Identity as a Service (IDaaS), IDaaS Vendors, and IDaaS Implementation

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Identity as a Service (IDaaS), IDaaS Vendors, and IDaaS Implementation

 

[IDaaS]

Identity as a Service (IDaaS) is an Identity and Access Management (IAM) service, provided through Software as a Service (SaaS).

IDaaS aims to provide and control access to files, ensuring that only those users who are authenticated and authorized have access to only the resources they are permitted to access at at any given point in time. In the long run, IDaaS reduces unauthorized accesses (from cyber criminals), reduces fraud, improves user experience by increasing efficiency and protects systems from breaches and hacks.

 

[IDaaS Vendors]

1. Okta – Offers Adaptive multi-factor authentication (MFA), Single sign-on (SSO) and Universal Directory.
2. Entrust – Offers Multi-factor authentication (MFA), Credential-based passwordless access and Single sign-on (SSO).
3. Microsoft Azure AD (Active Directory) – Offers Identity and Access Management (IAM), Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and Single sign-on (SSO).
4. LoginRadius – Offers Identity and Access Management (IAM), Multi-factor authentication (MFA), Passwordless authentication and Single sign-on (SSO).

 

IDaaS vendor similarities

a) Target market

IDaaS prividers usually target organizations and institutions that have large numbers of employees who need frequent, context-bound, limited access to resources. Some of the targeted industries include;
1. Government institutions
2. Education institutions
3. Healthcare institutions
4. Logistics companies
5. ITSM providers

b) Services

In the list of Identity as a Service (IDaaS) providers above, all the vendors have basic services that they offer, to fullfil the basic requirements of an IDaaS solution. These services include;
1. Identity and Access Management (IAM)
2. Multi-factor authentication (MFA),
3. Single sign-on (SSO)
4. Passwordless authentication

c) Structure of offers

All vendors have some common practices in terms of their services offers. They have all divided their services into packages, with each package being advertised as a bundle of a combination of the basic IDaaS services and advanced services. For instance, if a vendor has a basic package containing only SSO and Multi-factor authentication, this will be the cheapest package. The next package will have additional services like IAM and Passwordless authentication, and will in turn be more expensive than the former package. This trend is common with all the vendors, with packages even being availed for target industries.

 

[IDaaS Implementation]

1. Assess the current Identity and Access Management (IAM) situation – Evaluate the business needs, evaluate the IT infrastructure, and perform a thorough gap analysis to identify gaps in the current IT environment.
2. Evaluate the best Identity and Access Management (IAM) fit – Research on all state-of-the-art Identity as a Service (IDaaS) solutions to ensure the best possible security. In addition, evaluate the services offered by the IDaaS providers, comparing their prices, directory integrations, role-based access abilities, standards and downtime/availability.
3. Design and Implement an IDaaS solution – After the evaluation process produces the best candidate for implementation, decide on the stakeholders to involve in the process of implementation, create a strategy to implement the IDaaS and then categorically define the services to implement or leave out (e.g., Directory Access, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) integration, Multi-factor authentication (MFA), Single sign-on (SSO), etc.) before rolling out the strategy.

 

Identity as a Service (IDaaS), IDaaS Vendors, and IDaaS Implementation
Information Security | thetqweb