No Bad Questions About DevOps
Definition of IDaaS
What is identity as a service?
Entrust Identity as a Service (IDaaS) is a cloud-based solution for managing user identities and access control. It acts as a central hub for securely authenticating and authorizing users (employees, customers, partners) to access applications and resources, regardless of their location or device.
Think of it as outsourcing your company's digital security doorman to a specialist. Hiring a doorman allows building management to focus on their core competencies, like leasing space or maintaining the property. A reliable doorman provides peace of mind, knowing your building is secure. You wouldn't trust just anyone to manage physical access to your building; IDaaS offers you the same level of expertise.
Types of IDaaS
There are two main categories of IDaaS solutions, each catering to specific organizational needs:
Basic IDaaS: This option is ideal for cloud-first, small-to-medium businesses. It focuses on providing Single Sign-On (SSO) for cloud-based applications, making it a perfect fit for companies with minimal on-premise infrastructure. Basic IDaaS solutions are typically straightforward to implement and manage.
Enterprise IDaaS: This category caters to larger organizations with complex IT environments. They often have a mix of cloud-based applications, on-premises systems, and legacy infrastructure.
What are some functions of identity as a service?
Here are some key functions of IDaaS:
- Single Sign-On (SSO) — Users can access multiple applications with one set of credentials, improving convenience and security.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) — Eliminates the need for passwords altogether, using biometrics or other secure methods for user verification.
- Streamlines the process of adding and removing users from systems, reducing administrative burdens.
- Centralized storage and management of user information for efficient access control.
- Granular control over what users can access and do within applications enhances security and data protection.
- Provides tools and workflows for managing the entire identity lifecycle, including user onboarding, access reviews, and compliance audits.
What are examples of IDaaS?
Entrust IDaaS is a strong player in the market, but there are several other popular IDaaS solutions to consider: Microsoft Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), Okta, Auth0, IBM Identity and Access Management (IAM) and PingIdentity.
Key Takeaways
- IDaaS is a cloud-based platform for managing user identities and access control. It securely authenticates and authorizes users to access various applications and resources from any location or device.
- There are two main types of IDaaS. Basic IDaaS is for small-to-medium businesses with a cloud-first approach, offering Single Sign-On (SSO) for cloud applications. Enterprise IDaaS caters to larger organizations with complex IT setups, including both cloud-based and on-premises systems.
- Key functions of IDaaS include Single Sign-On (SSO), allowing users to access multiple applications with one set of credentials, and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), which uses biometrics or other methods for user verification. IDaaS also simplifies user management by streamlining the process of adding and removing users and centralizing user information for efficient access control. It provides granular control over what users can do within applications and includes tools for managing the entire identity lifecycle, such as onboarding, access reviews, and compliance audits.
- Popular IDaaS solutions include Microsoft Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), Okta, Auth0, IBM Identity and Access Management (IAM), and PingIdentity.
