In a world where access to information, services, and resources is increasingly digitised, the concept of identity management has gained importance. Identity Management System (IDMS) has emerged as the foundation of secure and efficient digital interactions. What exactly is Identity Management System and what are its common applications?
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Identity Management System defined
An Identity Management System (IDMS) is a comprehensive framework that facilitates the administration and control of digital identities of individuals, employees, customers, partners, or any entity interacting within a digital ecosystem. An IDMS system contains processes, technologies, and policies that govern the lifecycle of these identities, starting from creation and authentication to access control and retirement.
These solutions offer user authentication through various methods, including multi-factor authentication (MFA) and biometrics, while Single Sign-On (SSO) simplifies access to multiple applications. Other useful functions include provisioning and lifecycle management, automating account creation, modification, and deactivation in alignment with roles.
IDMS is used in various sectors, including security, finance, healthcare, government, and telecommunications.
What are the components of an IDMS system?
At the heart of an IDMS system lies the process of identity creation, involving the initial registration of individuals or entities into the system. This process itself focuses on capturing personal information, assigning unique identifiers, and verifying the authenticity of the provided data.
Authentication is the most crucial part of the IDMS system, and it involves verifying the claimed identity of users before granting access to resources. It’s a protection of information giving access to only authorised individuals. This is when authorisation begins, right after the identity is confirmed.
One of the most useful features is Single Sign-On (SSO), allowing users to access multiple applications or services with a single set of credentials, such as usernames and passwords. Users appreciate the fact that they don’t need to remember and enter different login credentials for each application used.
The system works quite easy – once a user successfully logs in to one application, their identity is authenticated and securely verified, giving them access to other services within the same environment without the need to re-enter the credentials.
It’s also important to provide access to new users (provisioning) and remove access from departing users (de-provisioning), to protect the data. In this case, the roles differ and are assigned to various access levels, Role-based Access Control (RBAC) goes into action.
Significance of Identity Management System
IDMS has a multitude of functions, controlling the access to data and protecting it from unauthorised use. It gives options to users enhancing their experience, making it faster and simpler.
It’s also crucial to comply with data privacy regulations, which IDMS plays a crucial role in. In the case of an audit, there is great transparency and accountability.
Finally, IDMS gives the opportunity to allocate resources efficiently, granting access in the given role. The tool categorises users into roles, and each role is associated with specific access rights.
