IAM Definition
Identity and access management (IAM) in enterprise IT is about defining and managing the roles and access privileges of individual network entities (users and devices) to a variety of cloud and on-premises applications. Users include customers, partners and employees; devices include computers, smartphones, routers, servers, controllers and sensors. The core objective of IAM systems is one digital identity per individual or item. Once that digital identity has been established, it must be maintained, modified and monitored throughout each user’s or device’s access lifecycle.
Thus, the overarching goal of identity management is to grant access to the enterprise assets that users and devices have rights to in a given context. That includes onboarding users and systems, permission authorizations, and the offboarding of users and devices in a timely manner.