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Read the guide →Identity and access management in short
Identity and access management (IAM) gives the right people access to the right resources at the right time, without putting your data at risk. It defines each user’s role, access and privileges, and gives them a single secure set of credentials for every app they need. Paired with multi-factor authentication, this makes systems harder to breach. Solid Systems configures Microsoft Azure Active Directory for IAM, with single sign-on, conditional access and one dashboard to manage users.
Introduction
In a world where everything is going digital, it’s never been more important to manage who has access to your resources. As more and more businesses embrace cloud solutions, it’s becoming essential for managers to decide which online resources their teams need, and how to ensure that their data remains secure when being accessed from multiple devices. Enter Identity and Access Management (IAM).
Identity and Access Management Solution: Does your Business Need it?
We are all aware of the harm that hacking and cybercriminals can cause. But did you know that one of the easiest and most commons ways that cybercriminals attack a system is by accessing a user’s credentials? For this very reason, companies have strict password creation and privacy policies in place.
But with employees working from multiple locations — each with passwords of varying strength — companies have really struggled to provide secure access to all users. This, however, was the scenario before IAM tools came into the picture. With the help of reliable IAM solutions, companies can do a much better job of securing their systems against cybercrimes.
What is Identity and Access Management?
IAM is the process of giving employees and stakeholders access to the tools and information that they need, without compromising its security.
To help you do this, IAM cybersecurity solutions allow you to define users’ roles, functions, access, and privileges. They outline the scenarios where users can be granted access, and where it should be denied. These users can be your employees, or even your customers. The main goal is to give the right people access to the right resources, at the right time.
So that explains the ‘Access’ part of IAM management, but where do identities come in?
Identity management helps users to simplify their password and login processes by providing a single set of credentials. With one secure username and password, your employees will be able to access all the platforms, data, and portals they need to perform their jobs efficiently.
To understand identity management better, think of your Microsoft suite. When you switch between your Microsoft email address and your OneDrive or SharePoint, it doesn’t ask you to log in again – it simply remembers your details. You can access a range of Microsoft tools through a single sign on. This is possible through IAM, which aims to give users a seamless login experience to all the apps and tools they need in a controlled environment.
At first glance, this might seem to be an unsafe option. With only one set of credentials for all tools, wouldn’t it be easier for a hacker to gain full access to your systems? How can a company ensure security without multiple layers of protection? The answer lies in two-factor authentication, which makes the system difficult to breach.
Two-factor authentication is a security process where two or more confirmations are needed to access the system. These confirmations would usually come from two separate sources — a user’s password would be one of them, while a PIN number sent to their phone or email address could be another. There are even authentication apps that users can download to confirm their access when they log in frequently.
Importance of IAM
In a rapidly growing digital world where remote working is the new normal, IAM is crucial. Technology is advancing at a rapid rate, and so are cyber threats. You can combat the most sophisticated cybercrimes by implementing the right IAM protocols, procedures, and policies.
Some of the crucial benefits of IAM are:
An extra layer of security for your company's IT infrastructure
The right IAM strategy helps prevent cybercriminals from viewing, accessing, stealing, or manipulating your company’s data.
Manage your users and their access to information through a single dashboard.
IAM tools like Microsoft Azure protect your apps, tools, and data by helping you monitor user activity and highlight any suspicious behaviour.
How do our IAM tools work?
At Solid Systems, we understand that one-size-fits-all solutions are not effective for every business. That is why we work with you to gain an in-depth understanding of the apps and services you use. We then analyse how they work together, and help you decide which teams will need access to them.
We also help you configure your IAM system. With our 20-plus years of experience, we understand, and can help you avoid, common missteps, oversights and glitches that can occur during setup.
The best part? We provide you with a single dashboard to monitor and manage your users. Using this management portal, you can remove inactive users, or change user roles and give them access to the information their new role requires instantly.
Benefits of Identity and Access Management
- Enhanced data security
- Single credentials mean no logging in at every turn
- Easy access management
- Streamlined IT workload
- Keeps your data compliant
- Facilitates collaboration and enhances productivity
Give the right people the right access at the right time. Who would have thought that keeping your information secure could be so easy!
Solid Systems Solutions for Identity and Access Management
As one of few elite Microsoft Gold partners, we are exceptionally experienced and well-equipped to handle your IAM needs. Our team of skilled, highly-trained Microsoft experts will configure Microsoft’s Azure Active Directory IAM solution, which even works beyond Microsoft’s ecosystem. Some of the excellent features of Microsoft Azure Active Directory that you should know about include:
- Single sign-on
- Conditional access and Multi-Factor Authentication
- Single identity dashboard to engage securely with both internal and external users
- Developer tools to easily integrate identity into your existing apps and services
ABOUT SOLID SYSTEMS
As a Microsoft Gold Certified organisation, Solid Systems is perfectly placed to help you with your IAM requirements using Microsoft Azure Active Directory. We’re just a click away, so don’t hesitate to contact us.
Since 2003, we have specialised in delivering leading technology solutions and offering guidance to organisations in South Africa and abroad in the most human way possible.
We love technology and the exciting ways in which it evolves. We are constantly improving the tools we use. But humans are at the heart of our business. That’s why we value each relationship. We prioritise a personal approach, finding solutions that deliver results for your company in the best way possible.
With our highly skilled and passionate team of professionals behind us and the latest and most sophisticated tools at their disposal, we ensure that the businesses we work with are continually evolving, and can step into the future with confidence.
Since 2003, we have specialised in delivering leading technology solutions and offering guidance to organisations in South Africa and abroad, in the most human way possible.
We love technology and the exciting ways that it evolves, and are constantly improving the tools that we use. But humans are at the heart of our business. That’s why we value each relationship and prioritise a personal approach, finding solutions that deliver results for your company in the best way possible.
With our highly skilled and passionate professionals behind us, and the latest and most sophisticated tools at their disposal, we ensure that the businesses we work with are constantly evolving, and can step into the future with confidence
Frequently asked questions
Can I make use of IAM/Azure AD with on-premises infrastructure?
Yes. Microsoft Azure Active Directory supports both cloud-only and hybrid IT infrastructure.
Is your IAM solution compatible with other third-party services and SaaS applications?
Yes. Our IAM solution, Microsoft Azure Active Directory is compatible with other third-party services and SaaS applications.
Isn't having a single set of credentials for everything more of a security risk?
On the contrary, a single set of credentials allows for better security breach detections, easy policy setting, and auditing.
More questions
What do identity management solutions do?
They give each user one secure set of credentials for all the platforms and data they need, so they do not have to log in at every turn. Access rules then control what each person can see and use.
Isn’t a single set of credentials a security risk?
No. A single set of credentials makes it easier to detect breaches, set policies and audit activity. Multi-factor authentication adds a second confirmation, such as a PIN or authenticator app, which makes the system difficult to breach.
Does Azure Active Directory work with on-premises systems?
Yes. Microsoft Azure Active Directory supports both cloud-only and hybrid IT infrastructure, and it is compatible with other third-party services and SaaS applications, not only Microsoft tools.