant monitoring of user accounts to gain insights and increase visibility on a private network. This practice includes tracking down user activities, log-in attempts, and access requests to sensitive data. The information gathered from these practices should be used to fix vulnerabilities and reduce risks.
Integration with other security tools
Identity and Access Management systems should be integrated with other security tools. Firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and data loss prevention solutions need to work with an IAM system to improve overall security. This will help streamline and facilitate security operations.
Sing-sign-on (SSO) integration is also a good practice since it allows employees to use a single set of credentials for several applications, reducing the risk of data breaches. It will also make the system more convenient for the users.
Federated identity management refers to the term where organizations share identity information with other branches within the organization. This practice is critical to IAM to improve interoperability and enforce the same policies throughout the company.
Security Considerations and encryption
In order to protect sensitive data and user account credentials, encryption of personal information and passwords should be adopted in an IAM solution. This will help prevent data theft or security breaches through stolen user credentials.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is another important security consideration of IAM systems. Passwords by themselves are not secure enough to be relied on as the only authentication method. MFA, for this reason, asks for additional verification such as biometrics or smart cards.
As with any other system, penetretion tests and security audits should also be conducted regularly to identify vulnerabilities. IAM systems need to be assessed regularly to learn risks, implement measures, and improve security in the system.
Key takeaways
IAM systems are one of the best solutions to control user accounts within an organization. From preventing unauthorized access to minimizing insider threats, IAM offers a variety of benefits. It is, however, important to know the best practices to have effective and secure access control. IAM can be the missing part of your security operations, and these practices will improve your ability to protect your organization from cyber-attacks.