Certification Overview
The Certified Identity and Access Manager (CIAM)® certification is a registered and vendor-neutral IAM certification which is recognized globally as the Gold Standard certification of the identity and access management industry. The program offers comprehensive training with online study materials, video course, and exam to certify candidates and improve their career advancement opportunities in the fastest growing segment of cybersecurity.
Identity and Access Management (IAM) is the most important discipline of information and cyber security which aims to manage user identities and their access to enterprise resources and data. IAM governance and programs including policies, processes, and technologies manage user identities and enforce what they can access and do within a system through authentication, authorization, and accounting.
Certified Identity and Access Manager (CIAM) professionals continuously assess their organizations’ existing capabilities in the identity lifecycle to prioritize business investments, close compliance or control gaps, and identify process improvements to reduce costs.
Watch this video to learn more about the Certified Identity and Access Manager (CIAM) program:
Certified Identity and Access Manager (CIAM) Special Offer
Currently, all registered candidates receive the CIAM video for free. New members receive 1 year membership, the CIAM study guide, up to 3 exam attempts, and the digital CIAM certificate upon passing the exam for only $390. Continue to read the next sections to learn more about the CIAM certification course and how to apply for membership and certification.
CIAM Certification Process
To become a Certified Identity and Access Manager (CIAM), interested candidates must be members of the Identity Management Institute and pass the online examination. Follow these 3 easy steps to get started:
Step 1 – Submit the membership application (only if you are not yet a member)
Step 2 – Submit the CIAM application for risk-free review and approval
Step 3 – Receive the online payment link upon approval (within one day)
Step 4 – Receive the study guide and exam information by email (within one day of payment)
About Certified Identity and Access Manager (CIAM) Exam
The Certified Identity and Access Manager (CIAM) examination consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. Candidates must answer at least 70 questions correctly to pass the exam and become certified. Registered candidates can take the exam up to 3 times at no additional charge which can be taken on any day and from anywhere on desktop computers or mobile devices with Internet access. Please take the practice test to become familiar with the final test format and content.
Video Training
A short video training about identity and access management certification is available to teach exam candidates as well as those who are contemplating to become CIAM about the core topics of the Certified Identity and Access Manager (CIAM) certification. Currently, all registered CIAM candidates receive the video for free.
CIAM Certification Scope
The image below illustrates identity and access management processes and activities which define the scope of the CIAM certification.
Challenges and Opportunities
Although technology is an important part of identity and access management, adopted solutions in the past have often focused on just technologies
which were poorly designed and implemented resulting in high costs and limited value. Organizations often struggled to meet compliance demands, and the solutions were deployed to manage limited number of systems.
As companies become more aware of the urgent need for managing identity and access management risks, meeting compliance requirements
, and countering various threats facing their organizations such as cyber crime, the benefits of implementing an effective IAM program and technology, as well as employing highly skilled Certified Identity and Access Manager professionals become apparent and are brought to the forefront for managing risks.
The following are several areas and business risks which demand that companies embrace IAM programs, skilled professionals, and technologies:
- Mobile Computing
- Cloud Computing
- Connected Devices
- Social Media
- Big Data
- Data Loss and Theft
- Privacy
- Regulations
- Identity Theft
- Cyber Crime & Terrorism
Regulatory Compliance
From a regulatory compliance standpoint, there are many overlapping laws pertaining to customer identification, privacy, transaction monitoring, government reporting, and fraud prevention that companies must manage as effectively and efficiently as possible. For example, companies are required to establish a formal Customer Identification Program (CIP), monitor account activities, ensure the security of customer information, report suspicious activities, and prevent identity fraud.
Although, identity and access management processes are critical for protecting consumer information and complying with privacy and other regulations, IAM is evolving beyond compliance to become a risk-based function that can help an organization achieve competitive advantage through state of the art technology such as biometric authentication, lower operating costs, increased efficiency, and reduced risk of security breaches.
Certified Identity and Access Manager (CIAM) Critical Risk Domains™
Identity Management Institute is the independent international organization that developed and administers the CIAM® designation and uses Critical Risk Domains™ (CRDs) to maintain the CIAM program, define the identity risk universe, promote the best identity and access management practices, and certify professionals worldwide. The following are Critical Risk Domains (CRDs) for the CIAM program:
- Strategy and Governance
- Program Management
- Lifecycle and Transformation
- Access Request and Approval
- Provisioning and De-Provisioning
- Enforcement
- Auditing and Reporting
- Access Review and Certification
- Account Reconciliation
- Tools
Download a copy of the CIAM program overview document for a description of all CRDs. For a list of the CIAM study guide chapters, download the CIAM Table of Contents (TOC).
Who Should Pursue CIAM Certification
Identity Management Institute members who earn the CIAM professional designation are identity and access management experts who work for a variety of government agencies, businesses, and technology companies worldwide to design, implement, improve, or manage identity and access management programs, processes, and tools.
CIAM Certification Benefits
Identity and access management risks continue to evolve worldwide as new threats and solutions are introduced, and laws are implemented. Specifically, cyber crime, identity theft, and related fraud are on the rise and various governments are scrambling to address privacy and manage risks through regulations. A Certified Identity and Access Manager (CIAM) designation validates professionals’ qualifications for helping their organizations meet compliance requirements and managing identity and access management risks which can affect the integrity, availability, or confidentiality of systems and data. System and network security controls alone can not protect an organization’s critical assets if identity and access management controls are weak or do not exist.
A Certified Identity and Access Manager (CIAM) designation and IMI membership also illustrate the fact that certified members value professional involvement, maintain an interest in identity and access management topics, have relevant professional experience, and contribute to their profession.
CIAM Certification Application Cost
The total cost of membership and CIAM certification is $390 which includes 1-year membership, the CIAM study guide, up to 3 exam attempts, and a certificate upon passing the exam. Existing members can apply for the Certified Identity and Access Manager (CIAM) program for $295.
Please submit the CIAM application to receive the payment link and get started with the global IAM certification as soon as your application is approved.
Payment Processing
IMI uses third-party payment processing services such as PayPal and Square to request and receive international credit card payments. Candidates must submit the relevant applications to receive an online payment link. A bank wire transfer option is also available upon request. For group registration, please contact us.
CIAM Certification Maintenance
Certified professionals must earn continuing education, adhere to the IMI code of ethics, and be active members.
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