I once read that those who fail and those who succeed start out with the same goals. In the same way, successful and failed IAM programs often start with the same goals. So, what makes the difference in achieving IAM program success? The answer lies in the systems implemented, which include processes, tools, people, and strategies working together to achieve desired outcomes.
In this blog post, we discuss the importance of systems in IAM program success and the key elements to consider when setting them up.
Why Systems Matter in IAM Program Success
Production incidents, failed controls, etc are all outcomes (or events) that result from the systems in place. A production roll-out that leads to task failures which resulted in leavers (terminations), and not processing is one such undesirable outcome. It could have been caused by several reasons – syntax error in the newly deployed code, an incorrect code version deployed, a missed use-case during testing, etc.
In identifying the root causes of incidents, one important thought process is seeking out the gaps in the current system that needs to be addressed. It could be introducing mandatory code reviews, spacing out the timing of production deployments, leveraging an automated CI/CD pipeline for deployments, etc.
When setting up IAM systems, some processes/strategies to consider are:
- Following best practices – e.g locking down your production environment and enforcing proper change management procedures
- Establishing monitoring – That is, simple procedures (both automated and manual) that are performed on a regular basis to ensure the environment is stable and functioning as expected. For example, monitoring production task failures daily, sending out automated notifications/reports on failed access requests or lifecycle events, etc
- Documenting processes – simple notes/runbooks/how-to guides that your internal IAM support team can reference as/when required
- Enabling auditing – for added visibility into changes made to the IAM platform, by whom, and when
While goals are important in driving an IAM program, it’s the systems in place that determine its success. By focusing on developing effective systems, organizations can achieve their desired outcomes and mitigate potential issues.
Are you looking to optimize your IAM program’s systems for success?
Our expert team can help you implement best practices, monitoring, documentation, and auditing to ensure your IAM program thrives. Contact us today for a personalized consultation and let us assist you in creating a robust and effective IAM system.
