Why it matters
Stolen or misused credentials sit behind a large share of breaches. Consolidated identity with strong authentication is the foundation of zero trust and of most compliance obligations.
What to get right
- Use one authoritative identity source, and remove access promptly when people leave or change roles.
- Prefer phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication for high-risk users.
- Vault administrator credentials, grant them only when needed, and record privileged sessions.
- Review access rights regularly, starting with systems that hold sensitive data.
Common questions
What is the difference between IAM and PAM?
IAM manages access for everyone. PAM adds tighter controls for the small number of accounts that can change systems, such as administrators and service accounts.
Is SMS-based authentication good enough?
It is better than a password alone, but it can be intercepted or subverted. App-based or hardware-key methods are stronger for staff with sensitive access.