# Identity and Access Management: Beyond Passwords
Passwords fail. Users choose weak ones. They reuse them across services. They write them on sticky notes. Phishing tricks them into revealing credentials. The fundamental model—something you know—crumbles under modern attacks.
Identity and Access Management (IAM) encompasses far more than passwords. Modern IAM integrates authentication, authorisation, governance, and lifecycle management. Getting identity right enables secure access while reducing friction.
## The Identity Challenge
Organisations face identity sprawl. Employees need access to dozens of applications. Contractors require temporary permissions. Partners connect to shared systems. Customers authenticate to portals. Each identity relationship needs management.
**Authentication** verifies identity claims. Passwords remain common but inadequate alone. Multi-factor authentication adds layers. Biometrics provide convenience with security. Passwordless approaches eliminate the weakest link entirely.
**Authorisation** determines permitted actions. Role-based access control groups permissions by job function. Attribute-based access considers context—location, time, device posture. Least privilege limits damage from compromised accounts.
**Governance** ensures appropriate access over time. Access reviews verify continued need. Certification campaigns catch accumulated permissions. Separation of duties prevents dangerous combinations.
## Modern IAM Architecture
Contemporary IAM builds on identity providers and protocols.
**Identity providers** serve as authoritative sources. Azure Active Directory, Okta, and Ping Identity lead the market. They store identities, manage credentials, and issue tokens. Applications trust assertions from configured providers.
**SAML** remains common for enterprise applications. XML-based protocol handles single sign-on. Mature but complex. Legacy applications often support only SAML.
**OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect** dominate modern development. JSON-based tokens simplify implementation. Mobile and API scenarios work naturally. Most new applications should use OIDC.
**SCIM** automates provisioning. Create, update, and delete users automatically. Identity lifecycle management without manual intervention. Essential for organisations with many SaaS applications.
## Zero Trust and Identity
Zero Trust architecture places identity at the center. Network location no longer implies trust. Every access request requires verification.
**Continuous authentication** evaluates sessions ongoing. Initial login insufficient. Behavioural analytics detect anomalies. Step-up authentication challenges suspicious activity.
**Device posture** affects access decisions. Managed devices get different access than personal ones. Compliance status influences authorisation. Unhealthy devices face restrictions.
**Conditional access policies** encode rules. Location, device, application, risk level—all factor into decisions. Policies express security requirements clearly. Enforcement happens automatically.
If your organisation needs help modernising identity infrastructure or implementing Zero Trust, contact us through our contact page.