UPDATED: Our team has updated this article since it was originally published in 2015, and IAM tools have come a long way since that time. We’d like to hear about your experience with CA Identity Manager, as well as other IAM tools. How does it stack up, in your experience? Contact us and let us know what you’d like to see in further IAM reviews.
Ephrem is a senior consultant in our cybersecurity and risk management community. He provides complex technical project leadership expertise and specializes in building enterprise IAM solutions for clients.
What Is Identity and Access Management (IAM)?
Identity and Access Management (IAM) refers to a framework of policies, methods, and systems that control how individuals and companies gain access to digital resources. It ensures that only the right users, with proper verification, can interact with data, apps, and systems. By following a clear identity and access management roadmap, companies can safeguard private information, reduce risks, and meet regulatory demands. With strong IAM practices, it becomes easier to handle user credentials, track permissions, and prevent attackers from exploiting weak access points.
IAM Market Growth and Recent Insights
In recent years, the rise in security incidents and identity-related wrongdoing has boosted the need for reliable IAM tools. According to an updated MarketsandMarkets report, the IAM market is expected to reach around $25.6 billion by 2027, up from $13.4 billion in 2022, representing a steady growth rate. This trend highlights that organizations worldwide are investing in solutions that manage user identities and streamline access permissions.
Choosing the Right IAM Tools and Solutions
Companies can select from numerous IAM solutions, ranging from simple homegrown tools to wide-ranging commercial platforms. While smaller companies might rely on custom-built methods, larger ones increasingly turn to established vendors for dependable identity and access management roadmap guidance. Major providers like Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, SailPoint, and Broadcom offer solutions designed for complex infrastructures. Some organizations opt for business activity monitoring tools that integrate with IAM systems, but the focus here is on IAM itself.
CA Identity Manager in the Current Landscape
CA Identity Manager, now part of Broadcom’s portfolio, remains a well-regarded choice for managing identities and accounts throughout their entire life cycle. It covers tasks like user onboarding and off-boarding, account provisioning and de-provisioning, password resets, and self-service requests. Since the market has evolved, CA Identity Manager continues to align with modern security needs, often working closely with cloud-based integrations and updated standards.
Companies looking to implement CA Identity Manager may find that the process depends on factors like business size, system complexity, and the number of target platforms. Many enterprises invest several months or longer to deploy CA Identity Manager effectively. For guidance or extra help, some opt to consult security specialists who have direct experience with IAM projects. As part of a solid identity and access management roadmap, CA Identity Manager can help unify identity tasks, streamline approvals, and track user activities in a single platform.
Key Features of CA Identity Manager
Flexible Interfaces, Tools, and APIs
CA Identity Manager offers interfaces, client tools, and APIs that let administrators customize the solution to fit unique needs. This flexibility is valuable when out-of-the-box features do not address certain cases. For example, if the solution lacks a direct connector for a specific system, custom connectors can be developed using provided tools.
Custom Connector Development
The product includes Connector Xpress, a tool for building custom connectors to integrate with systems that do not have native support. This approach reduces manual work and helps unify access controls under one umbrella. As of now, broad documentation and community forums share best practices for creating these connectors, guiding implementers through set-up steps.
Policy Xpress for No-Code Business Logic
Another noteworthy feature is Policy Xpress. It allows writing basic business logic through a web interface, reducing the need for programmers. This helps teams implement certain tasks, such as handling special account policies, without writing complex code. Still, it is advised to use caution and plan carefully to avoid creating overly complex customizations that may complicate future support.
Reporting Functions
CA Identity Manager includes a reporting engine, based on SAP BusinessObjects, to run audit and compliance reports. This ensures that organizations can see who has access to what resources, track changes, and meet audit requests. Since compliance demands often shift, having an integrated reporting function is a key advantage.
Why It Matters Today
As digital operations expand, What is Identity and Access Management (IAM)? has become a crucial question. IAM frameworks, supported by tools like CA Identity Manager, help maintain security standards and control costs. By handling user identities across multiple platforms, these solutions prevent unauthorized access and monitor ongoing activities, which is vital in a time of rising cyber threats.
Because IAM solutions continue to evolve, it is wise to pick a tool that can adjust to new demands. CA Identity Manager remains a reliable option for enterprises wanting to develop or refine their identity and access management roadmap. With proper planning, training, and possibly some outside help, companies can get the most out of this platform, ensuring that it fits into their broader security program while meeting regulatory and operational needs.