Client Profile and Challenge
Our client is a leading global company with a presence in over 100 countries, specializing in advanced chemical products for various industries like construction, automotive, and solar. The client needed to modernize its Identity and Access Management (IAM) strategy. Their existing IAM system, while functional, struggled to keep pace with evolving security threats and industry best practices. New trends like cloud adoption and Zero Trust placed additional pressure on their IAM infrastructure.
KuppingerCole's Multi-Phased Approach to Modernize the Client's IAM Strategy
We implemented a comprehensive, multi-phased approach to address the client's IAM challenges and prepare them for the future. Our approach involved:
- Strategic Guidance: We provided ongoing advisory services to ensure the client's IAM strategy aligned with industry best practices.
- Maturity Assessment: We conducted a thorough evaluation of the client's existing IAM landscape to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. This assessment was benchmarked against industry standards to provide valuable context.
- Design of Target State: We collaborated with the client to define their long-term goals for IAM and Zero Trust integration. This included creating an IAM target architecture, a blueprint for a future-proof IAM system that meets their evolving needs.
- Gap Analysis: By comparing the current state with the IAM target architecture, we pinpointed areas where the existing system fell short. This gap analysis provided a clear roadmap for improvements based on the Status Quo and the previously defined goals/vision.
- Actionable Roadmap: Leveraging the insights from all the previous phases, we developed a detailed, five-year roadmap that outlined the specific steps required to achieve the client's IAM goals.
- Ongoing Strategic Support: We didn't stop at planning. We provided ongoing strategic guidance throughout the implementation process, including collaborating on policy creation, tool selection, and other operational tasks to ensure they successfully close the identified gaps.
Result and Key Deliverables
This multi-phased approach culminated in a set of key deliverables that equip the client to achieve their IAM goals and unlock significant business value. These deliverables include:
- Comprehensive IAM Roadmap: We delivered a strategic plan, not just a to-do list. This roadmap outlined a clear path towards a future-proof IAM environment. It prioritized actions, allocated resources, and established a realistic timeline for implementation. This ensured the client achieved their IAM objectives efficiently.
- Actionable Zero Trust Blueprint: We provided a concrete roadmap for integrating Zero Trust principles into the client's IAM strategy. This blueprint aims at leveraging IAM capabilities like verified identities, least privilege and policy based access control for integrating Zero Trust.
- Detailed Maturity Assessment Report with Improvement Recommendations: Our in-depth assessment went beyond identifying gaps. It provided actionable recommendations tailored to the client's specific environment. This empowered them to prioritize improvements, optimize resource allocation, and demonstrably elevate their IAM maturity level.
By delivering these key deliverables, we empowered the client to not only modernize their IAM strategy but also achieve tangible results. This includes enhanced security by preparing IAM for Zero Trust, increased efficiency with streamlined processes, and stronger governance through established policies and best practices.