How Cloud-Based IAM can Drive Sustainability in Modern Organisations

In today’s world, sustainability is no longer just a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. Organizations across industries are striving to reduce their environmental footprint, meet regulatory requirements, and align with global sustainability goals like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While many focus on obvious areas like energy consumption and waste reduction, one often-overlooked avenue for improving sustainability is Identity and Access Management (IAM). Specifically, cloud-based IAM tools can play a significant role in helping organisations become more sustainable. Here’s how:

1. Reducing Energy Consumption with Cloud Efficiency

Traditional on-premises IAM solutions require significant physical infrastructure, including servers, cooling systems, and data centers, all of which consume large amounts of energy. By migrating to a cloud-based IAM tool, organisations can leverage the energy-efficient infrastructure of cloud providers.

• Shared Resources: Cloud providers operate at scale, optimising energy use across thousands of customers. This shared model reduces the overall energy consumption compared to individual on-premises setups.
• Renewable Energy: Leading cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure are committed to using renewable energy sources, further reducing the carbon footprint of your IAM operations.

2. Minimising Hardware Waste

On-premises IAM solutions often require frequent hardware upgrades and replacements, leading to electronic waste (e-waste). Cloud-based IAM tools eliminate the need for physical hardware, reducing e-waste and promoting a circular economy.

• No, or fewer On-Prem Servers: With cloud-based IAM, there’s no need to purchase, maintain, or dispose of servers, storage devices, or other hardware.
• Longer Lifespan: Cloud providers manage hardware lifecycle efficiently, ensuring that equipment is used to its full potential before being recycled responsibly.

3. Streamlining Operations with Automation

A cloud-based IAM tool with a powerful automation engine can significantly reduce the manual effort required for tasks like onboarding, offboarding, and access management. This not only improves efficiency but also contributes to sustainability.

• Reduced Paperwork: Automated workflows eliminate the need for paper-based processes, reducing paper waste and the environmental impact of printing.
• Energy Savings: Automation reduces the time employees spend on repetitive tasks, lowering the energy consumption associated with prolonged computer use.

4. Enabling Remote Work

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift toward remote work, and cloud-based IAM tools are essential for securely managing access in a distributed workforce. Remote work has a direct positive impact on sustainability.

• Reduced Commuting: By enabling secure remote access, cloud-based IAM tools help reduce the need for daily commuting, lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
• Smaller Office Footprints: Organizations can downsize their office spaces, reducing energy consumption for lighting, heating, and cooling.

5. Supporting Green IT Initiatives

Cloud-based IAM tools align with broader Green IT initiatives, which aim to reduce the environmental impact of technology. By adopting a cloud-based IAM solution, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.

• Carbon Reporting: Many cloud providers offer tools to track and report carbon emissions, helping organizations measure and reduce their environmental impact.
• Sustainable Practices: Cloud providers often adhere to strict sustainability standards, ensuring that their operations are environmentally responsible.

6. Enhancing Scalability Without Environmental Impact

As organisations grow, their IAM needs become more complex. Traditional on-premises solutions often require additional hardware and energy to scale, but cloud-based IAM tools offer scalable solutions without a corresponding increase in environmental impact.

• Elastic Resources: Cloud-based IAM tools can scale up or down based on demand, ensuring that resources are used efficiently.
• Pay-as-You-Go Model: Organizations only pay for what they use, avoiding the waste associated with over-provisioning hardware.

7. Improving Compliance with Sustainability Regulations

Governments and regulatory bodies are increasingly introducing sustainability requirements for businesses. A cloud-based IAM tool can help organisations meet these regulations by providing transparent, energy-efficient, and sustainable solutions.

• Data Transparency: Cloud providers often publish detailed reports on their energy use and sustainability practices, making it easier for organisations to demonstrate compliance.
• Efficient Resource Use: By optimising resource use, cloud-based IAM tools help organisations meet energy efficiency standards.

Real-World Example: A Sustainable IAM Transformation

Consider a mid-sized company with 1,000 employees that transitions from an on-premises IAM solution to a cloud-based IAM tool. Here’s the impact:

• Energy Savings: The company reduces its energy consumption by 30% by eliminating on-premises servers.
• E-Waste Reduction: By decommissioning 10 servers, the company prevents 2 tons of e-waste.
• Remote Work Enablement: Allowing 50% of employees to work remotely reduces commuting emissions by 100 metric tons of CO2 annually.
• Operational Efficiency: Automation saves 500 hours of manual work per year, reducing energy use and improving employee productivity.

Conclusion: A Greener Future with Cloud-Based IAM

Sustainability is a collective responsibility, and every step counts. By adopting a cloud-based IAM tool, organizations can significantly reduce their environmental impact while improving operational efficiency and security. From cutting energy consumption and e-waste to enabling remote work and supporting Green IT initiatives, cloud-based IAM is a powerful tool for driving sustainability.

As organisations continue to prioritise sustainability, cloud-based IAM solutions will play an increasingly important role in helping them achieve their goals. It’s not just about managing identities and access—it’s about building a greener, more sustainable future for all.