6 tips for a successful Identity & Access Management implementation

In order to protect their data and systems, startups need to build a strong foundation for identity and access management (IAM). IAM is the process of identifying users and granting them permission to access resources. Without a well-implemented IAM system, startups run the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data, which can lead to theft or loss of revenue. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the key components of a successful IAM strategy and provide tips for getting started. Stay safe out there!

1. Understand the different types of authentication and authorization technologies

There are four primary types of authentication and authorization technologies, each with its own unique standard or algorithm to follow (e.g., username/password, one-time passwords, two-factor authentication).

Authentication is the process by which organizations verify that users are who they say they are. This is typically performed via usernames and passwords, but there are many other methods of authentication available to startups, such as one-time passwords or physical key tokens.

Authorization is the process by which organizations define what resources users can access after successfully authenticating themselves. In other words, authorization defines a user’s permissions and restrictions for a given system.

2. Plan for the long term — your IAM strategy should be scalable and adaptable

Startups should plan ahead for their future growth and identify potential pitfalls in their current IAM strategy. If possible, prioritize technological upgrades that will improve security capabilities or offer other benefits (such as improved reporting). Short-term cost-cutting measures often lead to increased costs down the road. Try to avoid using overly complicated passwords, since these are difficult to remember and thus more likely to be written down in unsecured locations.

You should consider whether your system is able to scale, i.e., how well it will hold up when the number of users starts growing exponentially. A basic IAM solution can become very complex when you add many layers of components on top of each other, so make sure you understand how your system will behave as the number of users and use cases grows.

Remember: a startup’s IAM strategy will never be perfect, and there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution that works for every organization. Choose technology with an eye toward future growth and scalability — otherwise, there’s a good chance your IAM system will be unworkable once you scale or grow.

3. Choose the right vendors and partners to help you implement your IAM strategy

There are many vendors and partners who can help startups implement their IAM strategy, including:

Identity as a Service (IDaaS) providers, such as Okta or OneLogin, make it easy to set up single sign-on capabilities for your users. They also provide integrations with other identity management systems and cloud-based applications, helping to simplify your setup and management.

IDaaS providers can also help you implement multi-factor authentication (MFA), which requires the use of two different forms of authentication for an extra layer of security (e.g., a password and a one-time code sent to the user’s mobile phone).

Identity federation provides a way of linking authentication environments across organizational boundaries. This enables employees from one organization to access resources on another system, without having to log in again or re-enter their credentials. Federation works by authenticating the user’s identity with the federation provider and then passing this authentication information along to the resource provider as an assertion.

4. Train your employees on how to use the new system

Once you have set up an IAM strategy, you should train your employees on the new system. Some of this training may be self-guided (e.g., how to reset their passwords), while other content will need to be communicated by managers or administrators. It is important that everyone knows how to use the new system, especially if it has been designed to work with multiple systems or applications.

If you are using multi-factor authentication, it is particularly important that employees understand how this system works and why it’s necessary. Your employees are your organization’s first line of defense against hackers — so if they don’t have a good grasp on the risks associated with online security breaches, they may be more likely to make careless mistakes that put your data and systems at risk.

5. Test, test, test! Make sure everything is working properly before going live

Don’t go live until you’ve tested the IAM solution extensively. It’s important to make sure that every aspect of your system is working properly. This includes functions such as password reset, self-service account creation, and MFA.

It may be helpful to use a “red team” when testing your system. A red team simulates attacks on your system (including brute force, phishing, DDoS, etc.) in order to find the flaws in its design. Even if you’re confident that your system is secure, it’s important to run tests like this regularly — otherwise, you may miss an important vulnerability.

It’s also a good idea to test your system on a day-to-day basis as part of your normal operations. You should periodically check that self-service functions such as password resets and account creations, as well as authentication functions such as MFA, are working properly.

Since some attacks may be ongoing after you go live (such as DDoS attacks), it’s also important to make sure that your systems are able to recover quickly if they come under attack. This may require additional design changes, but the extra effort is well worth it for keeping your system secure.

These are some of the best practices you should follow when developing your IAM strategy. It’s also a good idea to review existing IAM strategies.

6. Monitor your system closely and make changes as needed

Periodically reviewing your IAM system is also important. Make sure that you’re continuing to meet your security objectives, and if not, make changes as needed.

Organizations should review their access control policies regularly to ensure they remain effective and update them when necessary. This may involve revoking or modifying existing access rights for various users — startups need IAM to protect their data and systems from unauthorized use. Without a well-implemented IAM system, startups can suffer damage that goes beyond just lost revenue or reputation:

IAM isn’t about locking down an organization so people don’t get in trouble — it’s about preventing people from getting in trouble in the first place.

You need to have a powerful IAM strategy in order to remain competitive as your business scales and new risks emerge.

IAM can be a complex process, but following these tips will help ensure a successful implementation. Have you gone through an IAM implementation? What tips would you add to this list? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below.