Our IAM guide to preparing for an identity and access management project
The introduction of an Identity & Access Management (IAM) system is indispensable for companies that want to meet the challenges of digitalization. While some companies already know exactly what they want, others are often faced with the question of where to start.
This article highlights the different starting points and shows how a structured IAM guide can help to successfully implement an IAM project.
Index
Scenario 1: Companies with a clear vision
Some companies know exactly what they want from an IAM system. They have defined their goals, identified the relevant user groups and know how they want to optimize their identity and access management. For these companies, the focus is clear: it’s all about implementation.
What is important here is to find a partner who can ensure seamless integration into existing IT infrastructures and offer a future-proof solution.
Scenario 2: Companies without clear objectives
However, many companies often don’t know where to start.
This is where we at FirstAttribute AG come in with our IAM guide, which takes companies step by step through the project-preparatory as-is analysis.
This analysis is the key to the project’s success. Without a clear understanding of the starting point, requirements, goals and resources cannot be precisely defined.
We have put together a few questions that provide important clues for selecting a suitable IAM solution.
Why is IAM so important?
In today’s business world, companies are facing growing demands to efficiently manage the multitude of identities and authorisations. This challenge is becoming increasingly complex, particularly due to the increasing networking and collaboration in the cloud.
That is why we no longer speak of classic identity management, but of distributed identities. Employees and external contacts have long been spread across many different systems, and centralised management of all identities is not always practical or desirable. This makes it all the more important to analyse exactly which identities are to be managed in which systems and where potential for efficiency gains lies.
A well-implemented IAM system not only improves efficiency, but also protects sensitive data and systems. At the same time, it optimises the user experience – be it for employees, customers or partners.
The four most important steps for introducing IAM
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Analysis of the status quo
The first step is a thorough analysis of the current situation. Companies should answer the following questions:
- What identities and user groups are there (e.g. employees, customers, suppliers)?
- In which systems is identity data stored?
- How are authorizations currently managed?
- What specific challenges and compliance guidelines exist?
This information forms the basis for optimally adapting an IAM system to the needs of the company.
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Definition of requirements
On the basis of the analysis, the requirements for the future IAM system are defined. Here, all relevant identities and user groups must be taken into account. A good role concept helps to assign responsibilities and to grant authorizations automatically.
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Planning
A clear resource and time plan is crucial for a successful implementation. Companies should ask themselves:
- By when should the IAM system be implemented?
- How much is available in the project budget?
- What internal and external resources are needed?
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Proof of concept (PoC)
A PoC is an excellent way to test the planned solution in advance. This way, the prospective customer can ensure that the system meets the specific requirements of the company.
Conclusion: The right partner makes all the difference
The introduction of an IAM system requires a systematic approach to minimize risks and ensure long-term success. Protecting sensitive data is essential. Companies should ensure that their IAM solution meets the highest data protection standards and is stored in certified data centers. For German companies in particular, it makes sense to opt for solutions “Made in Germany” that meet the strict data protection requirements.
Whether you have clear goals or are still unsure about your initial situation – FirstAttribute AG has been helping companies to manage identities securely, efficiently and in a system-connecting way since its foundation.
Contact us to start your status quo analysis and lay the foundation for a successful IAM implementation.
More about FirstWare IDM-Portal
Das FirstWare IDM-Portal of FirstAttribute is an integrated solution for identity and access management (IAM) that enables the automated administration of users and their permissions, whether on-premises or in the cloud.
This portal integrates all facets of identity and access management and enables centralized access to identity and directory services.