The twin benefits of IAM: Streamlining compliance processes and security
Published: 2021-10-28 09:28:06

Process reliability, transparency, traceability, and flexibility - the four aspects of modern IT security. An [Identity and Access Management solution (IAM)] (https://www.akku.work/) is the foundation for all four.

[IAM] (https://www.akku.work/) plays an important role in regulatory compliance. To achieve certifications like ISO and meet standards such as the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), an enterprise needs to ensure strong documentation and process standardization, provided for by a robust IAM program. With live data and analytics from the IAM, you can confirm you are standards-compliant, any time. You don’t need to scramble for documentation at audit time.

The right [IAM provides] (https://www.akku.work/) availability of information and automated security measures result in faster processing, compliance with legal regulations, fewer violations, and reduced vulnerability. Here’s what to look for when selecting your [IAM solution provider] (https://www.akku.work/).

**Are the access logs being maintained?**

Maintaining logs ensures that no one accesses the server without being accounted for. With the [right IAM] (https://www.akku.work/), such as Akku, every entry to the data host server, and every server activity, is accounted for with timestamps. 

Akku ensures double security and accountability. If an Akku executive needs server access, your IT admin will receive an [OTP for authentication] (https://www.akku.work/product/multi-factor-authentication.html); both need to be logged on simultaneously for access by either. It applies the principles of ‘zero trust’ or ‘least privilege’, wherein all traffic is authenticated, authorized, and continuously validated at all times.

**Are you receiving instant alerts?**

The GDPR requires that any information that can identify a person be protected - from their personal and contact details to their bank accounts and health records and even their political views. GDPR requires that all data breaches be reported within 72 hours. Your [solution provider] (https://www.akku.work/) must enable you to do this. Akku, for instance, sends instant alerts upon encountering any suspicious activity.

**Is your solutions provider enforcing password policies?**

[Passwords] (https://www.akku.work/product/password-policy-management.html) are integral to cybersecurity; they are an organization’s first line of defense. However, according to the 10th edition of the [Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report] (https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/dbir/), 81% of hacking-related breaches leveraged stolen and/or weak passwords. 

That’s why you need documented proof of strong passwords, and enforceable policies in place to make sure the passwords are indeed strong and secure. One solution is when the IAM’s default [password policy] (https://www.akku.work/product/password-policy-management.html) is itself compliant with industry standards, as is the case with Akku. It can be further customized based on your organization's compliance needs. If you need more information on this, [do get in touch] (https://www.akku.work/contact-us.html) with the executives at Akku.

**Are you “forgetting” employees the right way?**

To comply with GDPR, you need to respect ex-employees’ “right to be forgotten”. Employee data can be stored only for a specific purpose. For instance, if you use an employee’s information for a seminar in April with their consent, you cannot use it again in December without their explicit consent. Also, there may be contractual or self-employed workers, and data protection regulation requires that you delete their data once they have left the organization. Since IAMs like Akku manage the entire [user lifecycle] (https://www.akku.work/solutions/applications/user-lifecycle-management.html), one-point deprovisioning and deletion of records makes this easy.

**What about managing internal communication?**

Certain employee training programs and surveys are mandatory for compliance with  the various norms and laws. While it isn't a standard feature in all IAMs, some solutions like Akku offer an internal messaging feature. Using this, videos and other content can be rolled out seamlessly for continuous learning. 

**Can you check app usage?**

Does your [IAM solution provider] (https://www.akku.work/) allow you to track all aspects of activity on your server environment? They ought to, as this gives you a better understanding of patterns of usage, actual utilization, and other useful information. Using this data, you can make decisions like whether you need to upgrade the server, increase or decrease the number of app licenses, and so on. Akku is one of the IAMs that provide this facility.

If you are looking at improving audit compliance and making standardization easier, it’s important to roll out an effective [Identity and Access Management solution] (https://www.akku.work/) that works for your unique needs. [Connect] (https://www.akku.work/contact-us.html) with Akku to learn more.

This blog originally published at [Akku Blog] (https://www.akku.work/blog/). Link to the [original blog] (https://www.akku.work/blog/benefits-of-iam-streamlining-compliance-processes-and-security/)