As remote work has become a permanent fixture, the significance of IAM has surged. A LastPass survey revealed that 98% of IT decision-makers believe IAM is crucial to securing a remote workforce. According to Verizon's previous Data Breach Investigations Reports, a staggering 82% of breaches are driven by the human element, and 61% of breaches involve credential compromise. These statistics highlight the critical role IAM plays in safeguarding data while enabling productivity in today’s remote work landscape. Remote identity and access management tools are essential in providing secure and seamless access to critical resources when managing remote teams.
Securing access points
Remote work introduces more access points, increasing the risk of unauthorized access. Workforce IAM solutions provide robust security measures, including MFA and SSO, to ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive information.
Securing VPNs
Traditional VPNs often pose security vulnerabilities in remote access management. However, IAM solutions can enhance VPN security by implementing MFA, enabling authenticated access to corporate resources. This approach ensures that only authorized remote employees can securely access sensitive information, thereby enhancing remote work security.
Managing personal devices
With remote work, employees frequently use personal devices for professional tasks, heightening security risks. IAM solutions enable organizations to enforce security policies and monitor access, ensuring that only compliant devices are used to access corporate data.
Secure SSO
SSO simplifies the user experience by allowing employees to log in once and gain access to multiple applications without needing to remember numerous passwords. This reduces password fatigue and enhances security by minimizing the likelihood of weak password practices.
Adaptive authentication
This feature assesses various risk factors—such as the device, location, and time of access—to adjust authentication requirements dynamically. For instance, if a user attempts to log in from an unfamiliar device, additional verification steps can be triggered, thereby enhancing security without burdening the user unnecessarily.
RBAC
RBAC allows organizations to assign permissions based on user roles rather than individual identities. This streamlines access management and ensures that employees only have access to the information necessary for their job functions.
Compliance and auditing
IAM systems facilitate compliance with industry regulations by maintaining logs of user activities, authentication attempts, and access levels. These records are essential for audits and help organizations avoid penalties associated with noncompliance.
Selecting an appropriate IAM solution is critical to meeting your organization’s specific needs. Consider factors such as the following:
The Zero Trust model operates on the principle that no user or application should be trusted by default. Every access request must be verified, regardless of whether it originates from inside or outside the organization’s network. Implementing MFA is a key strategy within this framework.
Conduct routine audits of user accounts to ensure they are still valid and necessary. Remove access for former employees promptly to prevent orphaned accounts from becoming potential security vulnerabilities.
Educating employees about secure practices is essential to maintaining a secure remote work environment. Training should cover topics such as recognizing phishing attempts, using strong passwords, and understanding the importance of MFA.
Implementing an IAM solution offers several benefits that enhance both security and productivity:
ManageEngine addresses the unique challenges of remote work by providing a robust IAM solution designed for today's dynamic digital environments. With features like automated identity life cycle management, secure SSO, and adaptive MFA, the solution ensures that employees can securely access organizational resources from anywhere and at any time, truly embodying the concept of IAM anywhere. Its Zero Trust framework emphasizes stringent access controls by verifying user identities based on their location, device, and time, thus minimizing security risks associated with remote access.
Additionally, the solution's built-in compliance reports help organizations adhere to regulations and standards like the GDPR and HIPAA, making it an essential tool for maintaining security and compliance in a remote work environment. By streamlining user provisioning and enforcing approval-based workflows, the solution not only enhances security but also boosts operational efficiency. This is particularly crucial for organizations looking to understand how to maintain security when employees work remotely.
ManageEngine's IAM access control capabilities ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive information, further fortifying organizations' defenses against potential breaches. With these comprehensive features, ManageEngine allows organizations to focus on their core missions without compromising on safety.
