Oct 15, 2024 · 6 min read
Identity management has become the cornerstone of security in distributed systems. As the traditional network perimeter dissolves, identity serves as the new control plane for access decisions. Getting IAM right is foundational to security.
Single Sign-On (SSO) improves both security and user experience. By centralizing authentication, users have fewer passwords to manage (reducing weak password risk), and administrators have a single point for access control and audit. SAML and OIDC are the dominant protocols.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) assigns permissions based on job functions rather than individuals. This simplifies administration and ensures consistent access patterns. However, roles must be designed carefully to avoid overly broad permissions or role explosion.
Multi-factor authentication is non-negotiable for sensitive access. Beyond SMS codes (which are vulnerable to SIM swapping), hardware security keys or authenticator apps provide stronger assurance. Passwordless authentication using FIDO2 represents the future.
Just-in-time access and privilege escalation minimize standing privileges. Rather than granting permanent admin access, users request elevated permissions for specific tasks with automatic expiration. This reduces the attack surface if credentials are compromised.
Identity federation enables trusting external identity providers while maintaining control over authorization. This is essential for B2B scenarios and workforce identity with cloud services. Understanding trust relationships and attribute mapping is key.
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