Identity and Access Management Career and Jobs
Identity and access management career and jobs involve protecting systems and data by implementing seamless processes and leveraging automated systems which aim to ensure that only authorized users, devices, or programs are connected to one another through an advanced authentication mechanism and have the appropriate access based on the Principle of Least Privilege to perform specific tasks on a timely basis. Identity and Access Management (IAM) practices also aim to detect and prevent unauthorized access through access monitoring and review while tracking all necessary activities for investigation and compliance purposes.
Identity and access management is a fast growing career field that offers many types of IAM jobs to interested and qualified candidates who love to solve some of today’s evolving information security risks.
A quick search of the keyword “identity management” or “identity and access management” in any of the leading online job boards will quickly list thousands of identity and access management jobs which provide a quick evidence of the need for talented identity management experts in a variety of industries. Many of these jobs also prefer and target certified members of Identity Management Institute.
With the proliferation of personal data in social media, big data processing, expansion of data protection laws, BYOD acceptance, cloud computing, distributed storage, decentralized blockchain applications, and the fast growing segment of IoT which are increasing in numbers and capabilities, identity and access management career and jobs are on fire for professionals who are engaged in IAM related fields for cyber and system security, data protection, compliance, and access management of a growing number of human and non-human identities in a multitude of systems.
Identity and Access Management Roles
The identity and access management roles may be staff or management levels in many areas such as identity directory services, user access provisioning and de-provisioning, implementation and maintenance of IAM technology and related infrastructure, Application Development Life Cycle (SDLC) security, auditing and testing, identifying and handling exceptions, application integration, federated identity, patch management, and many other areas.
Many of the IAM roles are technical in nature and need management oversight to comply with the organization’s IAM program and communicate with other internal and external groups such as Internal Audit, Legal, Privacy, HR, contractors, and regulators to achieve the IAM goals and objectives.
An IAM career in a management role is highly important for assessing the risks and developing a plan based on a strategy and vision that considers changes in the internal and external environments.
Organizations and their management teams must assess their identity and access management requirements and capabilities in order to select the appropriate technology and talent to achieve the business objectives.
Identity and access management policies and standards which are aligned with business objectives and processes are critical for providing direction to staff, defining roles, setting the expectations, and overseeing compliance with the company directives.
Identity and Access Management Expertise
Many of the IAM roles require technical expertise; however, non-technical staff are also engaged in business analysis, risk management, auditing, project management, and other areas.
The technical IAM expertise is needed for system security engineering, architecture, design and implementation, directory services platform, networking, software development and programming, database and operating system management, access controls, authentication, system security, access administration, and system integration.
Both the technical and non-technical identity management staff must possess analytical and soft skills that allow them to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects, understand and adapt to changing business requirements, resolve customer issues, comply with security and data protection regulations, maintain ethical standards confidentiality, communicate effectively verbally and in writing, be a team player, and continue to learn new skills to keep up with changes affecting the company and the role.
Identity and Access management Education
A bachelor’s degree and higher education in identity management, cybersecurity, or a computer related field is highly recommended and a great starting point for those who wish to enter the identity and access management career field and job market.
Additionally, Identity Management Institute offers leading global certifications in identity and access management which members can gradually pursue to advance their identity management career. IMI offers professional certifications in identity governance, identity risk management, access management, IAM technology, compliance, and data protection. Visit the certification page to learn more.
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