Editor's Note: Take a look at our featured best practice, Digital Transformation Strategy (145-slide PowerPoint presentation). Digital Transformation is being embraced by organizations across most industries, as the role of technology shifts from being a business enabler to a business driver. This has only been accelerated by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Thus, to remain competitive and outcompete in today's fast paced, [read more]
How Identity Management Can Help Solve Problems in Business
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Identity and access management systems are vital for organisations and allow businesses to regulate access to files and understand who is performing certain tasks.
IAM gives employees, business partners, customers, suppliers or contractors access to systems such as computers, programmes and apps to safely view, upload or edit confidential files a file while being monitored.
Authentication of User Access to Files
One of the main benefits of IAM is that employees don’t need to remember a unique password but can log into programmes quickly through multifactor authentication (MFA). Authentication apps enable users to confirm access to an account. This way, IT departments don’t need to deal with requests to reset passwords and approval happens immediately. Systems remain secure and projects can be completed without delays. Microsoft Authenticator is one of the apps that are available to use, but there are many other systems with similar benefits.
Staying Secure Online
“Security threats are constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated”, RMS, an external consultancy advisor for businesses, explains. “Often, they take advantage of poor identity management and unprotected credentials to gain access and move through networks and systems undetected. Furthermore, digital transformation and disruptions, such as the pandemic, throw chaos into business operations.” This makes automated access and management of digital services extremely important for businesses and allows companies to continue to show integrity to clients and stakeholders.
Alternative Problems That Can Be Solved by IAM
Identity management can do much more than provide safer access to documents. There are several alternative problems that IAM can solve. One of these is the monitoring of activities after the login stage. This means that the actions of a user can be tracked even after they have successfully logged into a programme. If a hacker gains access to login details, they can be monitored by administrators. In the case of a cyber security breach, it is much easier to understand what damage has been caused and which documents may have been viewed, stolen or changed. Businesses are much more likely to avoid secure, private or confidential information from being used illegally.
Transparency
IAM systems make monitoring user access much more transparent and less complicated. Solutions Review explains that ‘unless your business is truly small, you don’t generally have your HR head making financial decisions you don’t have your Sales Lead making changes to the IT department. Yet without proper control over your digital privileges, you might find blurred distinctions in your network’.
Identity and access management solutions provide a reliable way for businesses to keep track of access to certain documents and monitor who is viewing, changing or creating them.
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Digital Transformation is being embraced by organizations of all sizes across most industries. In the Digital Age today, technology creates new opportunities and fundamentally transforms businesses in all aspects—operations, business models, strategies. It not only enables the business, but also drives its growth and can be a source of Competitive Advantage.
For many industries, COVID-19 has accelerated the timeline for Digital Transformation Programs by multiple years. Digital Transformation has become a necessity. Now, to survive in the Low Touch Economy—characterized by social distancing and a minimization of in-person activities—organizations must go digital. This includes offering digital solutions for both employees (e.g. Remote Work, Virtual Teams, Enterprise Cloud, etc.) and customers (e.g. E-commerce, Social Media, Mobile Apps, etc.).
Learn about our Digital Transformation Best Practice Frameworks here.
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About Shane Avron
Shane Avron is a freelance writer, specializing in business, general management, enterprise software, and digital technologies. In addition to Flevy, Shane's articles have appeared in Huffington Post, Forbes Magazine, among other business journals.Top 10 Recommended Documents on Cyber Security
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