Introduction to IAM
The IAM (Identity and access management) is defined as the set of rules and privileges which are defined for the network users and allow them to use the network under those defined privileges. The users can be employees or customers. The IAM targets to provide the digital identity to each user. After assigning identity, the maintenance for generated id is done by the IAM. It is most beneficial for the organization as multiple users need to have an individual id. The AWS resources can be modified as per the user requirement and can be controlled by IAM.
What is IAM?
(Identity and access management) is the type of web service that provides the functionality to users to manage their aws console and also modify the settings, permissions of their aws account. It is used to create the digital id per user and maintain the account. It is used for providing the access to the right user for the right resource which they can use in their right context. The administrator controls the user account, looks for the user activities, and enforces the policies. It uses various techniques which include security enforcement software, password management software, and other provisioning software. Organizations use IAM for centrally managing the user account and also providing the permissions as per the policies to the user. Using IAM, multiple accounts can be created having their own security credentials and also manage the bills for AWS account.
Features of IAM
As it is widely used in the organization to manage the user account it offers other features. Some of the IAM features are listed below:
- Providing access to AWS account
It provides the functionality to users to share the access of AWS account without sharing the security credentials. The administrator can control the user account and can track the user activities.
- Run application securely on the Amazon EC2 platform
It can be used to provide security features to the applications so that they can be easily run on the Amazon EC2 platform.
- MFA (multi-factor authentication)
The user account can have multi-factor authentication in the AWS account for providing the extra security feature so that user credentials can be kept secure without having any risk.
- Granular permission
It provides the functionality and permission to the user for the particular service so that the user can use the service as per the requirement.
- Control of the network
As the user uses the AWS resource and account, the account can be managed easily using the organization’s corporate network.
- Free to use
For the AWS account, IAM is the type of feature that is offered to the user with no additional charge. The user will be only charged when they use the additional service that they don’t have subscribed to.
Importance of IAM
The system has importance for the various organization as they play a crucial role in managing the user information in the system. Some of them are mentioned below:
- Fix domain of employee
When the employees work in the organization there is one dedicated system designed for them known as a human resource management system. The HR system manages the employee activities, payroll system and also takes care of the issues faced by the employee. The IAM system uses the HR system data and provides authentication to the employee account and also maintains the system to prevent error and redundancy.
- Provides limited access
As the employee works for the organization and uses the IAM system to maintain the AWS account the user must be provided with limited services and access to the account. By this, the user activity can be maintained and tracked by the administrator.
- Defining the identities
By defining the IAM system the phantom accounts or random accounts can be eliminated from the organization’s system. Only valid accounts are maintained and the phantom accounts are removed by using the identity and access management system. The system is used to make the system automated and automate the operation performed in the organization.
- Provides the knowledge
The IAM system is used to provide knowledge and providing control to the business owners. The system is used to provide the appropriate knowledge to the IT manager so that they can manage the user activity and provide knowledge to data owners so that they can manage the data and control the organization data for proper governance in the organization.
- Automation in system
This system helps to track the user activity and if any user removes from the organization the account is automatically deleted. The access provided to those users is immediately revoked when they left from the organization.
Advantages of IAM
The system is beneficial for the organization and provides several advantages to the user and the organization. Some of the advantages are mentioned below:
- User experience is improved
In today’s time, the user required one password for accessing multiple services from one account. By using the IAM system the one password can be used for accessing multiple services from one single account.
- Connect everyone
Using the IAM system, the various system can be connected and also connected multiple users to one platform. The security policy is used to provide strong authentication to the user account.
- Provides agility to business
The IAM system provides benefits to the business and provides agility to the business. Using the IAM system the system can make centralized so that it can be controlled easily and track the user activities. The errors and redundancy can be removed from the system and increase business agility.
Conclusion
The Identity and Access Management system helps the organization to maintain the employee and customer accounts and track their activity. The IAM system controls the user activity and provides limited access and features to the user account. The organization setup can be easily automated by using the inventory and access management system.
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