Managing identities across the ­organisation

Access & Identity Management Handbook 2015 Access Control & Identity Management, Information Security

Identity management (IDM) is essentially the management and administration of individual identities within a system, such as a business or a network.

“Everyone has a digital presence of sorts,” says Gerald Naidoo, CEO of Logical Consulting. “This could be social media such as Facebook or Twitter, it could be emails, online accounts and suchlike. This digital presence is effectively our digital identity. Within the business word, it is the organisational identity that is important, as it is defines users within the frame of the business.”

Gerald Naidoo, CEO of Logical Consulting.
Gerald Naidoo, CEO of Logical Consulting.

He says this collection of unique characteristics that define each of us helps the technical department to manage and maintain the business systems, by having a single identity or view of each individual within the company.

“Identity management (IDM) is crucial to an organisation’s security and productivity initiatives. By using an IDM tool, businesses can protect their networks and proprietary information, as well as their applications, all while lowering complexity and costs.”

In addition, Naidoo says IDM is core to ensuring that the business networks are secure, and that all the organisation’s stakeholders, from staff, to management, to third-party partners have access to the resources they need. “Without IDM, this process would be far too onerous and complex. Add to this the issue of compliance and liability pertaining to protecting customers’ data, and you can see why having an IDM solution is not a ‘nice to have’ but a ‘must have’.”

How IDM systems work

Describing how IDM systems work, Naidoo says they provide technical departments with a central platform for managing identities, and also feature a number of tools, including password generators and device management systems. “A good IDM tool enables IT departments to centrally manage user accounts, user authorisations and user groups by using a convenient, Web-based management system.”

One such tool, Oracle Identity Management, which Logikal has recently become certified in, is a complete and integrated identity management platform that offers unprecedented scalability; enabling businesses to achieve rapid compliance with regulatory mandates. It also secures sensitive applications and data regardless of whether they are hosted on-premises or in a cloud, and it reduces operational costs.

Naidoo says it includes several features. “One of these is access management, which gives clients the flexibility to deploy a comprehensive solution delivering authentication, single sign-on, authorisation, federation, mobile and social sign-on, identity propagation, and risk-based authentication and authorisation at the network perimeter.”

In addition, Oracle Identity Governance facilitates self-service, simplifying account administration, and streamlining audit tasks. “This translates into a significantly lower overall total cost of ownership for managing identities. Through the comprehensive platform for user registration, that includes access request, role lifecycle management, provisioning, access certification, closed-loop remediation and privileged account management, the solution simplifies the process to address today’s requirements and enables businesses to address new opportunities.”

For more information contact Logikal Consulting, +27 (0)11 100 0651, gerald@logikalconsulting.com, www.logikalconsulting.com





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

There is a SaaS for everything, but at what cost, especially to SMEs?
Editor's Choice Information Security Security Services & Risk Management
Relying on SaaS platforms presents significant cybersecurity risks as the number of providers in your landscape increases, expanding your attack surface. It is important to assess the strength of the SaaS providers in your chain.

Read more...
New State of Physical Access Control Report from HID
HID Global Editor's Choice Access Control & Identity Management News & Events
HID released the 2024 State of Physical Access Control Report, identifying five key trends shaping access control's future and painting a picture of an industry that has been undergoing considerable transformation.

Read more...
Addressing today’s mining challenges: cyber risks beyond IT
Editor's Choice Information Security Mining (Industry)
Despite the mining industry’s operational technology systems being vulnerable to cyberattacks, many decision-makers still see these threats as purely an IT issue, even though a breach could potentially disrupt mining operations.

Read more...
Smart intercoms are transforming access control
Access Control & Identity Management Products & Solutions
Smart intercoms have emerged as a pivotal tool in modern access control. They provide a seamless and secure way to manage entry points without the need for traditional security guards to validate visitors before granting them access.

Read more...
How to effectively share household devices
Smart Home Automation Information Security
Sharing electronic devices within a household is unavoidable. South African teens spend over eight hours per day online, making device sharing among family members commonplace. Fortunately, there are methods to guarantee safe usage for everyone.

Read more...
Fortinet establishes new point-of-presence in South Africa
News & Events Information Security
Fortinet has announced the launch of a new dedicated point-of-presence (POP) in Isando, Johannesburg, to expand the reach and availability of Fortinet Unified SASE for customers across South Africa and southern African countries.

Read more...
New tools for investigation and robust infrastructure security
News & Events Information Security
Cybereason continues to enhance its security platform, with recent updates introducing improvements in file search operations, investigation query results, and cloud workload protection, providing more granular data and faster key artefact identification.

Read more...
Easy, secure access for student apartments
Paxton Access Control & Identity Management Surveillance
Enhancing Security and Convenience at Beau Vie II Student Accommodation, a student apartment block located at Banghoek Road, Stellenbosch, with Paxton's access control and video management solution

Read more...
Invixium acquires Triax Technologies
News & Events Access Control & Identity Management
Invixium has announced it has acquired Triax Technologies to expand its biometric solutions with AI-based RTLS (Real-Time Location Systems) offering for improved safety and productivity at industrial sites and critical infrastructure.

Read more...
ControliD's iDFace receives ICASA certification
Impro Technologies News & Events Access Control & Identity Management
The introduction of Control iD's iDFace facial biometric reader, backed by mandatory ICASA certification, underscores the commitment to quality, compliance, and innovation.

Read more...