Identity and access management (IAM) is a crucial aspect of information security, especially when you have multiple devices and platforms to manage. IAM ensures that only authorized users can access the right resources at the right time and for the right reasons. But how do you manage IAM across all your devices? Here are some tips and best practices to help you.
One of the challenges of managing IAM across all your devices is to avoid inconsistency, duplication, and complexity. A centralized IAM solution can help you streamline and simplify your IAM processes by providing a single source of truth for your user identities, credentials, policies, and roles. A centralized IAM solution can also help you enforce security standards, automate provisioning and deprovisioning, and monitor and audit your IAM activities.
This should be at the core of access management as it prevents individuals from writing down or craming different usernames and password. However, it's advisable that every organisation should conduct a risk assessment to determine if this will be of benefit or not.
Another challenge of managing IAM across all your devices is to prevent unauthorized access and identity theft. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a method of verifying your user identity by requiring two or more factors, such as a password, a code, a biometric, or a device. MFA can help you enhance your security posture by adding an extra layer of protection to your IAM system. MFA can also help you comply with regulatory and industry requirements, such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, or GDPR.
MFA is a more secure authentication method than traditional username and password logins it makes unauthorised access hard. Humans tend to reuse passwords and with the many password disclosures that have occurred over the years, some passwords are now known. Even if an attacker knows the user's password, they would still need to have access to the second factor in order to authenticate. Top advantages of using mfa are : It can help to prevent unauthorised access to accounts. It can help to protect against credential stuffing attacks as attackers won't have the second factor. If you are not already using MFA, it's worth changing that. It's a simple way to add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
A third challenge of managing IAM across all your devices is to control and secure your device fleet. Device management tools are software applications that allow you to remotely manage, configure, update, and wipe your devices. Device management tools can help you improve your IAM efficiency by enabling you to apply policies and settings to your devices, such as password rules, encryption, firewall, antivirus, and VPN. Device management tools can also help you reduce your IAM risks by allowing you to track, lock, and erase your devices in case of loss or theft.
Microsoft Intune is a service that is design for this type of device management. Intune is a cloud based end point and device management service that can help you improve your IAM efficiency by enabling you to apply policies and settings. Intune also has rich features that enable it to be integrated holistically with Microsoft security product lines. This gives a cloud native / hybrid approach to security with the powerful advantage of Microsoft's signal and threat intelligence.
A fourth challenge of managing IAM across all your devices is to raise awareness and responsibility among your users. Your users are the first line of defense for your IAM system, and they need to understand and follow the best practices for IAM. You can educate your users by providing them with training, guidance, and feedback on how to use your IAM system securely and effectively. You can also educate your users by creating a culture of security and accountability, where they are encouraged to report any issues or incidents related to IAM.
A fifth challenge of managing IAM across all your devices is to keep your IAM policies relevant and up-to-date. Your IAM policies are the rules and standards that govern your IAM system, and they need to reflect your business needs and goals, as well as the changing threat landscape and regulatory environment. You can review and update your IAM policies by conducting regular audits, assessments, and tests of your IAM system. You can also review and update your IAM policies by soliciting feedback and input from your stakeholders, such as your users, managers, and auditors.
A sixth challenge of managing IAM across all your devices is to leverage the benefits and opportunities of cloud computing. Cloud-based IAM services are online platforms that provide you with IAM capabilities as a service, without requiring you to install, maintain, or update any software or hardware. Cloud-based IAM services can help you optimize your IAM performance by offering you scalability, flexibility, and reliability. Cloud-based IAM services can also help you reduce your IAM costs by allowing you to pay only for what you use and need.
Implement RBAC Implement RBAC to assign permissions based on job roles and responsibilities. This approach simplifies access management, reduces complexity, and ensures that users have appropriate access privileges.