Compliance-Driven IAM Architecture: Designing for SOX, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and GDPR

Compliance-Driven IAM Architecture: Designing for SOX, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and GDPR TL;DR Compliance isn’t optional. But most IAM architectures fail audits anyway. SOX requires segregation of duties and quarterly access certifications. HIPAA mandates unique user identification and automatic logoff. PCI-DSS demands restricted access to cardholder data and quarterly reviews. GDPR requires data minimization and right to erasure. And you’ve got to satisfy all of them simultaneously—usually with the same IAM infrastructure....

January 12, 2026 · 28 min · Jay Klinkowsky

Six Essential IAM Policies Every Business Needs

Six Essential IAM Policies Every Business Needs (Beyond Passwords) TL;DR If your security program starts and ends with a password policy, your business is exposed. To defend against breaches, insider threats, and regulatory penalties, you need a well-rounded suite of Identity & Access Management (IAM) policies—clear, actionable rules that leave no gaps for attackers (or auditors) to exploit. This post breaks down six foundational IAM policies, when to use them, why they matter, and how to link them together for real-world protection....

August 13, 2025 · 5 min · Jay Klinkowsky

Access Reviews & Certifications: Why and How

Access Reviews & Certifications: Why and How Everything you need to know about periodic reviews, compliance value, and common traps to avoid TL;DR Access reviews and certifications are your IAM safety net. Done right, they ensure that users have only the access they need—no more, no less. In this post, we’ll explain the what, why, and how, along with real-world examples and common mistakes to avoid. What Are Access Reviews?...

August 6, 2025 · 3 min · Jay Klinkowsky

AI + Human-in-the-Loop IAM: Compliance Mapping Guide

AI + Human-in-the-Loop IAM: Compliance Mapping Guide Introduction This guide maps how AI-driven IAM—with human-in-the-loop—meets the world’s leading security compliance frameworks. Use this as a reference for your governance and audit strategies. SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley) Key Controls: Change management for financial systems, privileged access approval, audit logs. HiTL Mapping: All privileged access changes require manual sign-off. Maintain full, immutable logs of both automated and human actions. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) Key Controls: Controls for PHI, traceability of access, breach notification....

June 12, 2025 · 2 min · Jay Klinkowsky

The High Cost of Poor Privileged Account Management

The High Cost of Poor Privileged Account Management In the past year, several major security breaches were traced back to basic failures in privileged account management. Weak controls on admin-level accounts – from not using multi-factor authentication (MFA) to poor password hygiene – have proven to be low-hanging fruit for attackers. Microsoft reports that over 99.9% of compromised accounts lacked MFA, making them easy targets for password attacks ( Security at your organization - Multifactor authentication (MFA) statistics - Partner Center | Microsoft Learn )....

March 14, 2025 · 13 min · Jay Klinkowsky

Acceptable Use Policy

Acceptable Use Policy Overview This Acceptable Use Policy (“AUP”) establishes clear rules and guidelines for the responsible, secure, and ethical use of company-owned or managed systems, devices, accounts, and data resources. Adherence to this policy helps safeguard organizational assets and maintain compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Scope This policy applies to all employees, contractors, interns, consultants, temporary staff, and third-party users who access or interact with any company technology resources, whether on-premises or remotely....

3 min · Jay Klinkowsky