Transforming IAM From Technology Burden to Business Advantage

Identity and access management (IAM) is often seen as a necessary but burdensome task for companies. However, this document challenges that perspective and argues that IAM can actually be a business advantage. It highlights the problems that arise from a "good enough" approach to IAM, such as lost partnerships and project delays. The document suggests shifting the mindset from compliance-focused IAM to IAM that aligns with business goals. It introduces a framework called Sentient IAM, which focuses on strategy, governance, people, culture, and technology. To measure the effectiveness of IAM, the document proposes looking at metrics that demonstrate the impact on digital projects, reduction of friction, return on investment, and operational risk. It also mentions a platform called Sentient IAM 360 as an example of a solution that can help track these business-focused metrics. The document concludes with a call to action, emphasizing the need for a business-first mindset, finding the rig Okay, so identity and access management, IAM. I mean, everyone's talking about it. It's supposed to be like the key to making our digital lives, well, easier and safer. But what if I told you that a lot of companies, the way they're doing IAM, it's actually holding them back? Yeah. And that's what we're diving into today with this document, Transform IAM from Technology Burden to Business Advantage. It really is. It's fascinating because it really challenges, how we think about IAM. Lots of companies think they're doing fine with it, like they're checking all the boxes, but they're missing something. Yeah, they're kind of in that good enough trap. Exactly. But this document's saying, hold on, good enough. That might actually be costing you in ways you haven't even thought about. Right, right. It's like that leaky faucet. You think it's fine, it's just a little drip, then bam, huge water bill. Yeah, and the document, it gives some real examples. There was this one company, they lost a big partnership because their onboarding was such a mess, all because of their ancient IAM system. The partner just got frustrated and walked away. Wow, that's a real world example of how good enough can actually hurt your bottom line. Definitely. And it's not just partnerships, right? The document talks about how inefficient IAM can really slow down important digital projects. Oh, absolutely. Imagine your team, super innovative team, ready to launch a new product, but they have to wait weeks just to get access to the systems and data they need. I mean, talk about lost time, lost money, and you lose that momentum. Right, it's like having this awesome sports car, but you're stuck in rush hour traffic. All that potential going nowhere. Exactly. And the document says those hidden costs, they go beyond just projects. They hit your teams, too. Oh, for sure. It talks about the strain on IT talent, spending all their time just patching up old systems instead of, well, using their actual skills. Then you have security teams just drowning in manual reviews. It's a recipe for burnout. It's like everyone's just treading water, trying to keep up. So it sounds like this good enough approach is actually causing a bunch of problems kind of rippling out across the whole organization. So if good enough is actually hurting us, what's the alternative? What's the better way? Well, the document, it talks about shifting our thinking. Moving away from seeing IAM as just a tech project, a box to check, and starting to see it as a real business advantage. Okay, so how do you actually do that? What does that look like? It's a big shift in mindset. The document is saying, stop just focusing on compliance. Start thinking about how IAM can help you actually reach your business goals. I like that. So it's not just about preventing the bad things. It's about actually using IAM to make good things happen. Exactly. And it asks some really thought-provoking questions. What if IAM could help you onboard partners faster? What if it made those acquisitions go smoother? You know, what if launching new services was actually, like, efficient? Okay, so it's like flipping the script. Instead of being the roadblock, IAM becomes the enabler. Precisely. Let's say you're going into a new market. Well, a good IAM system, it could automate all those compliance checks so you can launch faster, more confidently, and really grab that advantage. Now, that's what I'm talking about. It's not just keeping the bad guys out. It's about giving your business the power to move faster, grab those opportunities. This is really exciting stuff. So how do we make this shift happen? Like, what are the actual steps? Well, it introduces this framework called Sentient IAM, which focuses on four main areas, strategy, governance, people, and culture, and technology. So it's not just about throwing more tech at the problem. It's about a more well-rounded approach. Right. But then how do we know if it's actually working? What are we measuring? That's where it gets interesting, and that's what we'll dive into next. Okay, so we're talking about measuring, you know, how well this new approach to IAM is working. But this document, it says the way we usually measure IAM. It might not be telling us the whole story. Yeah, it's true. A lot of the traditional metrics, they focus on things that don't really matter to the people making the decisions. Like, who cares if your servers are up all the time, if your big product launch is delayed because of identity issues, right? Yeah, exactly. You're bragging about how organized your toolbox is, but your house is falling apart. Exactly. We need metrics that actually show the business value of IAM. So the document, it suggests looking at the impact on those big digital projects, how much friction is reduced, the return on investment, and how much operational risk is reduced. Okay, now you're speaking their language. Yeah. But how do we actually measure these things? Like, how do you quantify business friction? That's a great question. And the document, it does give some practical advice. Like, for those digital initiatives, you could track how long it takes to onboard new partners or launch new services. If your IAM system is streamlined and efficient, those timelines should get a lot shorter. So you're looking for real improvements that actually affect the business. What about that reduction of business friction? How would you track that? Think about all the little headaches people have when they deal with identity and access, waiting for approvals, resetting passwords, trying to figure out complicated systems. You could measure things like how many help desk tickets get submitted, how many password resets happen, or even like do surveys, see how happy people are. A good IAM system, it should make all those things go down. Less frustration, more getting things done. I like it. And of course, there's ROI. How do we make sure our IMM, you know, it's actually paying off? The document, it says to think beyond just saving money. Yeah, reducing IT costs is good, but you also need to think about how a good IAM system can help you bring in more revenue. Like can it help you get new customers? Can it help you launch products faster? Expand into new markets? That's the real ROI. So it's not just about saving money, it's about making money. Exactly. Got it. And finally, there's operational risk. What's IAM's role in that? A strong IAM system, it's really important for protecting data and making sure you're following all the rules. You can measure things like how many security incidents you prevent, how many problems you find in audits, or how long it takes to fix those vulnerabilities. If you manage IAM well, you can really reduce your risk. So it's about being proactive, building a more secure organization. Now, the document mentions this sentient IAM 360 platform. Does that connect to these new metrics we're talking about? Yeah, they highlight it as an example, like a solution that can help companies move past those old tech-focused metrics and start measuring what actually matters to the business. It's supposed to give you real-time insights into things like how users behave, what their access patterns are, and any risk indicators. That can be really valuable for making those big decisions. So it's not just about collecting data, it's about understanding what it means and using it to take action. Right. Okay, so let's be clear, we're not here to endorse any specific product. No, we're not. Our goal is to give you the information you need to make the best choices for your organization. The point is, there are tools out there that can help you track these new, business-focused IAM metrics. Exactly. So if you're convinced that this shift is necessary, how do you actually get started? Where do you begin? Well, the document, it lays out a call to action. It emphasizes that this isn't just a problem, it's an opportunity, like a chance to get a real competitive advantage. And it offers a few steps to get there. Okay, let's hear those steps. I'm ready to move past good enough and really see what IAM can do. The first step is, might seem obvious, but it's important. Shifting from that tech-first mindset to a business-first mindset. Figure out the business goals first, then see how IAM can support them. Don't start with the technology and try to make it fit. It's like, instead of looking at what ingredients you have and then deciding what to make, you decide on the dish first, then go get what you need. Perfect analogy. And the second step is finding that balance between strategy, governance, people, and technology. It's not just about getting the newest software, you need the right processes, a culture that values security and efficiency and the right people with the right skills. So it's about a more strategic approach. But what about the tech itself? That's where that part comes in. You gotta choose solutions that fit your goals, that can grow with your organization, and that are flexible enough to adapt to change. It's not one size fits all, it's finding what works for you. And of course, that third step is measuring what really matters to the business. We talked about that, but it's worth repeating. You have to be able to show the value of IAM in a way that makes sense to the people in charge. Otherwise, it's tough to get the support and resources you need to make changes. Absolutely. The document, it ends by mentioning an early access program for a new platform, but again, we're not here to promote anything specific. Right, we're here to help you explore your options and make the decision for your organization. But this call to action, it does bring up an important question. Are you using the resources and solutions that are out there? Yeah, you don't have to figure this out alone. There are experts, frameworks, technologies that can guide you, and that's what we'll look at in our final section. Okay, so we've talked about all the hidden costs of doing IAM the good enough way, and we've gone over some steps to make it more strategic, really tie it into your business goals. But you might be thinking, this is great and all, but where do I even start? What's the first thing I can do after listening to all this? Honestly, the biggest thing is just realizing that you can always improve. If IAM feels more like a headache than a helper, you're definitely not alone. But this isn't just about fixing tech, it's about looking at identity in a whole new way. Like how can it actually make your business better? It's about moving past good enough to great, or even like totally changing the game. Exactly. But how do we make that jump? You gotta start by asking some tough questions. Like are you stuck in that rut, just doing the bare minimum? Or are you actually setting yourself up for success? What are the big goals for your organization? And how can IAM help you get there? Yeah, you have to connect those dots. If you can't explain how IAM helps with the big picture, it's hard to get people on board, to get the resources you need. Exactly, and don't be afraid to look outside your company for ideas. There's so much out there, reports, best practices, even consultants and tech providers who can help. Right, you don't have to start from scratch. Learn from the people who've already done it. Exactly. See what worked for them. Yeah, and remember, this kind of transformation, it doesn't happen overnight. It takes a clear vision, a good plan, and being willing to keep improving. But it's worth it. So as we wrap up our deep dive here, one last thing to think about. What's one thing you could change, like right now, to start making your IAM work better for your business? It could be small, talking to a coworker, doing a little research online, or just taking a few minutes to think about what you're doing now and what you could do better. The important thing is to start moving in the right direction. Because in today's world, the companies that really get identity, those are the ones that are gonna succeed. Thanks for joining us on this deep dive. We hope it was helpful. See you next time.