Some factors to consider when choosing your IAM solution

Disclaimer: The article is written based on my own experiences and opinions, and it is 100% vendor-neutral. I do compete as part of my job at Microsoft, and the content is based on my own observations.

I have used Bing Chat for the grammar check, and the Bing Image Creator for the header image.

The identity & Access Management space is constantly evolving, and choosing the right IAM solution can be a complex task. This article aims to provide insights that I hope are going to help you navigate the IAM landscape effectively.

Analysis and understanding of the IAM market

In general, one of the first things to look at is the current trends in the IAM field. The shift towards more flexible IAM architectures is a significant trend, driven by the increasing complexity of digital ecosystems. The need for smarter and adaptative access control mechanisms has also become more common with the transition to remote work and the growth in terms of connected devices, both managed and unmanaged.

Another important trend is the increasing importance of offering a good and seamless user experience. As organizations become more customer-centric, providing seamless access to services while maintaining security has become a critical factor.

Current and emerging technologies

Both play a crucial role in shaping the IAM market. It is nowadays very common to talk about AI + IAM, as well as having to take into consideration human and non-human identities, automations, and more. With that being said, it is extremely important that the solution offers capabilities to cover the most common scenarios related to these, like adaptive protection, real-time and offline detections, alerting and reporting, and others.

Adapting to changing requirements and needs

It is extremely important that the solution provides alternatives to act and respond fast to changes, needs, and last-minute requirements. This includes everything related to privileged access management to protect against internal and external threats, improving governance to ensure compliance with regulations, and enhancing consumer/customer IAM to prevent fraud and protect privacy, to mention a few.

Evaluating the market growth and progression

Understanding the growth of the IAM market is also important. The IAM market has been experiencing significant growth over the years, indicating an increasing demand for robust IAM solutions. I could include numbers informed by different analysts and well-known organizations, however I prefer to leave this up to your lecture and sources of information.

The importance of identity proofing

Establishing confidence in a user’s identity is paramount for many organizations. Identity proofing, which involves verifying the identity of users during digital interactions, is a key consideration when choosing an IAM solution. This is why it is extremely important to take into consideration capabilities related to identity verification and proofing, and through the integration with external authoritative sources.

Conclusion

As a final reflection, and I know that it sounds obvious, It’s important to note that developing your own IAM solution is generally not recommended due to the complexity and costs involved. Identity and Access Management is a complex field that requires a deep understanding of various protocols, standards, and security practices. Developing an in-house solution can be time-consuming, expensive, and prone to errors.

It's also important to take into consideration the protocols and standards adopted, such as OpenID Connect (OIDC), OAuth, Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML), WS-Federation (WS-Fed), and System for Cross-domain Identity Management (SCIM).

And last but not least important, certifications like ISO, and others like PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls), and more. These certifications not only demonstrate commitment to security and compliance but also provide assurance that the solution meet the stringent requirements set by these standards. This can be a key factor in ensuring you’re investing in a reliable and secure solution.

In my experience, adopting a single IAM solution often leads to better integrations and a more seamless experiences. However, I’ve noticed that many customers opt for multiple vendors. While this approach offers the freedom to choose the best from each, it can sometimes lead to friction and broken experiences. I’m not against having a diverse ecosystem, but it's important to be aware of all the potential challenges.

Thanks for the reading, as always.