Opinion: The untapped business value of Identity and Access Management

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In today’s landscape, Identity and Access Management (IAM) is much more than just a security measure; it’s a critical foundation for driving business value.  

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However, too many organizations overlook IAM’s potential to support strategic objectives. As a leader who has overseen thousands of IAM initiatives, I can confidently say that when IAM is positioned as a business enabler, it can unlock efficiencies, reduce risks and even open doors to new innovations. Given the complexities and challenges of IAM, I aim to offer five key takeaways in this article to help your company position IAM as a linchpin for organizational success: 

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• IAM as a strategic asset: Positioned as a core function, IAM boosts efficiency, drives innovation and reduces risks to align with organizational goals. 
• Cross-department accountability: Collaboration across departments aligns IAM with enterprise objectives, broadening responsibility beyond IT and security. 
• Broader scope and complexity: Managing identities for customers, partners and devices makes IAM vital in defending against advanced threats. 
• Executive-level engagement: Bringing IAM to the executive level highlights its role in safeguarding data and supporting strategic priorities. 
• Building trust and resilience: A unified approach to IAM fosters a secure foundation, essential for long-term growth and business enablement. 

One recurring theme we observe is the disconnect between IAM teams and senior leaders. All too often, decisions around IAM investments are made without the involvement of essential stakeholders, leaving IAM teams to manage vast, evolving responsibilities with limited support. This can lead to frustrated users, escalated issues and a perception that IAM — and by extension, IT and security — “own” the risks associated with identity management. Without enterprise-wide accountability, IAM’s full potential is left untapped. 

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In recent years, the scope of IAM has grown immensely. It’s no longer just about managing employee identities; organizations now need to secure identities for customers, partners and an increasing number of connected devices. With this expanded scope comes added complexity — and a rising threat. Bad actors have recognized identity as a critical attack vector, making it more important than ever to treat IAM as a business-critical asset, rather than a back-office necessity. 

To bridge the gap, it’s essential to elevate identity conversations to the executive level, emphasizing how IAM aligns with organizational goals and contributes to business outcomes. By fostering partnerships across departments, IAM teams can demonstrate how identity controls directly support business value, from safeguarding customer data to enabling seamless vendor integrations. 

A key component in this journey is creating visibility into IAM’s workload and accomplishments. An IAM executive dashboard that outlines ongoing tasks, upcoming audits and anticipated projects — like product launches or M&As — can give senior leaders an understanding of the IAM team’s contributions and workload, setting realistic expectations and aiding prioritization. 

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Moreover, setting a shared vision for IAM through a well-defined roadmap and business case helps align the program with long-term goals. It’s about setting a trajectory, knowing where we stand and defining the path forward.  

As IAM programs mature, the focus should shift to continuous improvement and innovation, allowing teams to stay agile and adapt to changing demands. 

IAM, when governed effectively, becomes an engine of trust and resilience. By aligning IAM initiatives with business needs, we can build a program that not only strengthens security but also drives efficiency and growth. Effective IAM isn’t just about risk mitigation — it’s a strategic asset that, when embraced organization-wide, ensures that trust and security become integral to the company’s fabric. 

With a unified, identity-first approach, organizations can manage priorities effectively, ensure resources are optimally allocated and continuously deliver value throughout the program’s lifecycle. This shift strengthens security and elevates IAM as a key driver of organizational success, fostering a culture where identity becomes the foundation of trust, resilience and business growth. 

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IAM is the bridge to a more secure and business-aligned future — if only we dare to look beyond the technology and recognize its true potential. 

Fahad Kabir is the CEO of IAMConcepts Security Solutions Inc., a cybersecurity professional services firm specializing in digital identity and access management for businesses.  

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