At the core of every business is a network carrying sensitive information about its employees, customers, operations, and more.
That data is being accessed by different people through a variety of devices and software every single day.
User Identity Management, sometimes known as User Access Management, is there to ensure these network activities are done by the correct users in line with company policy.
Everyday Challenges of User Identity Management
User Identity Management is a set of technologies and policies which grant or revoke user access to company network assets, such as carried data and integrated apps.
In broader terms, the job of User Identity Management is to make sure everyone has access they need, and no one has access they don’t need.
This is done by carefully drafting company data and resource policies, and enforcing them with the correct software and safety practices.
The first challenge of your identity management protocols is keeping a balance between practicality and security.
In today’s day and age of fast-traveling information, users expect reasonably quick access and ways to self-identify themselves to the network.
Nobody likes to waste their time retyping usernames and passwords and proving they’re not a robot.
Another common challenge facing identity management is making sure different types of devices can access the network at the same time.
While most digital work and entertainment is still done using computers, rapidly improving mobile devices are slowly becoming predominant.
Having access to key network features on the go is especially important now, with remote work taking the world by storm.
What you should look to do is transition your network to a cloud-based environment supported by the right set of apps.
Probably the biggest challenge of User Identity Management is creating a seemingly effortless flow of information while maintaining a high level of cyber-security.
Cyber Security and User Identity Management
IT managers know that users are the biggest security risk to any network.
That’s not because any of them have ill intent, a well-rounded company policy is there to prevent that.
Improper user and access management can leave your network exposed unintentionally.
Most of the time, this isn’t even the user’s fault.
Plenty of mistakes come from bad User Identity Management protocols:
- Giving too much access to one account or device
- Failure to set up two-factor authentication where necessary
- Complicated/long processes for removing compromised accounts/devices
- Lack of transparency within company policy
- Not performing regular User Access Audits
On one hand, it’s easy to set up as many protective barriers as you can and call it a day.
However, this can leave users with their information locked behind too many unnecessary doors.
- For customers, this can become frustrating to the point where they will look for more simple solutions, resulting in you losing their business
- For employees, this can slow down their work progress, which can result with them looking for and exploiting shortcuts that carry security risks
Cyber-security experts will tell you that breaches coming from inside the network can cause more damage quicker and evade detection longer.
Compromised accounts or devices with one too many access privileges are gold mines for network threats.
This is why well-structured identity management protocols and clear-cut user access policies must be in place and regularly updated.
Common User Identity Management Problems and Their Solutions
1. Too many passwords
Having one too many passwords to keep track of, resulting in forgetting, is not uncommon in this day and age. The correct solution is an SSO (single sign-on) user platform.
2. Weak authentication protocols
Passwords are just not enough anymore. Failure to set up multifactor authentication, such as 2FA is a security risk. The correct solution is software that can set up and enforce additional authentication.
3. Managing all types of devices
Different network users will have different sets of devices they need access from. The correct solution is moving your data to a cloud-based network with accompanying software.
4. Easily granting and revoking access
The process of requesting and gaining access should not take too much of your employees’ or managers’ time. The correct solution is a dashboard that gives a clear overview of who has access to what with the ability to make quick changes.
The best solution for all of these problems is to have one app which can take care of everything for you.
AppsCo One has all the IT management tools you need
Now you can manage your company’s devices and app access from ONE secure platform.
Here’s what AppsCo One can do for you
- Grant and revoke access to resources and apps to employees/customers with one click
- Transition your data and apps to cloud-based using network provisioning
- Remove the chance of password theft using SSO
- Integrate popular work software into the SSO dashboard
- Improve security through IP whitelisting/blacklisting, 2FA setup, and remote login control
- Get insights and stats regarding resource and app usage
- Quickly identify network access attempts and mark devices as safe or unsafe
- Split the dashboard into internal (employees) and external (customer) databases for more clarity
- Integrate company policy and keep compliances up to date through the app, and more
