Identity & Access Management

Identity is the new perimeter. A robust IAM strategy is the foundation of digital trust and Zero-Trust architecture.

• Role-Based vs. Attribute-Based (RBAC vs ABAC): Move beyond static roles to dynamic attributes (e.g., granting access only if the user is on a corporate device during business hours).
• Phish-Resistant MFA: Rely on hardware tokens (FIDO2) or biometrics (WebAuthn) rather than easily intercepted SMS codes.
• Privileged Access Management (PAM): Securely vault administrative credentials and require just-in-time checkouts with session recording.

RBAC vs. ABAC in Practice

Single Sign-On and Federation

SSO centralizes authentication through an identity provider (IdP) using protocols like SAML or OIDC, so users authenticate once and gain access to every federated application without re-entering credentials. This isn't just convenience — it's a security control: a single point where MFA, conditional access, and session revocation are enforced consistently across every downstream app.

{
  "policy": "require-mfa-and-compliant-device",
  "conditions": {
    "applications": ["payroll-app", "admin-console"],
    "userRisk": "medium-or-higher"
  },
  "grantControls": {
    "requireMfa": true,
    "requireCompliantDevice": true,
    "blockLegacyAuth": true
  },
  "sessionControls": {
    "signInFrequencyHours": 4
  }
}

Privileged Access Management

Standing administrative access is one of the highest-value targets for attackers — a compromised admin credential with permanent access is far more dangerous than a compromised standard user account. PAM eliminates standing privilege by vaulting credentials and issuing them only for a bounded window.