Identity Maturity Model
Identity maturity models are frameworks that help organizations understand and improve their identity and access management (IAM) practices. These models provide a structured approach to assessing the current state of an organization's IAM capabilities and identifying areas for enhancement. By using an identity maturity model, organizations bolster security by centering digital identity in their access management strategy.
An identity maturity model typically consists of several stages, each representing a different level of sophistication and capability in IAM according to benchmarks in user access security and compliance risk assessments. The initial level of maturity reflects a high cybersecurity risk due to a reliance on time-consuming workflows, manual processes, and simple username/password combinations for authentication. While progressing through the stages of maturity, organizations adopt increasingly advanced techniques such as multifactor authentication (MFA) and single sign-on (SSO). Each stage builds upon the previous one, ensuring a gradual and sustainable improvement in IAM practices, as their identity maturity progresses to optimized IAM, where security is seamlessly integrated into user workflows.
Often times, the phases of identity maturity models span five areas:
| Phase | User Access | Security & Compliance | Identity Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: Initial | Poor user access: Workflows are time consuming and inefficient; delayed access; manual communication processes | Highest risk: Ad hoc, manual, and siloed; no automation | Disparate ID providers |
| 2: Developing | Low user access: Day-one access to birth-right applications | High risk: Basic IT processes, critical application coverage | Transformed to central system |
| 3: Defined | Fair user access: Access to resources flex as roles do; secure remote work is possible | Moderate risk: Some automation, proactive and standardized | Common ID repository |
| 4: Managed | High user access: Just-in-time access; seamless mobile workflows; quantifiable business value | Low risk: Automations ramps, formal processes | Simple ID federation |
| 5: Optimized | Optimal user access: Security is implemented and managed as part of the user workflow, not in addition to it | Lowest risk: Full automation, continuous role optimization | Authoritative federated ID provider |
Identity maturity models are particularly useful in IAM because they provide a clear roadmap for organizations to follow. However, these models are not static; they evolve over time to reflect changes in technology, regulatory requirements, and business needs. An optimized identity maturity strategy will no longer be optimized if it goes unchanged for years. This dynamic nature ensures that organizations can adapt their IAM strategies to stay ahead of emerging threats and compliance challenges. For example, as new authentication methods like biometrics and behavior analytics become more prevalent, a maturity model might be updated to include these technologies as part of the advanced stages. This continuous improvement helps maintain a strong and resilient IAM infrastructure.