There are few companies and organisations that don't see the benefits of automation today. It creates predictability and ensures that repetitive tasks are handled with greater reliability and predictability. At an overarching level, automation helps businesses become far more resilient, while freeing up precious human resources. A high degree of automation is natural for most businesses to strive for, especially when it comes to managing identities, access and rights.
But what does this journey look like in practice? And where is your company on the maturity curve? This article will give you a good framework for evaluating where you are today and what the road ahead might look like.
The different stages of IAM and automation maturity
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All businesses and organisations work with identity and access management in one way or another. Even if there are no defined processes or sophisticated cloud-based automation solutions in place, the identity of your employees will be at the heart of the access and rights granted. From personal data stored in your payroll and HR systems to user account generation for digital tools and workspaces. Even physical access to offices or premises needs to be linked to the employee's identity, and depending on their role(s) and responsibilities, your employees need to have the right access, to the right resource, at the right time.
Identity and access management (IAM) in conjunction with automation are critical components for the IT security and efficiency of your organisation. However, the level of maturity in these areas varies considerably from company to company, from basic manual processes to advanced automated and integrated systems. This article will give you an overview of the different stages of maturity a company can be in when it comes to IAM and automation:
- Basic (Manual Processes)
- Repeatable (Standardised Processes)
- Defined (Automation)
- Leading (Advanced Automation and Integration)
- Optimised (Integration and Innovation)
1. Basic (Manual Processes)
Basic IAM implementation can be considered as the stage where tasks related to identity and access management are handled manually. The processes around this may be fully or partially documented, but the work is carried out by one or more employees. This is the most basic level of identity and access management that most small businesses will recognize.
Investing in IAM-related expertise is rarely worthwhile for a young or small business, but even in the basic segment, elements of IAM will be in use. For example, built-in automation that is "bundled" with cloud-based software solutions. Where employees can reset their password to gain access to Microsoft Office 365 or Google Workspace.
This level of maturity is defined by:
Basic Processes
Companies in this stage often have basic IAM functions in place, such as manual user registration and password management. These processes are rarely well documented and are thus vulnerable to errors.
Little automation
The processes require significant manual handling, with little to no automation.
Security risks
Human error due to manual operations occurs, leading to increased security risks for the company. A common example is that employees retain access and rights long after their employment has ended.
Traceability
Limited to no traceability or logging of access and user activities.
2. Repeatable (Standardised Processes)
By the time you reach the development phase, the company has realised that a higher degree of automation is appropriate. This may be due to an increase in the number of employees, a greater degree of complexity when it comes to work situations (office, hybrid, remote) or a greater number of digital tools in use.
Whatever the reason, companies in this stage will begin to understand the need for a higher level of automation, but the work on automation has a project-oriented nature and addresses needs as they arise.
In this stage you often see:
Policies and Procedures
Basic policies and procedures for IAM have been established, but they may not be fully implemented or automated.
Some Automation
Some elements of IAM, such as account creation, are semi-automated but still require significant manual effort.
Improved Control
Better control with some levels of logging and reporting, but the approach is still reactive rather than proactive.
3. Defined (Automation)
In this phase, the company has invested in a cloud-based IAM solution such as eADM. The company's most resource-intensive processes are automated first, to realise benefits as quickly as possible. The all-important foundation is built in this phase, enabling more extensive automation and innovation in the long run.
Companies in this phase will eventually see major improvements in efficiency, while becoming better equipped for further expansion and growth. The work with automation is proactive in nature and the company works systematically and strategically with IAM and automation.
Integrated IAM solution
The introduction of integrated IAM solutions that support automation for a number of tasks related to user identity and access management has been done and is under further development.
Automated workflows
Automated workflows for user lifecycle, access requests, approvals and rights audits.
Proactive Security
Systematic approach to security risks with proactive monitoring and response.
4. Leading (Advanced Automation and Integration)
Self-service and delegation are important keywords for companies at this level of maturity. Effective delegation and control ensure that convenience and security are in balance. Integrations with corporate systems ensure that the right person has the right access, at the right time - while at the same time having far better control over the identities and access granted.
Self-service and delegation allow the company to operate under optimal conditions to achieve high efficiency. Department managers will have the mandate to make changes when exceptions are required, while the IAM solution makes it easy to implement such changes within the framework defined by the company.
An example of this is when a department manager in health and care can give the employee access to professional systems that are used in health and care, but it will not be possible, for example, for them to give access to professional systems that include economy and finance.
Advanced IAM with AI/ML
Uses advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to improve user behaviour analysis and threat detection.
Self-service and delegation
Facilitates extensive self-service capabilities for end users to manage their own access and passwords. Delegates responsibility for identity and access management out into the organisation so that, for example, department managers can make changes themselves within a given framework.
Integration with enterprise systems
Tight integration with enterprise systems for seamless and secure access management across the entire organization.
5. Optimised (Integration and Innovation)
Companies and organisations in this category exhibit several key characteristics in their behaviour and approach to IT security, workflows and business processes. Further development in this stage focuses on continuous innovation, proactive risk management, and tight integration with business objectives. Here are some details on how these companies operate and what to expect from their IAM and automation:
Innovative approach to IAM
Organisations that have achieved this level of maturity are looking to innovate and improve IAM solutions through the use of new technologies. Examples include blockchain for digital identity, Zero Trust architectures, and artificial intelligence for dynamic risk assessment.
Fully integrated into the business
IAM is no longer just an IT function, but an integral part of business strategy, supporting new business models and initiatives such as digital transformation and scalable growth.
Extensive use of automation
Pervasive automation of IAM tasks, including advanced user self-service portals for access management, dynamic access policies based on context and behaviour, and integrated response strategies for security threats.
Further progress and innovation
The journey towards an industry-leading IAM and automation framework is challenging, but offers unprecedented opportunities once you reach this stage. When you first realise the potential of a robust and customised IAM solution, cost reduction, higher levels of automation and improved IT security are often the motivating factors. As the organisation reaches a higher level of maturity, innovative use cases emerge, which only become possible when you have a deeper understanding and robust architecture as a foundation.
In the earlier stages of an IAM and automation journey, it is natural to focus on the areas where the cost/benefit ratio is the highest. This will free up internal resources as a result of automation and shift the focus from repetitive tasks to a more long-term and strategic perspective. It's only when you reach the later stages that you are in a position to create huge competitive advantages.
When you get to the point where progress and innovation are in focus, questions such as "How do we ensure that our employees automatically get the right access, to the right tool, at the right time?" have long since given way to issues such as "What opportunities can we create with the use of machine learning and Artificial Intelligence in our identity ecosystem?".
Technology is often a necessary enabler for higher levels of maturity when it comes to IAM and automation, but it's important to remember that it is people who develop the level of maturity in your organisation. It is therefore important to remember that it is not necessarily the latest technology that will bring you closer to your goal, but the right combination of people, processes and technology.
For each maturity level, it is important for a company to consider both the technical and organisational aspects of IAM and automation. Choosing the right technologies and strategies that support your company's security requirements and business goals, while moving towards increased automation and integration, is the key to success.
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