Employees, customers, students and partners often need access to an organisation’s digital systems. But how can an organisation ensure that each person only accesses the information and services they are authorised to use?
This is the purpose of Identity and Access Management (IAM).
What Is Identity and Access Management?
Identity and Access Management (IAM) is a combination of technologies, policies and processes used to manage digital identities and control access to systems, applications and information.
In simple terms, IAM helps organisations ensure that the right people have the right access at the right time.
For example, an organisation may allow its finance team to access financial records while restricting those records from employees who do not need them.
How Does IAM Work?
IAM generally involves four important processes:
1. Identity management: Creating and maintaining digital identities for employees, customers, students and other users.
2. Authentication: Verifying that a person is who they claim to be, usually through passwords, security keys, biometrics or other credentials.
3. Authorisation: Determining which systems, files and functions an authenticated user is permitted to access.
4. Access management: Assigning, reviewing, changing and revoking permissions as people’s roles and responsibilities change.
Authentication and authorisation are different. Authentication confirms identity; authorisation determines what that identity is allowed to do.
Important IAM Features
An IAM solution may include:
- Single Sign-On (SSO): Allows users to access multiple connected applications after signing in through a central identity provider.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Requires additional verification beyond a password.
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Assigns permissions according to a user’s organisational role.
- User Provisioning: Creates and configures accounts when access is required.
- Access Revocation: Removes or updates permissions when a person leaves or changes roles.
- Audit and Monitoring: Records relevant access activities to support security reviews and investigations.
The features available depend on the selected platform and how it is configured.
Why Do Organisations Need IAM?
A properly implemented IAM system can help organisations:
- Reduce unnecessary access to sensitive information.
- Manage user accounts from a more centralised system.
- Improve the sign-in experience through SSO.
- Strengthen account security with MFA.
- Simplify employee onboarding and offboarding.
- Support security monitoring and accountability.
IAM is particularly valuable when an organisation uses several applications, has different categories of users or manages sensitive information.
What Is Keycloak?
Keycloak is an open-source identity and access management platform.
It provides features such as single sign-on, user management, identity brokering, authentication flows and support for standards including OpenID Connect and SAML.
Organisations can use Keycloak to connect supported applications to a central identity provider rather than building every authentication feature independently.
Its suitability depends on the organisation’s applications, infrastructure, security requirements and technical capacity.
Explore the official Keycloak documentation for more information.
How to Choose an IAM Solution
Before implementing an IAM platform, consider:
- How many users and applications need access management?
- Does the solution support your existing applications?
- Does it provide SSO and MFA where required?
- Can permissions be assigned according to user roles?
- Can access be reviewed and revoked easily?
- Is the platform suitable for your hosting and maintenance resources?
- Are backups, monitoring and security updates properly planned?
An IAM platform is not automatically secure simply because it has advanced features. Correct configuration, regular maintenance and sound access policies are essential.
IAM Solutions with TeckWik Technologies
TeckWik Technologies works with open-source digital technologies to help organisations develop and manage their digital infrastructure.
Our identity and security systems provide a starting point for organisations exploring identity management and access control solutions.
Whether you are planning a new application, connecting multiple systems or improving how users access organisational resources, the right architecture should be based on your operational and security requirements.
Visit our services page or contact TeckWik to discuss your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the main purpose of IAM?
IAM manages digital identities and controls access to applications, systems and information, ensuring users receive appropriate permissions.
2. What is the difference between IAM and authentication?
Authentication is one part of IAM. It verifies a user’s identity, while IAM also manages permissions, accounts and access throughout their lifecycle.
3. Is Keycloak an IAM solution?
Yes. Keycloak is an open-source identity and access management platform that supports features such as SSO, authentication and identity federation.
4. Is IAM only for large organisations?
No. Small businesses, schools, NGOs and growing organisations can benefit from IAM, particularly when they manage multiple applications or different categories of users.
5. Does IAM guarantee complete security?
No. IAM can strengthen access controls, but it must work alongside other security measures, including secure application development, monitoring, backups, patching and incident response.
Conclusion
As organisations depend on more digital systems, managing user identities and permissions becomes increasingly important.
Identity and Access Management provides a structured way to control access, improve accountability and support better security practices.
Choosing the right solution and implementing it correctly can help an organisation build a more secure and manageable digital environment.
