Identity and Access Management (IAM) has long been the backbone of enterprise security. As digital transformation accelerates and compliance requirements grow more stringent, the need for a flexible, scalable, and future-proof IAM framework has never been more critical. This is where the KuppingerCole Identity Fabric comes into play - a holistic framework expertly designed to tackle these challenges head-on.
But why is a comprehensive IAM blueprint so crucial? According to recent data, only 40% of companies currently have a complete IAM blueprint in place, while 26.8% are in the process of developing one, and a concerning 33.1% have no blueprint at all. This gap highlights a significant vulnerability for many organizations, leaving them exposed to risks that could be mitigated with a well-defined IAM strategy. The Identity Fabric addresses this very issue by providing a structured, adaptable approach to IAM, ensuring that organizations not only close this gap but also stay ahead of future challenges.
Building on its successful design and widespread adoption, KuppingerCole analysts and advisors are currently finalizing the updated revision of the Identity Fabric for 2025, scheduled for release soon. This new version is not just a routine update; it is a carefully crafted evolution that leverages valuable feedback from the industry, incorporates insights and experiences from end-user organizations, and integrates the latest market and technology trends.
Understanding the basics: What is the Identity Fabric?
At its core, the Identity Fabric is a comprehensive, holistic framework for architecting, evolving, and modernizing IAM systems. It is essential for organizations looking to keep pace with the demands of their future challenges, ensure compliance, and address evolving business requirements. Identities are the cornerstone of cybersecurity frameworks, and the Identity Fabric offers a structured approach to managing them effectively.
The benefits of the Identity Fabric are multifaceted. It not only provides a robust high-level model for IAM but also ensures that systems are adaptable to future challenges. This adaptability is crucial as the digital landscape continues to evolve, bringing with it new threats and opportunities. The business value of the Identity Fabric lies in its ability to streamline IAM processes, reduce operational costs, and enhance the overall user experience.
Applying the Identity Fabric: Why is it so useful?
The Identity Fabric is not just a theoretical framework; it is a practical tool that can be applied across various IAM scenarios. Whether you are designing a new IAM platform or evolving an existing one, the Identity Fabric provides the entry point for a clear roadmap. Areas of application include:
- Strategy Definition for New IAM Platforms: Implementing new IAM platforms requires more than just technical know-how - it demands a strategic vision. The Identity Fabric helps define long-term goals and ensures that the platform is built with future scalability in mind.
- Strategy Definition for Evolving IAM Platforms: Just as new platforms need a strategic direction, so do existing systems undergoing transformation. The Identity Fabric guides the modernization process, ensuring that legacy platforms meet both current and future business requirements.
- Architecture Design for New IAM Platforms: When building new IAM platforms, the Identity Fabric framework ensures a robust, scalable, and flexible architecture. This architecture can adapt to changing business needs and technological advancements, making it future proof.
- Architecture Design for Evolving IAM Platforms: For organizations with existing IAM systems, the Identity Fabric offers a pathway to modernization. By aligning legacy systems with the framework, businesses can enhance functionality and improve scalability without the need for a complete overhaul.
- Review and Analysis of Existing IAM Service Platforms: To fully leverage the Identity Fabric, organizations must first understand their current state. Thorough reviews and analyses help identify gaps, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement, allowing the Identity Fabric to guide the necessary changes.
- Portfolio Management: Effective IAM is not just about managing individual systems - it’s about managing a portfolio of services and solutions. The Identity Fabric ensures that all elements are aligned with business objectives and that resources are allocated efficiently.
Evolving the Identity Fabric for 2025: A Sneak Peek
The upcoming 2025 update to the Identity Fabric brings several exciting enhancements, each aimed at ensuring that the framework remains relevant in the face of both technological and business changes.
- A Revision of the Conceptual Design: The new Identity Fabric will feature a slightly updated conceptual design that encapsulates all relevant themes. The structure of the Fabric will be more refined, looking at all types of identities, with all relevant IAM capabilities consolidated into IAM services and mapped to tools and market segments.
- Integration with the IAM Reference Architecture: One of the key enhancements in the 2025 update is the integration of the Identity Fabric with the existing IAM Reference Architecture. This ensures that the Reference Architecture is aligned within the Fabric context.
- Development of Detailed Blueprints: The 2025 update will also enable new applications of the Identity Fabric through deriving detailed, bespoke, and individualized detail identity fabrics. Crucial will be a new model of a two-tiered refinement of the KuppingerCole Identity Fabric (IF), which aims to provide a structured framework for managing identity and access within different organizational contexts.
The Identity Fabric can be adjusted two levels of abstraction:
- Level 1: Master Identity Fabric (IF) - This is the core framework designed to manage functions and services across various identity and access management (IAM) requirements. It acts as the central IAM blueprint applicable to a broad range of organizations.
- Level 2: Tailored Identity Fabrics per Business Model and/or Maturity Level - At this level, the Master Identity Fabric is refined into more specific models to serve different organizational needs and maturity levels. These refined models serve as role models for other organizations and are designed to meet the distinct challenges and requirements of various industries.
This hierarchical approach allows for greater flexibility, ensuring that the Identity Fabric can be adapted to fit specific organizational contexts while maintaining a standard core framework.
Looking Ahead: The Future of IAM
The KuppingerCole Identity Fabric 2025 is more than just an update - it’s a strategic evolution that prepares organizations for the future of IAM. By adopting this enhanced framework, businesses can ensure that their IAM systems are not only capable of meeting today’s challenges but are also ready for the unknowns of tomorrow. As identities continue to be at the core of cybersecurity, the Identity Fabric offers a clear path to resilience, adaptability, and long-term success.
Stay tuned for the official release of the KuppingerCole Identity Fabric 2025, where these enhancements and more will be fully detailed, providing a cutting-edge framework for the next generation of IAM.