With identity and access management (IAM) technologies, IT managers can ensure that users are who they say they are. IAM is not a single application or tool. Instead, it is a framework of processes, policies and systems that manage digital identities in a highly secure and streamlined manner.
In addition to enhanced security and simplified processes for IT admins, IAM tools “work in the background” so that employees aren’t scrambling to remember passwords and are instead left with a smoother user experience, all with stronger security doing its job.
Identity and Access Management Tools to Consider for Your IT Toolkit
We’ve created a list of some of the best IAM tools that we work with, along with useful information on each of them for you.
1. Active Directory
Active Directory (AD) is Microsoft’s proprietary directory service, running on Windows Server and enabling administrators to manage permissions and access to network resources.
The main service in Active Directory is Domain Services (AD DS), which stores directory information and handles the interaction of the user with the domain. AD DS verifies access when a user signs into a device or attempts to connect to a server over a network. AD DS controls which users have access to each resource, as well as group policies. For example, an administrator typically has a different level of access to data than an end user.
2. Microsoft Azure AD
Azure Active Directory (Azure AD or AAD) is a cloud-based directory service that is part of Microsoft’s cloud computing platform, Azure. Used primarily to manage access rights and identities for Microsoft services, such as Microsoft Dynamics and the Microsoft 365 platform (which includes Office 365, as well as services such as Teams and Exchange Online), Azure AD is also used for managing external SaaS programs and other resources.
In contrast to on-premises Active Directory, Azure AD falls under the category of platform as a service (PaaS) and is managed entirely by Microsoft. As such, organizations use Azure AD without a local server infrastructure, though Azure AD can also be combined with a company’s existing AD setup and network.
Azure AD is a directory service primarily aimed at web-based services, providing organizations with an Identity as a Service (IDaaS) solution for all their apps across the cloud and on-premises, according to Microsoft.
3. WSO2
Founded in 2005, WSO2 offers solutions that help enterprises create, deliver and scale digital experiences. The company’s cloud-native, API-first approach helps developers and architects to innovate at speed and accelerate time to market.
Customers choose WSO2 for its broad, integrated platform and expertise in API management and enterprise integration — all with identity and access management tools built in. Hundreds of leading brands and thousands of global projects execute over 18 trillion transactions annually using WSO2 technologies.
4. Cayosoft
Cayosoft offers solutions that help organizations manage and protect their Microsoft infrastructures everywhere, from on-premises to hybrid to the cloud. Purpose-built for modern Microsoft environments, Cayosoft simplifies hybrid management and protection, enabling organizations to improve security, increase efficiency and sustain compliance for every step of their journey to the cloud.
Cayosoft provides comprehensive solutions to secure, automate, control, monitor and recover Active Directory, Exchange on-premises, Exchange online, Azure Active Directory, Microsoft 365, Teams and more.
5. BeyondTrust
A leader in intelligent identity and access management tools, BeyondTrust is a solution that enables organizations to protect identities, stop threats and deliver dynamic access to secure a work-from-anywhere world. BeyondTrust’s platform offers an advanced privileged access management (PAM) solution, helping organizations quickly shrink their attack surface across traditional, cloud and hybrid environments.
BeyondTrust aims to protect all privileged identities, access and endpoints across the IT environment from security threats. BeyondTrust solutions are easy to deploy, manage and scale, and they are currently in use by 20,000 customers, including 75 of the Fortune 100.
6. JumpCloud
JumpCloud adheres to the “zero trust” concept, focused on establishing user and device trust, then invoking adaptive policies to provide access on the principle of least privilege. JumpCloud focuses on identity, device and location policies for granular access with or without Active Directory integration.
It integrates well with Google and Microsoft productivity suites and utilizes a multi-protocol, vendor-independent approach, notes TechRepublic. JumpCloud seeks to eliminate shadow IT — recognizing the risk such workarounds entail and ensuring users have access to the tools they need.
7. PKWare
PKWare is a software company that has been developing data and security solutions for close to 40 years. Its PK Privacy solution de-identifies personal data and discovers sensitive data, in addition to detecting and confirming breaches through monitoring. PK Encryption quickly secures files and data, enabling businesses to encrypt structured and unstructured data.
PKWare offers PK Protect, which unites PK Privacy, PK Encryption and several other tools into a solution for managing personal information and other sensitive data, balancing data usage with data protection for minimal risk and maximum value.
8. HashiCorp Vault
Calling itself the world’s most widely used multicloud security automation product with millions of users globally, HashiCorp Vault is an identity-based security solution. It leverages trusted sources of identity to authenticate and access different clouds, systems and endpoints, whether deploying to AWS, Azure, GCP, other clouds or an on-premises data center. With Vault, security admins can centrally store, access and deploy secrets (API keys, credentials, etc.). It also provides a simple workflow to encrypt data in flight and at rest.
9. GoTrust ID
GoTrust ID is a companion device that is designed to securely sign in to Windows Hello — Microsoft’s biometric authentication platform — using an iPhone without the need to type in a password. Using a Bluetooth connection, the user’s phone will complete the unlock process on Windows 10 computers using fingerprint verification.
Helping Organizations Strengthen Their Security Perimeter
The Migus Group can help your organization more effectively select and manage identity and access management tools for a stronger security posture. You might already have several point solutions in place and perhaps you need help in implementing their management and configuration.
Or, perhaps, contracts are about to expire and you’re looking to replace them with a more solid, proven set of capabilities to meet your organization’s evolving security needs.
However, your primary focus should be on the product that can best satisfy the requirements of account verification; role and privilege assignment (from a least-privilege-needed perspective); compliance and governance; and monitoring access — all in efforts to reduce risk.
Contact The Migus Group today and let us know how we can help you maximize your IT security assets.