Identity and Access Management (IAM) is a security framework that provides a system for user authentication, authorization, and management. It is used to control and secure access to computer systems, networks, and other sensitive data or resources. IAM also helps organizations to securely manage the identities of people from different sources, both internal and external, and to manage access to roles, resources, services, and applications.
IAM is composed of three core components: Authentication, Authorization, and Management. Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user, typically using a username and password. Authorization is the process of verifying if a user is allowed to take a certain action on a system or resource. Finally, Management is the process of creating, managing, and tracking access rights and credentials of users.
IAM systems are usually deployed in an organization to monitor and manage users’ access to systems, resources, and services with an approach known as Resource Access Control. This approach involves requiring users to have specific credentials in order to access a specific resource. This helps to limit user access to only the resources and services which are required for them to complete their tasks and activities.
IAM is a key pillar in the security considerations for any organization, ensuring secure access to sensitive data and resources. By deploying an IAM system, organizations can ensure compliance with regulatory and security requirements and can provide an additional layer of defense for safeguarding their data.
