Five Ways IAM and IAG are Different

Five Ways IAM and IAG are Different

IAM and IAG are both related to managing access to resources within an organization, but they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics. IAM stands for Identity and Access Management, while IAG stands for Identity and Access Governance. Here are the main differences between the two:

  1. Definition and Purpose: IAM is a set of technologies, policies, and procedures for managing digital identities and controlling access to resources, such as applications, data, and systems. It focuses on authentication, authorization, and administration of users, groups, and permissions. IAG, on the other hand, is a process of defining, enforcing, and auditing policies and controls to ensure that access to resources is compliant with regulatory, legal, and business requirements. It focuses on governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC) aspects of access management.
  2. Scope and Coverage: IAM covers the entire identity lifecycle, from onboarding to offboarding, and applies to all users, both internal and external. It includes functions such as provisioning, de-provisioning, authentication, authorization, and single sign-on (SSO). IAG, on the other hand, covers the entire access governance lifecycle, from policy definition to enforcement and monitoring. It applies to all resources, not just user accounts, and includes functions such as access certification, risk analysis, and remediation.
  3. Technology and Tools: IAM uses a variety of technologies and tools, such as directories, identity providers, authentication protocols, access control mechanisms, and SSO solutions. It often integrates with other security technologies, such as SIEM, DLP, and PAM. IAG uses a different set of technologies and tools, such as role-based access control (RBAC), attribute-based access control (ABAC), identity analytics, and governance frameworks. It often relies on data analytics and machine learning to detect anomalies and identify risks.
  4. Compliance and Audit: IAM helps organizations to comply with regulatory and industry standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, by enforcing policies and controls for access management. It provides audit trails and reporting capabilities to track user activities and access rights. IAG goes beyond compliance and helps organizations to achieve a higher level of governance by defining policies that align with business objectives, detecting and mitigating risks, and providing a holistic view of access across the enterprise. It also provides continuous monitoring and reporting to ensure that policies are being enforced effectively.
  5. Integration and Deployment: IAM and IAG can be deployed separately or as part of a unified platform. They can be integrated with other security and IT management systems, such as HR, CRM, and ITSM. IAM is often implemented as a set of point solutions that address specific use cases, such as SSO, MFA, or access management for cloud environments. IAG is often implemented as a centralized platform that provides a comprehensive view of access across the organization and enables policy enforcement and risk management across all resources.

IAM and IAG are both critical components of a comprehensive access management strategy, but they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics. IAM focuses on managing digital identities and controlling access to resources, while IAG focuses on defining, enforcing, and auditing policies and controls to ensure compliance and governance. Organizations should consider both IAM and IAG to achieve a balance between security, compliance, and business agility.

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