What Is Identity Management?

Identity management is the practice of verifying user identities and controlling their access to an organization’s systems, applications and data.

Commonly used identity management measures include two-factor authentication, multi-factor authentication, single sign-on systems and privileged access management.

What Is the Role of Identity Management in Information Security?

Identity management and identity and access management (IAM) are critical to both information security and business operations, as IT teams oversee user access to company data.

Protecting data at any scale is essential to business continuity, and IAM addresses this need through layered security tools and frameworks that limit access to authorized users

Identity management uses methods like single sign-on, two-factor authentication and multi-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Privileged access management further strengthens security by limiting administrative privileges to specific users, supporting stricter access control and streamlining IT processes such as onboarding and offboarding.

Identity Management Tools

Identity management tools continue to evolve in capability and adoption, with commonly used solutions including multi-factor authentication and biometric verification. Many identity management tools exist and are often designed to be used in coordination with each other to provide a multifaceted approach to digital identity solutions.

At the center of each IAM system is an administrator who can monitor and modify access roles and permissions as needed. Through the use of single-sign on systems, two-factor authentication, multi-factor authentication and privileged access management, combined with a strict set of policies determining who has access to specific data, IAM administrators can maintain full control over their organization’s data access.

Additional types of digital authentication utilized in identity and access management include unique passwords, pre-shared keys, behavioral authentication and biometrics.

IAM vs. PAM: What’s the Difference?

IAM (identity and access management) and PAM (privileged access management) both provide support and play large roles in the identity security field, helping dictate permissions to data based on the user’s access status and role. They also both support the Principle of Least Privilege, ensuring users only have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their jobs.

However, the two do so in different ways and often for different audiences. 

IAM (Identity Access Management)

IAM manages access for all types of users — including employees, partners and customers — and governs what systems, applications or data they can reach. 

PAM (Privileged Access Management)

PAM governs elevated permissions for administrative users, restricting access to critical systems and sensitive functions.

Frequently Asked Questions