Zero Trust

IAM 101: The IAM Backbone – A Unified and Secure Foundation TL;DR Directories and identity federation are the backbone of any modern IAM program. They serve as the new security perimeter, enable Zero Trust, and automate lifecycle management. Misconfigurations here can undermine your entire security posture. Background: The Shift to Identity as the New Perimeter Not long ago, enterprise security meant big firewalls and locked-down networks. Today, those barriers are porous—thanks to remote work, SaaS, and hybrid environments....

IAM 101: Zero Trust and Identity – Continuous Verification in Practice EverydayIdentity TL;DR Zero Trust isn’t a product—it’s a security philosophy. At its core is continuous verification: a principle that access decisions should never rely on a one-time check. This post breaks down how identity, context, device posture, and dynamic access policies form the foundation of Zero Trust, and how IAM teams can implement this model in practice. What Is Zero Trust?...

IAM 101: Why Identity in the Cloud Must Be Your #1 Security Priority for AWS, Azure, and Google TL;DR Identity is the real cloud perimeter. As businesses move to AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, old security assumptions vanish—and identity becomes the #1 target for attackers. This post explains why managing cloud identities (not just passwords!) is the key to surviving in a world of SaaS, hybrid work, and zero trust....

TL;DR AI brings speed, scale, and intelligence to Identity and Access Management (IAM). But real-world breaches, compliance rules, and business complexity prove a critical truth: without a human-in-the-loop (HiTL), automation introduces unacceptable risks. This guide covers how AI is transforming IAM, what can go wrong, real-world incidents, case studies, key compliance requirements (SOX, HIPAA, GDPR, NIST, and more), and a downloadable mapping document for your security program. 1. Introduction: The New Age of IAM Automation Identity and Access Management (IAM) is now at the crossroads of AI, automation, and Zero Trust....

TL;DR Feeling confident in your organization’s Zero Trust posture? This “Zero Trust Readiness Quiz” leverages the same practical checklist approach I’ve used across enterprises, SMBs, and personal environments to help you gauge where you stand across the seven tenets of Zero Trust defined by NIST SP 800‑207 and CISA’s Zero Trust Maturity Model. Answer ten quick checklist questions about your asset inventory, least‑privilege policies, continuous monitoring, and more. Score your results to identify gaps and prioritize your next steps....

Zero Trust Human: Never Trust a Ping Without the Proof (Especially in 2025) In today’s hyper-connected world, our devices are constantly vying for our attention. Notifications, emails, and calls flood our screens, each demanding immediate action. A text message claims your package is delayed. An email warns your bank account is locked. A phone call demands payment for unpaid taxes. It’s tempting to react impulsively, but in an era increasingly shaped by sophisticated AI-powered scams, blind trust is a dangerous vulnerability....