Beyond Single Sign-On (SSO)
The ResorsIT Identity and Access Management (IAM) Solution

ResorsIT Identity and Access Management (IAM) is more than SSO

Many people view Single Sign-On (SSO) as the core of Identity and Access Management (IAM). While SSO simplifies user logins, IAM is a comprehensive framework that ensures the right people have the right access to your organization’s systems, data, and resources at the right time, while keeping unauthorized users out. IAM aligns security with business goals and compliance requirements. Below, we’ll look at the key subtopics of IAM, their significance, and include diagrams to illustrate how they work together.

What is IAM?

IAM is a set of policies, processes, and technologies that manage and secure user identities and their access to resources (e.g., applications, databases, networks). It goes beyond SSO by addressing identity governance, authentication, authorization, and more to protect sensitive data, streamline operations, and ensure compliance.

Key Subtopics of IAM

IAM encompasses several interconnected areas. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each:

1. Identity Governance and Administration (IGA)

• What it is: IGA manages user identities and their access rights throughout their lifecycle (e.g., onboarding, role changes, offboarding). It includes defining policies for who can access what and aiding with regulatory compliance.
• Key functions:
  • User provisioning/deprovisioning: Creating, updating, or removing user accounts when employees join, change roles, or leave.
  • Role-based access control (RBAC): Assigning access based on job roles (e.g., a marketing manager gets access to CRM tools but not financial systems).
  • Compliance reporting: Generating audit trails to prove adherence to regulatory standards.
• Why it matters: Without IGA, you risk employees having excessive access (increasing security risks) or insufficient access (hindering productivity).
• Example: When a new employee joins, IGA ensures their account is created with access to only the tools their role requires. When they leave, their access is revoked instantly to prevent unauthorized access.

2. Authentication

• What it is: Authentication verifies that a user is who they claim to be before granting access. SSO is a subset of this, but authentication includes more methods.
• Key components:
  • Single Sign-On (SSO): Allows users to log in once and access multiple systems without re-entering credentials. It improves user experience and reduces password fatigue.
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Requires additional verification steps (e.g., a code sent to a phone) to enhance security.
  • Biometrics: Uses fingerprints, facial recognition, or other unique traits for secure login.
  • Password management: Enforces strong passwords and secure storage of credentials.
• Why it matters: Strong authentication prevents unauthorized access, especially in a world where phishing and credential theft are common. SSO is just one piece; MFA and biometrics add layers of protection.
• Example: An employee logs into a corporate portal via SSO using their email and password, then receives a push notification on their phone (MFA) to confirm their identity.

3. Authorization

• What it is: Authorization determines what a verified user is allowed to do within a system (e.g., read, write, delete). It’s about permissions and access control.
• Key components:
  • Role-based access control (RBAC): Permissions tied to roles (e.g., an admin vs. a regular user).
  • Attribute-based access control (ABAC): Permissions based on user attributes (e.g., department, location) for more granular control.
  • Policy enforcement: Ensures access aligns with predefined rules.
• Why it matters: Authorization ensures employees can only access what they need for their job, reducing the risk of data breaches or accidental data leaks.
• Example: A finance team member can view and edit budget spreadsheets but cannot access HR records, even though they use the same SSO login.

4. Privileged Access Management (PAM)

• What it is: PAM secures accounts with elevated permissions (e.g., IT admins, executives) that have access to sensitive systems or data.
• Key functions:
  • Credential vaulting: Stores privileged credentials securely and rotates them regularly.
  • Session monitoring: Tracks and records activities of privileged users to detect suspicious behavior.
  • Just-in-time access: Grants temporary elevated access only when needed.
• Why it matters: Privileged accounts are prime targets for hackers. PAM minimizes the risk of misuse or compromise.
• Example: An IT admin needs temporary access to a server for maintenance. PAM grants access for a set time, monitors their actions, and revokes access afterward.

5. Identity Federation

• What it is: Federation allows users to access systems across different organizations or domains using a single set of credentials, often through trusted partnerships.
• Key components:
  • Standards like SAML, OAuth, OpenID Connect: Protocols that enable secure identity sharing between systems.
  • Cross-organization access: Enables collaboration with external partners or cloud services.
• Why it matters: Federation simplifies access to external services (e.g., cloud apps like Salesforce) without requiring separate logins, improving efficiency and security.
• Example: Your employees use their company credentials to access a partner’s cloud-based collaboration tool without needing a separate account.

6. Directory Services

• What it is: A centralized database (like Active Directory or LDAP) that stores user identities, credentials, and access policies.
• Key functions:
  • User data management: Stores information like usernames, roles, and contact details.
  • Integration hub: Connects IAM tools with applications and systems.
• Why it matters: Directory services provide a single source of truth for user identities, making IAM scalable and manageable.
• Example: Active Directory syncs with your HR system to automatically update user roles when an employee is promoted.

7. Identity Analytics and Threat Detection

• What it is: Uses AI and analytics to monitor user behavior, detect anomalies, and prevent security threats.
• Key components:
  • User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA): Identifies unusual activity (e.g., a user logging in from an unusual location).
  • Risk-based authentication: Adjusts security requirements based on risk (e.g., requiring MFA for high-risk logins).
• Why it matters: Analytics help detect insider threats or compromised accounts before they cause harm.
• Example: If an employee suddenly downloads large amounts of sensitive data at 2 a.m., IAM flags it as suspicious and may lock the account.

How These Subtopics Work Together

IAM is like a security orchestra, with each subtopic playing a critical role:

• IGA sets the rules for who gets access.
• Authentication (including SSO) verifies user identities.
• Authorization enforces what users can do.
• PAM protects high-risk accounts.
• Federation extends access to external systems.
• Directory Services centralize identity data.
• Analytics monitor and protect against threats.

Why IAM is More Than SSO

While SSO simplifies logins, it’s just one piece of the authentication puzzle. IAM ensures:

• Security: Protects against unauthorized access and insider threats.
• Compliance: Meets regulatory requirements through audits and access controls.
• Efficiency: Automates user management, reducing IT workload.
• Scalability: Supports cloud, hybrid, and on-premises environments.

For example, SSO alone won’t prevent an employee from accessing sensitive data they shouldn’t (that’s authorization) or ensure their account is deactivated when they leave (that’s IGA). Without PAM, a compromised admin account could lead to a major breach. IAM ties these together into a cohesive strategy.

Business Impact

IAM directly impacts your business’s bottom line and risk profile:

• Cost savings: Automating user provisioning reduces IT costs.
• Risk reduction: Prevents data breaches, which can cost millions (e.g., the average cost of a data breach in 2024 was $4.45 million, per IBM).
• Employee productivity: Streamlines access so employees can focus on their work.
• Reputation and compliance: Avoids fines and builds trust with customers.

Next Steps

To leverage IAM effectively:

1. Assess your current IAM setup (e.g., are you only using SSO?).
2. Identify critical systems and data that need protection.
3. Consider tools like ResorsIT that integrate these IAM subtopics.
4. Train your team to align IAM with business goals.