Identity Security Program: A Must-Have for Enterprises

Introduction

As organizations increasingly embrace digital transformation, the escalating risks of data breaches and unauthorized access can cripple even the most innovative enterprises. Imagine a financial services firm amid a merger, where streamlining access for employees and partners is critical, or a healthcare provider struggling to secure patient records while ensuring quick access for caregivers.

The solution? A robust Identity Security Program.

This program safeguards digital identities across the organization, ensuring secure, compliant, and efficient access to sensitive data and systems. Besides, a robust Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) plays a pivotal role in managing digital identities and access rights throughout the enterprise.

What is an Identity Security Program?

An Identity Security Program systematically governs digital access across an organization. This framework ensures that only authorized users can access specific resources when needed. Built on Identity and Access Management (IAM) principles, it covers identity creation, authentication, authorization, and auditing processes.

Simply put, the program guarantees that the right individuals can access the right data at the right time.

For example, an Identity Security Program in a hospital setting allows doctors to retrieve patient records while restricting access to sensitive financial data to authorized personnel only.

Key Components of an Identity Security Program

• Identity Lifecycle Management : Create, manage, terminate digital identities - JML
• Access Management : Enable MFA/SSO for right resource access to the right users
• Privileged Access Management (PAM) : Secure high risk user accounts and admin privileges
• Compliance Management : Adherence to regulatory requirements
• Analytics and Monitoring : Analytics to highlight/alert security threats in identity landscape

IGA: A Two-Pronged Approach

At the heart of the Identity Security Program is IGA, which focuses on the governance and administration of digital identities. It encompasses two key areas:

• Identity Governance: Ensures visibility and control over digital identities by managing roles, attestation or proof, segregation of duties (SoD), reporting, and analytics. Access is aligned with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.
• Identity Administration: Addresses control issues by providing account and credential administration, resource (or access) provisioning and de-provisioning, and entitlement management. This practice ensures that identities are properly controlled throughout their lifecycle.

Benefits of IGA

• Improved Security : Prevent improper access by ensuring that users have appropriate permissions based on their roles and responsibilities
• Compliance Management : Automate compliance reporting and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements
• Operational Efficiency : Automates labor-intensive processes such as access certifications and provisioning, reducing operational costs
• Enhanced User Experience : Timely access to resources, enhancing user productivity and reducing IT support requests

Why IGA Matters

A robust Identity Security Program with strong IGA is about creating a smarter, more agile, and secure organization. Here’s how:

1. Stronger Security

• Risk Reduction: Restricts access to sensitive data and systems, lowering the risk of data breaches and unauthorized activities
• Threat Detection and Response: Enables continuous monitoring and analytics for early threat detection and rapid response 

2. Operational Agility

• Efficiency and Automation: Automates identity management tasks, reducing manual errors and freeing up IT resources for strategic initiatives
• Scalability: Manages a large number of identities and access points, making it ideal for  fast-growing organizations

3. Regulatory Compliance

• Regulatory Adherence: Maintains detailed audit logs and enforces policies to ensure compliance with industry regulations
• Audit Readiness: Simplifies compliance reporting, reducing the risk of penalties

4. Better User Experience

• Seamless Access: Enables seamless, secure access, enhancing productivity and user satisfaction
• Self-Service Capabilities: Empowers users to manage their access  independently, reducing IT support requests

Real-World Use Cases: How Identity Security and IGA Make an Impact

To understand how a strong Identity Security Program can make a difference, let’s look at how it applies in different sectors:

Financial Sector

1. For Employees and Contractors (B2E)

• Automates onboarding and offboarding during mergers and acquisitions, saving time and reducing costly manual errors

2. For Partners (B2B)

• Ensures smooth, secure data integration across multiple vendors, preventing security breaches and system downtime

3. For Customers (B2C)

• Provides a unified view of customer data and enhances transaction security with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), building trust and engagement

Healthcare Sector

1. For Employees and Contractors (B2E)

• Implements MFA for Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances (EPCS), reducing fraud risk and lowering Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
• Manages access to Electronic Health Records (EHR) efficiently, improving operational security and compliance

2. For Partners (B2B)

• Enables seamless access through Provider and Payer Portals, facilitating secure collaboration in research and development

3. For Patients (B2C)

• Ensures a secure onboarding process and provides a unified view of patient information, improving accessibility and patient satisfaction

The TechM Advantage

Tech Mahindra stands out with its end-to-end IAM/IGA implementation services, ensuring seamless integration into customers’ existing infrastructures. The strategy encompasses the entire identity lifecycle, from provisioning and de-provisioning to role-based and privileged access management, boosting security and operational efficiency.

With over a decade of experience, strong partnerships with top vendors, and a team of 200+ certified IAM engineers, Tech Mahindra helps organizations:

• Reduce Costs: Save up to 27% with efficient, managed service models
• Scale Globally: Gain from over 110 active global engagements (for end-to-end delivery) and 20+ international project rollouts
• Enhance Security and Efficiency: Leverage eight key business controls and a dedicated Center of Excellence for constant innovation
• Benefit from OEM Alliances:  Forge strategic partnerships with six leading OEMs and leverage in-house technology skills
• Experience Customer Excellence: Benefit from proven expertise, with an impressive average customer satisfaction rating of 4.7/5

Conclusion

Today, an organization can no longer afford to overlook identity security. A strong Identity Security Program with IGA safeguards digital identities, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency. By automating identity governance, enhancing threat detection, and providing seamless user experiences, enterprises can mitigate security risks while boosting agility and innovation.

Tech Mahindra recognizes the critical need. Deep expertise, strategic partnerships, and end-to-end IAM/IGA solutions empower enterprises to stay secure, compliant, and agile.