Identity and Access Management Security

Identity and Access Management (IAM) is a critical cybersecurity field seeking to ensure that people and systems can safely and efficiently utilize the resources they need while protecting sensitive data. Surveying the major products in this field of security, we begin with Workforce and Customer Identity Access Management, which focus on real-time, user-level authentication by granting or denying entry to applications and data. Another critical function is Identity Governance and Administration (IGA), which compiles and manages digital identities by defining roles and setting appropriate levels of access across IT systems. Privileged Access Management (PAM) strives to protect high level IT accounts capable of making sweeping changes, which raise the risk of extensive harm from threat actors. Cloud Infrastructure Entitlements Management (CIEM) has risen in tandem with cloud migration to secure these external environments at scale, while Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) works to find and mitigate identity-based threats as they are detected. Finally, Non-Human Identities (NHI), which extend digital access to bots, workloads, and IoT devices, are now a particular concern for many enterprises given they are estimated to vastly outnumber their human counterparts at an estimated ratio of 20 to 50 NHIs per human identity.

The IAM Security market is a host to stiff competition for established security vendors and new entrants alike. In ETR's recent Identity and Access Management Security Observatory report, top contenders such as Microsoft Entra, Okta, and CyberArk stand out for their strong momentum and presence in the field.

The report categorizes vendors across different categories, reflecting their momentum and presence within the Identity and Access Management Security space:

Then, you mix in cloud operations. We've taken a very conservative approach to cloud computing, but as we roll more applications out to the cloud, we want to feel comfortable that our identity management is stretched out to that environment as well. We're looking to consolidate vendors where possible and have solid identity management, but also have a reasonable user experience.

Cloud computing, decentralized architectures, and on-demand software have transformed cybersecurity, making identity verification across vast networks a top priority. With workforce and customer access spanning numerous applications, integrating critical identity tools is essential for a dynamic defense. Identity-based breaches occur frequently, inflicting financial and reputational damage across industries, while the rise of non-human entities and generative AI amplifies risks. Traditional role-based access is inadequate, driving next-gen IAM solutions that leverage automation, AI-led enforcement, and continuous monitoring. A strategic IAM approach is crucial to safeguarding assets, mitigating threats, and ensuring resilience, reinforcing identity as the cornerstone of enterprise security.