Importance of Cloud Identity Access Management

Importance of Cloud Identity Access Management

The need for cloud infrastructure has increased over the past few years. One of the main reasons for this is COVID-19, which accelerated the process of global connectivity and digitization. Digital transformation is becoming inevitable for all companies that want to keep up with the times and have excellent results.

As a result, the security of organizational networks has changed and is no longer based solely on firewalls and physical protection. Identity is emerging as a new term in cloud security.

What is cloud identity access management?

Cloud identity access management (cloud IAM) is a security framework that manages user identities and their access to various IT resources from the cloud, rather than on-premise.

The IAM system is a unique solution for managing user access and permissions within an organization. In the system, each user has a digital identity and certain permissions that depend on their company role.

Simply put - it helps identify who the users are and what are their permissions.

Identity & authentication factors

Identity is a defined set of user properties that can be measured and proven digitally. To verify the identity, the system asks the user for data specific to them. If the data the user provides and that the system has stored match, the identity is confirmed.

The three most common authentication factors are:

Something the user knows

The most known factor is the information that an individual user has.

For the user to be able to access information within the system, they must enter certain specific data that the system requests. After valid authentication, the provider is granted access.

Example: username and password

Something the user has

A factor related to the possession of the physical token given to authorized users.

For greater security, organizations can use multiple authentication factors. After the user enters their username and password, they receive a one-time code on their email or mobile phone - a possession only they have. This code represents the second factor of authentication.

Example: one-time code

Something the user is

A factor related to the physical characteristics of an individual's body.

Face ID or a digital fingerprint can be ways to increase security in the organization even more. A large number of smartphones have these characteristics. It can be the 3rd step in authentication (which is rare), but it can also be immediately the first or second.

Example: face ID or digital fingerprint

Benefits of Cloud IAM

The benefits of cloud IAM are numerous, but we will list some of the most important ones.

Improved security

With two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA), the chance of potential data breaches is significantly reduced.

Better user experience

Single sign-on (SSO) is an authentication service that allows users to use one set of login credentials to access different applications.

Greater productivity

It can be quite overwhelming to access different information stored on different platforms. Creating accounts, typing, and remembering passwords for each application can reduce productivity. IAM can be very useful here so that effort is not invested in things that have nothing to do with work.

Less password reset requests

Solutions offered by IAM minimize the need to reset passwords. Resetting passwords can be up to 50% of the work of IT help desks. This saves time and money.

Conclusion

The age of digital transformation has begun, and an increasing number of businesses are based on the cloud. Cloud identity access management is an efficient solution for organizations that want to make their business secure, productive, and easy to manage.

If you want to know more:

• visit our cloud migration service page;
• give us a call at +385 1 3141 562;
• contact our sales department at sales@heptabit.com.

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