IAM is a discipline focused on managing identities and securing access across users, systems, applications, and AI-driven environments.Why IAM matters
Growing complexity across cloud and SaaS environments
Limited visibility into identities and access
Manual and inefficient access management
Increasing use of AI and non-human identities
How IAM strengthen security, access, and control
Modern environments extend beyond traditional network boundaries. IAM enables a Zero Trust approach by continuously verifying identities and access requests, ensuring secure access without adding friction. Traditional perimeter-based security is no longer sufficient in cloud and SaaS-driven environments.
Manual onboarding and access management are time-consuming and error-prone. IAM integrates with HR and business systems to automatically manage access throughout the entire lifecycle.
Excessive access rights increase the risk of breaches. IAM enforces least privilege and helps ensure that users and systems only have access to what they need.
IAM enables secure access across applications through Single Sign-On (SSO) and centralized policies, making it easier to scale and manage modern IT environments.
Organizations need a complete overview of identities and access across systems. IAM provides visibility into how identities are connected and where risk exists. This includes managing access for AI and non-human identities.
Complex login processes, manual onboarding, legacy VPN solutions, and inconsistent identity data create unnecessary friction for both users and IT teams. IAM enables seamless and secure access across applications while improving automation, usability, and operational efficiency.
Core IAM capabilities
Single Sign-On (SSO)
Enables seamless access across applications with a single login.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Adds an extra layer of security to protect user identities.
Access requests and approvals
Enables users to request access and ensures proper approval workflows.
Identity Lifecycle Management
Automates onboarding, role changes, and offboarding through integration with HR and business systems.
Privileged Access Management (PAM)
Control and monitor access to critical systems and sensitive data.
Identity Governance and Administration (IGA)
Automates provisioning and ensures compliant access.
Identity federation and trusted access
Enables secure access across systems and organizations through trusted identity relationships.
Manage AI and machine identities
Controls and secures access for AI agents, services, and non-human identities.
Adaptive authentication and risk-based access
Enables secure access across systems and organizations through trusted identity relationships.
Norwegian Air Shuttle improves security and efficiency with Okta IAM
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The airline replaced manual identity management with a modern Okta IAM solution, supported by Cloudworks, improving security, automating user lifecycle processes, and strengthening access control.
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What is Identity and Access Management (IAM)?
Learn what Identity and Access Management (IAM) is, why it matters, and how organizations use IAM to manage access across increasingly complex environments.
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