IAM 101

TL;DR Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) remains one of the most effective and underutilized defenses in modern cybersecurity. Despite being widely available, it’s often poorly implemented or misunderstood. In this post, we break down: Why MFA is still essential in 2025 Common MFA methods (and which to avoid) How attackers are bypassing MFA Best practices for enterprise adoption 🔍 Background Fifteen years into IAM, I’ve watched the industry shift from passwords to push prompts, biometrics, and passkeys....

TL;DR Single Sign-On (SSO) allows users to access multiple applications with just one login. It’s a cornerstone of modern IAM strategy—enhancing user experience, reducing password fatigue, and boosting productivity. But SSO done wrong can centralize risk. In this post, we cover: How SSO works (and where it fits) Benefits for security, UX, and operations SAML, OIDC, and modern federation protocols Common pitfalls and how to avoid them 🔍 Background Back in the early 2010s, most companies I worked with had users juggling 5–10 logins daily....

IAM 101: Lifecycle Management – Joiners, Movers, and Leavers Done Right TL;DR Identity Lifecycle Management (ILM) governs the entire digital identity journey—from onboarding new employees to adjusting access when they change roles, to securely deactivating accounts when they leave. This “Joiners, Movers, and Leavers” process is critical to both security and operational efficiency. When mismanaged, it leads to overprovisioned users, dormant accounts, compliance failures, and insider threats. This article breaks down the core lifecycle stages, shows how automation can fix the chaos, and offers practical strategies drawn from real enterprise deployments....

TL;DR Access control models define who can access what within your systems—and more importantly, under what conditions. The most common models—RBAC (Role-Based Access Control), ABAC (Attribute-Based Access Control), and PBAC (Policy-Based Access Control)—offer different strengths depending on your organization’s complexity, compliance needs, and operational maturity. In this post, we’ll explore each model, compare real-world use cases, and help you decide which approach fits your identity strategy. 🔍 Background In the IAM world, authorization is the engine that drives secure access—yet it’s also where things get messy....

TL;DR Authentication is the process of verifying that users are who they say they are. It’s the gatekeeper to every digital system, and when done poorly, it becomes the #1 way attackers break in. From passwords to biometrics to FIDO2, authentication has evolved into a key pillar of Zero Trust security. In this post, we’ll explore: How authentication works Different types (and what’s still worth using) Best practices for IT teams How AI, phishing, and automation are shifting the landscape 🔍 Background After 15 years working in Identity and Access Management, I can confidently say: authentication is where security begins—or where it breaks down....

TL;DR Identity and Access Management (IAM) is the framework that ensures secure, efficient control over who (users, devices, or systems) can access what resources within an organization. For IT professionals, IAM is foundational to cybersecurity, compliance, and operational scalability. Core components include authentication, authorization, user lifecycle management, and auditing. Challenges like shadow IT and hybrid environments persist, but solutions like Zero Trust and AI-driven automation are rising. Bonus: Use GPT prompts for SEO to streamline policy documentation and access reviews....