How to Architect an IAM Solution for Your Startups?
Tags: iam, iamsolution, security, cybersecurity
Published: 2022-06-07 09:33:48


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An increase in remote work, continuously changing technology, and mobile devices has made businesses of all sizes recognise the need to secure critical business data. Most organisations are implementing identity and access management (IAM) programmes to protect important business data while still allowing authorised viewing. IAM is a group of practises that aim to manage digital identities along with access to information and technologies. An effective IAM architect will prevent many internal and external cybersecurity breaches.

All the aspects of the company’s IT environment benefit from the IAM. Whether it’s the HR system, email system, phone system, or corporate applications, they all need to interface with the IAM environment. IAM plays a key role in creating efficient and secure IT operations by supporting the enforcement of user provisioning rules and validating the access of non-corporate users. The probability of an effective and consistent IAM solution being achieved will be heightened by an architectural approach.

However, not everyone knows how to build an IAM Architect for a startup. What are the benefits of IAM Solutions? How to choose the IAM architecture? This blog has the answers to all your questions.

Let’s proceed!

**What is IAM?**

Identity and Access Management (IAM) is an important part of the overall IT security that manages digital identities and user access to systems, resources, and data across the company. IAM is the security management system. Being a security management tool lowers the identity-related access risks within a business.

Nowadays, for both on-premises and cloud implementation, leading IAM solutions are available.

To diminish risks, improve compliance, and improve efficiency across the enterprise, you need to choose the best IAM security partner for your organization. Click here to learn more about what IAM is and how to get started with IAM.

**Benefits of IAM Solution**

**Reduce Password Issues**

IAM solutions are best to prevent issues related to passwords, e.g., managing passwords in Excel or on sticky notes, as well as forgetting users’ login details, apart from allowing easier sign-in processes.

Various password management features like frequent password updates as well as strong authentication measures covering MFA, biometrics, or role-based access that help security admins implement password best practices come with the IAM tools.

**Enhanced Security**

IAM solutions assist organisations in implementing proper security policies across all the systems, platforms, applications, and devices. To protect the important data of the enterprise from cyber threats, it is necessary to have proper security policies. It makes the process of identifying security violations, removing inappropriate access privileges, and revoking access easier whenever it is needed.

It is the role of IAM solutions that the employees can access the systems on the basis of their assigned role and cannot escalate privileges without approval or a role change. Thus, identity and access management (IAM) solutions help organisations avoid potential insider data breaches.

**Use Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)**

IAM Solutions available on the market use Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) for a strong data protection policy. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) using SMS, token, smart card, or through any source adds validation for system access and serves as a bridge between your data and attackers. For the modern enterprise, the application of transparent multi-factor authentication for critical applications and privileged identities is critical to prevent the loss of important data as well as to avoid data breaches.

**Guard Against Brute Force Attacks**

Hackers use automated programmes to hack the data of organizations. These brute force attacks take place by typing tonnes of combinations of characters until hackers fortune into someone’s password. This is where IAM solutions play their role. It guards your organisation against brute force attacks by implementing a policy. This policy helps to eliminate the risk of brute force attacks by automatically suspending or disabling accounts after multiple login attempts.

**Protect Against Unauthorized Bypass**

A hacker could easily predict patterns and manipulate URLs to bypass the web app’s authentication screen and gain unauthorised access to the company’s databases. The company could have improved the security of its authentication mechanism by testing for common vulnerabilities. The IAM Solution assists in warding off the unauthorised access to enterprise data. In modern enterprises, the easiest way for hackers is to manipulate the URLs of their web pages. To avoid data breaches in your company, IAM solutions can help you with this.

Automate User Provisioning, Deprovisioning, and Attestation
As said, locking the front door doesn’t offer much protection if the back door is left open. This means you should automate your provisioning and de-provisioning processes. IAM Solutions automates the alerts and reporting to continuously monitor the access of organisations to prevent unnecessary privileges. To avoid data breaches, use IAM Solutions to automate user account provisioning, de-provisioning, attestation, and lifecycle management for all users, including contractors, partners, vendors, and customers.

**How To architect an IAM Solution for a Startup?**

There are a few elements to a successful IAM programme that include access controls, identity authentication, managing accounts, and others. This means that the IAM architect must take into account several principles when building an IAM program.

**A Must-Have Account for Private and Public Identifiers**

Usually, users have multiple identities in an IAM system. This applies to consumers as well as employees. In most companies, customers are allowed to have access to limited information.

Public and private are the two types of identifiers. Public identifiers allow employees and consumers to use them for limited network access and are usually considered “shareable information”. These public identifiers usually include

- A user name (picked by the user)
- Phone number
- Email address
- Insurance policy number
- Client number (assigned by the company)

There are two reasons to have Private identifiers. The first is used as part of a multifaceted authorization process. In this instance, the private identifier is something unique to the individual. This can be an I.D. badge, along with a retinal or fingerprint scan. The second reason applies to public network users. It’s a private identifier that can only be changed internally, with proper access.

**Keep Access Controls Externalized**

The access controls a company implements are only effective if employees understand them. Externalizing access control rules makes it easier for employees to understand the new practices and how to follow them. Businesses want the implementation of access controls to go smoothly, with minimal disruption to operations.

IAM architecture also needs to take into account how the access control rules will be enforced once employees are familiar with them. There are different policy models that can be put into place that outline how rules are enforced. Companies can also choose to create their own.

The benefit of hiring an architect is that they are already familiar with the technical language that will be needed to write the comprehensive access controls rules and enforcement policy.

**Privileged Accounts are Separate**

Identity and access management architecture needs to account for privileged accounts. Administrators used the below to login,

- Servers
- Firewalls
- Switches
- Routers
- Databases

These accounts are often a target for hackers due to the privileged information they contain. This includes access codes and passwords to personal protected information (PPI). An IAM architect has to recognize the importance of protecting this information and create cybersecurity protocols to prevent hackers from gaining access.

**Wrapping up**

Hope this blog helps you to understand how to Architect an IAM solution for your startups and the benefits of IAM solution. Creating an effective IAM program goes beyond simply monitoring network access and updating users’ accounts. Sennovate is partner with various IAM solutions like Gluu, Forgerock,  and others. Is your company ready to build an identity and access management architecture? Sennovate’s experts are here to help you.