What does IAM do?

  1. Authentication:
    • IAM handles user authentication, which is the process of verifying the identity of individuals trying to access a system. This involves the use of credentials like usernames, passwords, or multi-factor authentication.
  2. Authorization:
    • After authentication, IAM determines the level of access or permissions granted to authenticated users. It ensures that users have the appropriate permissions to access specific resources or perform certain actions.
  3. Identity Provisioning:
    • IAM is responsible for creating, modifying, and managing user identities and their associated attributes. This includes tasks like account creation, updates, and deactivation.
  4. Access Management:
    • IAM controls user access to various resources and services. It involves defining and enforcing policies that dictate what users can or cannot do within the system.
  5. Role-based Access Control (RBAC):
    • IAM often employs RBAC, assigning permissions to users based on their roles within the organization. For example, an employee in the finance department might have different access rights than someone in human resources.
  6. Single Sign-On (SSO):
    • IAM systems often implement SSO, allowing users to log in once and gain access to multiple applications without having to re-enter credentials for each one.
  7. Audit and Compliance:
    • IAM includes features for monitoring and auditing user activities. This helps organizations track who accessed what, when, and ensures compliance with security policies and regulations.
  8. Federated Identity Management:
    • In scenarios involving multiple organizations or services, IAM may support federated identity management. This allows users from one organization to securely access resources in another organization without the need for separate credentials.
  9. Self-Service Portals:
    • IAM systems often provide self-service portals where users can manage their own profiles, reset passwords, and update personal information without direct IT involvement.
  10. Social Identity Integration:
    • Some IAM systems integrate with social identity providers, allowing users to log in using their social media credentials. This can enhance user convenience and streamline the authentication process.
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