IAM

Evolution of IAM: Past, Present, and Future

Exploring the growth of Identity and Access Management and how IAM Experts is shaping its future.

Published: 23 October 2024 

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Growing With the Industry

Our Approach

What We Offer

Current Trends

The field of Identity and Access Management (IAM) has seen remarkable transformation over the past two decades. In the early 2000s, the concept of IAM wasn’t even formally recognised. Back then, it relied on basic, often manual, access control mechanisms, managed through disconnected systems. As the digital world continued to expand and cybersecurity threats evolved in scope and complexity, the need for a structured approach to managing digital identities became undeniable.

A Brief History of IAM

IAM began as a response to the growing complexity of IT environments. Early solutions focused on enabling employees to securely access internal systems. Over time, three key domains developed under the IAM umbrella, shaping how we think about digital identity today:

Identity Governance & Administration (IGA)

IGA ensures that organisations can effectively manage who has access to what, improving compliance and enabling better decision-making.

Privileged Access Management (PAM):

Focused on protecting sensitive accounts with elevated access, such as those used by administrators, PAM emerged as a response to insider threats and high-profile breaches.

Access Management (AM)

This domain manages and enforces user access to systems and applications in real time, ensuring that the right individuals have access to the right resources at the right time.

Customer Identity & Access Management (CIAM)

 With the rise of e-commerce and digital services, CIAM addresses how businesses manage and secure customer identities while enhancing user experiences.

IAM Experts: Growing With the Industry

Founded in 2008, IAM Experts has been at the forefront of this evolution. Our journey started with Anthony Mornet’s vision of a disruptive methodology for tackling IAM challenges. With over 150 projects completed across 22 countries, we’ve federated a global team of 360+ specialists who bring decades of experience and a vendor-agnostic approach to solving IAM complexities.

From those early days when IAM solutions were rudimentary, we’ve partnered with organisations to adopt best practices and cutting-edge technologies. Today, we proudly offer expertise across IGA, PAM, AM, and CIAM, helping businesses navigate an ever-changing landscape.

Our Approach

At IAM Experts, our approach is customer-centric and vendor-agnostic. We collaborate closely with clients, assessing their IAM maturity, conducting technical audits, and defining strategic roadmaps aligned with industry best practices. Our diverse team, fluent in over 5 languages and based across four continents, ensures we can deliver projects globally with cultural sensitivity and local expertise.

What We Offer

Through our comprehensive range of services, we empower organisations to strengthen their IAM strategies:

  • Advisory Services: From maturity assessments to vendor selection support, we guide you in optimising your IAM capabilities.
  •  Implementation Services: We provide technical support, maintenance, and seamless application on-boarding to enhance your IAM infrastructure.
  •  Managed Services: Our project management, change management, and governance solutions ensure the successful implementation and ongoing management of your IAM initiatives.

Current Trends in IAM

IAM continues to adapt to emerging trends and challenges. Key areas shaping the future include:

  • Zero Trust Security Models: Verifying every access request, regardless of location or role, is now a standard for mitigating threats.
  • AI and Automation: Leveraging AI for anomaly detection and automating access reviews are revolutionising efficiency and security.
  • Cloud-Native IAM: As businesses move to the cloud, IAM strategies are evolving to meet the demands of hybrid environments.

Focus on User Experience: Balancing security with seamless user access is more critical than ever, particularly in CIAM strategies.

As IAM continues to evolve, organisations need experienced partners with deep expertise to navigate the complexities of modern identity management. 

Over the years, we have proven to be a valuable and trusted partner, consistently excelling in securing our clients’ assets. This trust is reflected in the fact that 93% of our clients return to us for our unmatched expertise and high-quality service. We remain dedicated to empowering businesses by delivering tailored solutions that address today’s challenges while preparing them for the future.

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IAM Experts purposely remain agnostic of technology vendors while providing Advisory Services.
We work and develop expertise with market leaders as well as upcoming vendors which we dedicate time to research and analyse.

Please get in touch with us to find out more about the vendors we recommend for specific use cases.