Career In Identity And Access Management

Identity and access management jobs revolve around managing user access and maintaining data integrity. In this article, we'll highlight careers in identity and access management. So, whether you're kickstarting your career in identity and access management or just seeking to understand the role. This article will provide a clear overview.

Identity and access management is a rapidly expanding career field that offers various jobs to individuals interested in addressing evolving information security risks. Moreover, when you search for jobs related to \"identity management\" or \"identity and access management\" on popular job boards (websites where employers post job openings), you will find a large number of job postings.

These job listings are looking for individuals with expertise in identity management. This indicates that there is a strong demand for professionals with these skills in various industries.

But you must be wondering why the demand for IAM professionals is so high. What is so special about their role? The demand for IAM Professionals is high because they play a crucial role in managing access for a growing number of user identities and apps. Also, they ensure the safety of the organization's SaaS app data by preventing potential cyberattacks.

Not only that, trends have created a high demand for careers in identity and access management. Such as:

• The growth of data protection
• The acceptance of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies
• The rise in SaaS adoption
• Shift from on-premises to the cloud computing environment
• The expanding Internet of Things (IoT) segment

This was just a glimpse of what a career in identity and access management looks like; there is yet to explore more. So, let's start by understanding the identity and access management roles and responsibilities that one needs to perform.

Identity & Access Management Expertise: What Roles & Responsibilities Are You Expected to Fulfill?

Within the identity and access management field, various roles encompass various responsibilities and tasks. These roles involve activities such as

• Managing identity directory services
• Implementing and maintaining IAM technology
• Ensuring security throughout the Application Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• Provisioning and deprovisioning user access
• Conducting audits
• Evaluating User Access
• Managing issues that may occur due to misalignment or mismanagement of user access,
• Integrating applications to get precious user access data

Many of these IAM roles have a technical focus and require oversight from management to ensure alignment with the organization's IAM program. They also collaborate with various internal and external groups such as Internal Audit, Legal, Privacy, HR, contractors, and regulators to achieve IAM goals and objectives.

For Instance: Let's consider a managerial role in IAM, which is one of the well-known career options in IAM. An IAM manager plays a crucial role in managing risk assessment and strategy development, considering changes in both internal and external environments. IAM managers and their management teams evaluate their company's IAM needs to select the right technology and expertise that align with their business objectives.

They also establish IAM policies and standards. These guidelines provide guidance to staff, define roles, set expectations, and ensure regulatory compliance with company directives.

Now, let's explore some of the top job openings in the field of IAM.

Career Opportunities In Identity And Access Management

Generally, professionals work as practitioners or senior practitioners. Practitioners usually work in teams, assisting both their team members and the entire organization in various IAM aspects. They are hands-on, ensuring the smooth implementation of IAM solutions, and they often aim to become experts in this field.

With more experience, senior practitioners often take on leadership roles, leading teams and overseeing their training. They often serve as a bridge, offering guidance and handling IAM issues for the business and its clients.

Also, once you make it to the top, you may get high-level executive position opportunities within your organization, such as Chief Data Protection Officer or Chief Technical Officer.

Here are some of the job opportunities in the career of identity and access management:

1. Identity and Access Management Specialist

The role and responsibilities of identity and access management specialist is to plan, design, implement, and test IAM systems or solutions. They work closely with the cyber security, service desk, system engineer, network security, audit, app developers, and operation teams to manage the access environment effectively. They are also responsible for identifying and evaluating opportunities to effectively implement IAM. They also participate in the decision-making process regarding emerging IAM or PAM technologies.

2. IAM Solutions Architect

The IAM Architect's job is to help with the design and technical aspects of our identity and access management (IAM) system. They'll be working on updating the IAM solution to meet the guidelines set by the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS).

3. Senior IAM Analyst

The role of senior identity and access management analysts is to take the lead in creating security policies and producers. They make sure to explain these guidelines to everyone within the organization. Including end-users, leaders, and peers ensures everyone follows the right practices for managing identity and access securely.

4. Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) Analyst

Identity governance and administration analyst jobs are to efficiently manage user identities and access within the organization. They help implement the necessary security measures, such as enforcing access management policies to prevent potential security breaches and unauthorized or risky access attempts.

5. Access Management Engineer

The job of identity and access management engineers is to safeguard all the organization's resources. They set up clear and strict rules about who is allowed to access specific resources. These rules are strict enough to ensure security but consistent enough to provide reliable access control or an IAM framework. This helps ensure that data and systems remain confidential, reliable, and always available.

6. Cybersecurity Analyst

A cybersecurity analyst's main job is to keep a company's computer network and systems safe from cyber attacks. They do this by staying updated on the latest trends in information technology, making backup plans, checking for anything suspicious, and reporting if there's a security problem. They also educate everyone (workforce) else in the company on how to securely access apps and data.

7. IAM Operations Manager

IAM Operations Managers are in charge of overseeing operational activities and making sure everything runs smoothly in a company. They hire and train employees and come up with plans to make processes work better. They aim to ensure that everyone (workforce) completes their work on time.

8. IAM Consultant

IAM consultants provide guidance and expertise to organizations effectively managing their access environment. They analyze what could go wrong in different situations and then devise the right solutions to prevent problems. They research, look at data, and make reports to ensure everything stays safe and secure.

Let's see what criteria one needs to fulfill to grab these job opportunities.

Qualification And Skills Requirements

If you want to work in the cybersecurity field, you need to understand first that it demands specialized knowledge. Many identity management institutes and companies want IAM experts who have general IT skills and appropriate qualifications. One needs to have at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field.

Possessing certain cybersecurity skills is beneficial to prepare for a career in identity and access management. These specialist skills provide a foundation upon which companies can further train you for your specific role:

• In-depth knowledge of networking and system administration
• Familiarity with network security control measures
• Deep understanding of cloud security principles
• Coding expertise
• Understanding of virtual machines and operating systems

In addition to these foundational skills, you should acquaint yourself with specific hard skills to excel in an IAM role:

• Thorough understanding of user provisioning, account creation, and management.
• Application of industry-standard protocols like Kerberos, OAuth, and FIDO.
• Proficiency in using identity and authentication solutions such as Okta, Auth0, and Azure AD.
• Knowledge in privileged access management.
• Ability to compile and generate reports.
• Basic comprehension of scriptwriting.

These skills will make you a valuable asset in the IAM field and position you as a competitive candidate in the cybersecurity industry.

But you also need certifications to get better job opportunities in the field of IAM. Let’s explore some of the certifications that you can pursue.

Certifications To Pursue A Career In Identity And Access Management

Identity management certification is becoming increasingly important; it plays a significant role in the IAM profession. It is vital for professionals providing Identity and Access Management services to organizations or the broader community. This certification enhances credibility and equips professionals with the essential knowledge needed to deliver optimal services. By getting these certifications, experts can instill trust in those who rely on them for guidance and solutions.

Listed below are some of the renowned IAm certifications that you can pursue to have better opportunities in the field of identity and access management:

1: Certified Identity And Access Manager (CIAM)

The Certified Identity and Access Manager (CIAM) establishes and sustains programs that proficiently handle identity risks and user access to resources (enterprise systems and data). This involves recommending streamlined processes, implementing effective tools, and involving users. CIAM professionals aim to validate identity and access management investments, address compliance or control deficiencies, and pinpoint areas for process enhancement.

2: Certified Access Management Specialist (CAMS)

Professionals actively engaged in overseeing access to vital information systems can significantly enhance their capabilities by attaining the certification of access management specialist (CAMS). CAMS individuals possess the expertise to create and/or oversee access policies and procedures. This includes handling access requests, documenting approvals, facilitating access, and deactivating access when necessary. Additionally, CAMS professionals are tasked with conducting regular access reviews, certification processes, and account reconciliation.

3: Certified Identity Management Professional (CIMP)

The Certified Identity Management Professional (CIMP) is for technical experts in identity and access management who actively participate in identity management projects. These professionals play a hands-on role, taking on responsibilities in project management or consulting to effectively implement and oversee technical identity and access management solutions.

4: Certified Identity And Security Technologist (CIST)

The Certified Identity and Security Technologist is for technical leaders involved in developing, evaluating, selecting, implementing, and overseeing identity management and security systems. CIST professionals are exceptionally skilled technical experts well-versed in industry technologies. Additionally, these sought-after professionals actively contribute to the development of new Identity and Access Management and security products, as well as the enhancement of existing ones.

5: Certified Identity Protection Advisor (CIPA)

The Certified Identity Protection Advisor (CIPA) is for professionals in the field of identity theft management. These experts specialize in educating, guiding, and assisting both businesses and consumers in preventing, detecting, and resolving identity theft issues. The CIPA program provides a distinctive framework, principles, and guidelines for effectively handling identity theft risks, encompassing prevention, detection, investigation, and recovery.

6: Certified in Data Protection (CDP)

The Certified in Data Protection (CDP) program utilizes international security standards and privacy mandates to instruct candidates on creating and overseeing robust system security and data protection initiatives. The program aims to secure systems and data by aligning with business risks and achieving data integrity, availability, and confidentiality objectives.

Now, let's move further and explore the salary expectations in an IAM career.

IAM Salary Overview

Salaries differ based on positions and roles, and also they are influenced by your educational background, certifications, additional skills, and the years of experience you've accumulated in your field.

For example, the average salary for an Identity & Access Control Manager in the United States is approximately $140,098. Also, the yearly earnings of an individual working in the identity and access management field in North Carolina is $73,571. To break it down, that's roughly $35.37 per hour, or about $1,414 per week, and around $6,130 per month.

Now let's quickly go through how you can kickstart your career in identity and access management.

How Do I Start A Career In Identity And Access Management?

To begin a career in Identity and Access Management (IAM), you can follow these steps:

Step 1# Educational Background:

Acquire a relevant educational background in computer science, information technology, or a related field. A bachelor's degree is often a minimum requirement.

Step 2# Gain IT Experience:

Build a strong foundation in IT through hands-on experience. Work on networking, security, and systems administration to understand the fundamentals.

Step 3# Specialized Training and Certifications:

Pursue specialized training and certifications in IAM. Certifications like Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) are valuable.

Step 4# Stay Updated:

Keep up with the latest trends and technologies in IAM. Attend conferences and webinars and read industry publications to stay informed.

Step 5# Apply for Entry-Level Positions:

Look for entry-level positions in IT, security, or helpdesk roles to gain initial experience. Many IAM professionals start with broader IT roles before specializing.

Step 6# Apply for IAM Positions:

Once you've gained sufficient experience and developed your skills, start applying for IAM positions. Make changes in your resume to highlight relevant experiences and certifications.

A point to be noted is that IAM is a dynamic field, and continuous learning is key to success. Stay proactive, seek growth opportunities, and demonstrate your commitment to the field through ongoing education and professional development.

Kickstart Your Career In IAM With Required Knowledge & Technologies

In conclusion, embarking on a career in Identity and Access Management (IAM) offers a promising journey. As organizations recognize the critical importance of securing digital identities and managing access, the demand for skilled IAM professionals continues to grow rapidly. The key to success lies in acquiring a solid educational foundation, gaining practical experience, and staying ahead of industry trends.

However, after going through the IAM roles and responsibilities and the necessary technical and soft skills required in this field, you may have realized that there are several critical tasks that you need to manage. So, to help you manage IAM processes effectively, you can opt for Zluri. Why Zluri? What functionalities does it offer? Zluri offers advanced access management solutions. It is designed to help your IT team automate and simplify several identity & access management tasks. Including provisioning, access modification, and deprovisioning processes, enforcing access control policies, and ensuring regulatory requirements are met.

By leveraging cutting-edge technology and robust authentication measures, Zluri’s access management contributes significantly to safeguarding sensitive data and mitigating security risks. As you embark on your IAM career, embracing and mastering these platforms will enhance your skill set and position you as a valuable asset in the realm of identity and access security.

FAQs

1: Is IAM part of cyber security?

Yes, identity and access management is a part of the cybersecurity discipline focused on regulating users' digital resource access and their actions. IAM systems play a crucial role in preventing unauthorized access attempts by managing access permissions of each user account, allowing them to perform their duties without granting unnecessary privileges.

2: Is identity access management a good career?

Yes, identity access management is a rewarding career path to opt for. Currently, it's highly in demand, offering ample opportunities and attractive packages.

3: Does IAM require coding?

If you're considering a career as an IAM developer, it is essential to possess strong programming skills. You also need to have a solid understanding of IAM technologies to stay up-to-date with IAM trends.

4: What is the future scope of IAM?

IAM's future holds substantial potential, especially in addressing the specific business requirements of identity and access management in cloud environments. With more organizations shifting operations to the cloud, there is a growing demand for IAM solutions. This signifies IAM's crucial role in ensuring secure access management within the cloud environment, reflecting its significance in the evolving cybersecurity landscape.