The expansion of cloud-based operations and remote work continues to impact businesses, pushing cybersecurity firms to find ways to enhance companies’ control and monitoring capabilities, particularly that of privileged users. According to Alex Bovee, who serves as the CEO and co-founder of identity and access management (IAM) provider ConductorOne, there has been a scramble among firms to adopt a wide range of cloud services and on-premise applications in the rush to keep pace with the evolving industry. However, this has led to an increasingly complex and disorganized digital landscape, leaving crucial identity information vulnerable to potential security breaches.
ConductorOne offers a platform called Access Fabric that aims to address this issue by centralizing identity information from various cloud platforms and on-premise applications. This, in turn, allows businesses to not only monitor identities across the organization but also automate and control the provisioning and detection of anomalies. It is clear that the consolidation of identity information is of utmost importance as companies utilize nearly 100 different applications on average, making it increasingly challenging to manage and monitor identities and access. Additionally, the root cause of most data breaches often points to stolen credentials, highlighting the significance of IAM in preventing these incidents and reducing related costs.
Geogg Cairns, a principal analyst with Forrester Research, stresses the increasing complexities associated with managing IAM across private environments and multiple cloud providers. The evolving dynamic nature of cloud identities coupled with remote work trends presents additional challenges. This complex scenario requires comprehensive solutions to streamline identity and access management while adapting to these modern workplace dynamics.
The Cloud Security Alliance also emphasizes the critical role of IAM in preventing security threats. However, a report released in December revealed that despite the significance of IAM and privileged access management (PAM), the implementation of these solutions is hampered by factors such as cost, especially during economic downturns.
To ensure that IAM and PAM are effectively implemented within their organizations, businesses should prioritize digital security and establish well-defined plans and processes. Sean Heide, technical research director at the Cloud Security Alliance, emphasizes the need for companies to have a proactive strategy in place before deploying PAM solutions to mitigate any potential negative impacts, such as loss of access or disruptions.
Consequently, businesses should not only focus on the technological solutions available but also on the alignment of their cloud plans with respect to their overarching strategies. It is crucial for companies to prioritize their unique priorities and processes, rather than being led solely by technology trends. By establishing manageable milestones and ensuring secure authentication and authorization routes, companies can fortify their defense against modern cyber threats.
ConductorOne’s Access Fabric has been developed with a goal to provide businesses with visibility into their identity and access data. By consolidating this data into a single layer, the platform enables organizations to access and establish granular access controls. This provides invaluable insights into who has access to certain resources and the authorization paths that have granted them access. By understanding these vital details, businesses can bolster their defenses against modern cyber threats.
Ultimately, it is clear that the ever-evolving digital landscape necessitates a more proactive and careful approach to identity and access management. As the modern workplace continues to evolve, organizations must reflect on their best practices and solutions to ensure a robust shield against cyber threats. By placing IAM and PAM at the forefront of their strategies and incorporating their cloud plans into this framework, businesses can effectively secure their digital infrastructure while adapting to the changing landscape.