1 Introduction / Executive Summary
Identity and access management (IAM) has shifted from its traditional focus on user administration to being an integral part of cybersecurity and digital business frameworks. This transition is driven by the need to accommodate a wider range of identities, including not only employees but also customers, devices, and digital services, and the integration of IAM with cloud computing and IT service management.
In addition, the emergence of digital business models has underscored the importance of managing digital identities, which are increasingly associated with devices and things, necessitating secure identification, easy registration, and reusability of digital identities. Furthermore, the adoption of decentralized identity solutions signifies a move towards more user-controlled identity management systems.
Consequently, IAM must be transformed into a consolidated portfolio of discrete yet interrelated services that enable connectivity to anyone and anything via a comprehensive architecture. IAM platforms must also make services available to users everywhere in a secure, scalable fashion without organizations losing control of critical data and systems.
The term “Identity Fabric” refers to a logical infrastructure for enterprise IAM. It is a model conceived to enable access for all, from anywhere to any service while integrating advanced features such as support for adaptive authentication, auditing capabilities, comprehensive federation of services, and dynamic authorization capabilities. An Identity Fabric is not necessarily or commonly based on a single technology, tool, or cloud service, but it is a paradigm for architecting IAM within enterprises.
Modernizing IAM involves not only adopting new technologies but also reevaluating and redesigning architectural frameworks to support flexible deployment across diverse environments, from on-premises to cloud-based infrastructures. This modernization is essential for organizations to adapt to changing operational models, like the widespread adoption of remote work, which demands robust authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication (MFA), tailored to the risk profile of various devices and environments.
The principles of zero trust and SASE highlight the centrality of IAM in contemporary cybersecurity strategies, emphasizing the need for continuous verification and secure, efficient access to applications and data. This necessitates an IAM system that can integrate seamlessly with and support network security components.
The call to modernize IAM is a response to these evolving requirements, beginning with a thorough analysis of current and future needs, identifying gaps, and designing forward-looking architectures. This process is critical for organizations to remain secure and competitive in the digital age.
