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Identity Access Management (IAM)

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IAM

IAM (Identity and Access Management) is a cybersecurity framework that ensures the right people have the right access to the right resources at the right time. IAM controls: Who a user is (Identity) How they prove they are who they claim to be (Authentication) What they are allowed to access (Authorization) Simple Example Imagine a company office: Plain Text Employee | v Login | v IAM System | v Applications and Data The IAM system verifies: Who the employee is Whether they are allowed access What actions they can perform Identity An identity is a digital representation of a user, device, or application. Examples: Plain Text John Smith jsmith@company.com Laptop-001 App-Service-Account Each identity has: Username Password Permissions Roles Authentication Authentication answers: Plain Text "Who are you?" ` A user proves their identity. Examples: Something You Know Plain Text Password PIN Something You Have Plain Text Smartphone Security Token Smart Card Something You Are Plain Text Fingerprint Face Scan Iris Scan Authorization Authorization answers: Plain Text "What are you allowed to do?" Example: Plain Text HR Employee | Can access HR Files   Sales Employee | Cannot access HR Files Authorization occurs after authentication. Core IAM Components User Accounts Each user receives an account. Example: Plain Text Username: jsmith The IAM system manages the account lifecycle. Multifactor Authentication (MFA) Requires more than one authentication factor. Example: Plain Text Password + Phone Verification Code Benefits: ✅ Stronger security ✅ Reduces account compromise Single Sign-On (SSO) Allows users to log in once and access multiple applications. Without SSO: Plain Text Email Login VPN Login HR Login Payroll Login `` With SSO: Plain Text One Login | Multiple Applications Examples: Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) Okta Ping Identity Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) Permissions are assigned based on job roles. Example: Plain Text HR Role | Access HR Data   Sales Role | Access Sales Data Benefits: ✅ Easier administration ✅ Consistent permissions ✅ Improved security Principle of Least Privilege Users receive only the permissions necessary to perform their jobs. Example: Plain Text Accountant Gets access to: Plain Text Accounting Systems Not: Plain Text Server Administrator Tools Identity Lifecycle Management IAM manages accounts through their entire lifecycle. Joiner New employee is hired. Plain Text Create Account Assign Role Grant Access ` Mover Employee changes jobs. Plain Text Update Permissions Remove Old Access Add New Access Leaver Employee leaves company. Plain Text Disable Account Remove Access Privileged Access Management (PAM) PAM is a specialized IAM function for highly privileged accounts. Examples: Plain Text Domain Admin Database Admin Cloud Administrator   These accounts are high-value targets and require additional protection. Common IAM Solutions Microsoft Microsoft Entra ID Active Directory Other Vendors Okta Ping Identity CyberArk SailPoint OneLogin IAM in Cloud Computing Cloud environments rely heavily on IAM. Example: Plain Text Microsoft Azure AWS Google Cloud IAM controls: User accounts Administrator access Application permissions API access Resource access Benefits of IAM ✅ Centralized user management ✅ Better security ✅ Supports MFA ✅ Simplifies audits ✅ Improves compliance ✅ Reduces insider threats ✅ Enables SSO ✅ Enforces least privilege IAM vs Authentication vs Authorization Term MeaningIdentity Who the user is Authentication Verify identity Authorization Determine access IAM Manages all three Security+ Exam Tips Remember Plain Text Identity = Who Are You?   Authentication = Prove It   Authorization = What Can You Access? Key Technologies MFA SSO RBAC PAM Least Privilege Quick Memory Trick Plain Text IAM = Identity Authentication Authorization Management Simple Definition IAM (Identity and Access Management) is the process of managing digital identities and controlling access to systems, applications, and data through authentication, authorization, multifactor authentication, single sign-on, and role-based access controls to ensure that only authorized users can access specific resources. AllPeoplePeopleFilesFilesMeetingsMeetings
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