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What Are IAM Systems (Identity and Access Management)
A key aspect of the European NIS2 Directive focuses on managing identities and access within organizations, known as Identity and Access Management (IAM).
IAM systems are technological solutions designed to securely and centrally manage the digital identities of users within an organization. These tools oversee the entire system of access rights, which is especially important for safeguarding cloud infrastructures.
Furthermore, IAM systems control user access to company systems, applications, and resources by verifying identities and permissions. They enable administrators to monitor user activity, generate reports, and enforce policies to ensure compliance with current regulations, including the NIS2 Directive.
A properly configured IAM system protects sensitive data and proprietary company information, strengthening overall security.
The Goal of an Identity and Access Management System
The primary goal of an Identity and Access Management (IAM) system is to ensure that only authorized individuals can access the technological resources they need to perform their activities.
This is achieved by defining a user profile that includes attributes such as roles, privileges, and group memberships, ensuring that each individual has the appropriate permissions.
Identity and Access Management Components:
- Identity Management: involves creating, updating, and deactivating user identities to ensure proper control over access to corporate resources.
- User Identity Authentication:
- Traditional Passwords: standard method of user authentication.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): utilizes multiple verification factors (e.g., passwords, biometrics or tokens) to confirm identity.
- Single Sign-On (SSO): allows users to authenticate once and gain access to multiple applications or services without needing to log in repeatedly.
- Authorization and Access Control: assigns permissions based on business roles, or zero-trust policies to ensure secure appropriate access.
- Monitoring and compliance:
- Tracking user activities: locks and tracks access events with detailed reporting to detect anomalies or unauthorized behaviour.
- Regulatory compliance: ensures adherence to security standards such as ISO 27001 through continuous monitoring and activity analysis.
IAM Systems in the NIS2 Directive: Requirements and Implications
The NIS2 Directive emphasizes the critical role of Identity and Access Management (IAM) in enhancing cyber security. To meet its stringent requirements, organizations are encouraged to adopt measures such as:
- Access Control and Monitoring. Organizations should use activity tracking systems to detect anomalies and maintain detailed logs to monitor access effectively.
- Secure Management of Identities and Access. IAM systems must employ multi-factor authentication (MFA) to safeguard access to sensitive data. Privileged identity management, such as controlling access for administrators handling sensitive areas, is also essential.
- Data Protection. The directive recommends the use of cryptographic methods to ensure the confidentiality and security of credentials and other sensitive information.
- Resilience and Operational Continuity. Organizations must guarantee the resilience of critical systems and ensure operational continuity in the event of cyberattacks or security incidents.
- IAM Risk Management. Regular assessments should be carried out to identify vulnerabilities in identity management systems, supported by a swift incident response plan to address risks effectively.
- Incident Notification. Timely reporting is crucial, with an early warning required within 24 hours and a formal official notification within 72 hours of an incident.
- Adoption of Zero Trust Architecture. Continuous authentication should be enforced for every access attempt, even within internal networks, to minimize risks. As a result of these provisions, developing a robust identity and access management system is essential to ensure the organization’s compliance with the regulation.
The Role of IAM Systems in Corporate Security
IAM systems not only ensure compliance but also play a critical role in safeguarding corporate resources, significantly enhancing overall security.
This preventive and proactive role of Identity and Access Management is achieved through several key actions, including:
- Enhanced and Strict Control of Identities and Credentials: Ensuring that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive resources.
- Protection against Unauthorized Access: Mitigating the risk of breaches and maintaining secure access to corporate systems.
- Centralized Identity Management: Utilizing techniques such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) to streamline and fortify access management processes.
- Support for Regulatory Compliance: Enabling organizations to adhere to stringent security and privacy standards, such as ISO 27001 and NIS2, through rigorous identity and access management practices and proper documentation. Ultimately, IAM systems are indispensable for strengthening corporate security and preventing cyber threats.
Achieving Compliance with the NIS2 Directive through Yookey
Yookey is a platform that provides advanced Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions based on Keycloak. It emphasizes secure identity management by integrating multi-factor authentication (MFA) with Single Sign-On (SSO), all while ensuring compliance with the NIS2 Directive.
In addition, Yookey supports businesses in meeting the provisions of NIS2 by adopting a Zero Trust model, which verifies every access attempt, including those originating from internal networks. For access monitoring, Yookey securely tracks all actions and generates detailed reports, enabling the thorough analysis of cybersecurity incidents as mandated by NIS2.
In the realm of supply chain security, Yookey facilitates Identity Federation, allowing businesses to securely and compliantly manage external users’ access, including suppliers, partners, and third parties. Furthermore, the platform centralizes access management, enhancing visibility and monitoring of all identities.
By offering these comprehensive solutions, Yookey helps businesses address the challenges of digital security and ensures compliance with the requirements of the NIS2 Directive.
