Security

Why Should Businesses Modernize Their IAM Programs?

Here are three compelling reasons to modernize identity and access management.

Asif Syed is a senior director in CDW’s identity and access management security practice.

Rizwan Malik is a senior director in CDW’s identity and access management security practice.

A modern identity and access management program brings together identity governance, access management and privileged access management into one unified, cloud-based solution that offers improved security and almost unlimited scalability. With tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning built in, modern IAM programs can help businesses of all sizes achieve critical security objectives while consolidating platforms, streamlining resource management and optimizing costs.

Here are the top three reasons to consider modernizing your IAM program.

Click the banner below to learn why cyber resilience is essential to enterprise success.

1. Cloud-Based Flexibility

Modern IAM programs are cloud-based and function as Software as a Service, providing enterprises with unlimited scaling in any of the top cloud providers. This ensures a seamless user experience even for the most geographically dispersed workforce. Such flexibility, along with advanced authentication mechanisms such as multifactor authentication and biometric verification, supports a robust defense against unauthorized access attempts, mitigating risks associated with phishing and other cyberattacks.

Resource management lies at the heart of any effective IAM program. A cloud-based IAM system rapidly enables businesses to implement role-based access controls that align with job functions by leveraging AI and ML functionality.

EXPLORE: Learn about these threat and vulnerability management solutions.

2. Cost Optimization

From upfront hardware investments and staffing to ongoing maintenance and upgrades, on-premises IAM platforms can be expensive to build and difficult to maintain.

Cloud-based IAM platforms operate on a subscription model and can be built and customized quickly. Modern IAM platforms not only provide a much faster ROI but also alleviate the burden of hardware procurement and maintenance, allowing agencies to scale their resources based on actual usage while optimizing expenditures.

46%

The percentage of businesses whose top challenge in implementing or planning for identity and access management is balancing user experience with security requirements

Source: scworld.com, “IAM Survey Reveals Top Implementation Challenges,” May 21, 2024

3. Platform Centralization

One of the key challenges that businesses of all sizes face is the proliferation of disparate applications, each with its own identity management system. This can complicate user access management, increase security vulnerabilities and ultimately lead to operational inefficiencies.

In response, forward-thinking enterprises are turning to platform consolidation, integrating multiple identity systems into a unified IAM platform. This approach empowers businesses to swiftly respond to security threats while facilitating a seamless user experience across applications and services.

Grundini/Ikon Images