As organizations adopt cloud services and remote work exploded, identity and access management (IAM) has become a cornerstone of security. Implementing centralized, identity-based access controls needs to be a top priority.

In this guide, we’ll explore strategies and key capabilities for building a robust IAM program that reduces risk. By taking control of identities, you can confidently enable secure collaboration across your hybrid environment.

Streamline Administration with Single Sign-On

One of the biggest IAM benefits is implementing single sign-on (SSO) by integrating applications with your identity provider (IdP). This allows users to authenticate once via the IdP to seamlessly access all their apps and resources.

SSO eliminates the hassles of managing countless credentials while enhancing security. Look to replace all legacy app-specific logins with SSO using standards like SAML and OpenID Connect.

Enforce Least Privilege Access

Core to zero trust models, least privilege limits access to only what is required for each user or service account to perform their role. This reduces the blast radius if credentials or access tokens are compromised.

Review permissions across file shares, databases, cloud buckets, and more to trim unnecessary access. Integrate your IdP with analytics tools to detect excessive privileges that deviate from baselines.

Implement Just-in-Time Access

For sensitive resources like servers, implement just-in-time (JIT) access that requires explicit approval to elevate privileges temporarily. PAM solutions like Microsoft Privileged Identity Management (PIM) facilitate on-demand, time-bound role activation with approval workflows.

Replace open-ended privileged credentials that never expire with JIT access to limit standing privileges. Integrate ticketing systems to grant access only for approved windows.

Automate Provisioning and Lifecycle Management

Automating user and service account provisioning reduces security risks from manual errors and improves onboarding experiences. Use cloud directory services like Azure AD combined with identity governance tools to automatically fulfill access requests at scale.

Automated deprovisioning upon employee departures and privilege recertification based on roles are also critical for governance. Ongoing access reviews ensure only authorized users retain access.

Unify Access for Hybrid Environments

Leverage cloud IdP capabilities to unify management of identities and access across cloud, on-prem resources, and multi-cloud. This enhances security while providing seamless access experiences.

Integrate on-prem directories with cloud IdPs using federations or synchronization. Expand SSO and adaptive controls across hybrid apps and infrastructure.

Modern identity and access management delivers zero trust readiness while eliminating inefficiencies. Follow the strategies above to take control through robust IAM. Engage our IAM consultants at DBGM to kickstart your program successfully.