Top 8 Identity and Access Management Metrics

The significance of robust identity and access management (IAM) cannot be overstated. To navigate this landscape effectively, IT managers must rely on key identity and access management metrics that serve as benchmarks for evaluating the efficacy of their IAM strategies.

Identity and access management metrics provide crucial insights into the strength of security protocols and pave the way for continuous improvement and heightened protection against evolving threats. 

By understanding and prioritizing these metrics, as IT managers, you can establish a proactive approach to cybersecurity, ensuring a resilient defense against the dynamic landscape of modern cyber threats.

Before we dive into details, let's first understand what identity and access management metrics is:

What Is Identity And Access Management Metrics?

Identity and access management metrics serve as essential quantitative indicators for evaluating an organization's identity approach's efficiency, effectiveness, and security. Identity and access management, encompassing a structured framework of policies and technologies, plays a crucial role in guaranteeing that authorized individuals possess suitable access to resources within the IT environment of an organization.

These metrics are pivotal in enabling organizations to gauge their proficiency in handling user identities, regulating access to systems and data, and minimizing potential security risks. 

These metrics actively shape and enhance an organization's overall cybersecurity strategy by offering valuable insights into diverse facets of IAM processes.

Benefits of Identity And Access Management Metrics

Implementing identity and access management metrics offers several benefits to organizations, contributing to enhanced security, improved operational efficiency, and better compliance. Here are some key benefits:

• Enhanced Security: IAM metrics help organizations identify and mitigate security risks by monitoring user activities, detecting unauthorized access attempts, and ensuring that users have appropriate access levels.

 Monitoring IAM metrics allows for rapidly detecting security incidents, enabling organizations to respond quickly and effectively to mitigate potential threats.

• Operational Efficiency: IAM metrics related to user provisioning and deprovisioning times contribute to streamlining the onboarding and offboarding processes, reducing administrative overhead, and ensuring timely access adjustments.

 Metrics related to access approval times help organizations optimize their workflows, ensuring access requests are processed efficiently without unnecessary delays.

• Cost Savings: IAM metrics assist organizations in optimizing resource allocation by ensuring that users only have the access they need for their roles, reducing the likelihood of overprovisioning. 

Proactive monitoring and response to IAM metrics can help minimize the financial impact of security incidents by preventing or mitigating potential breaches.

• Continuous Improvement: Organizations can use IAM metrics to make informed decisions about their security policies, access controls, and overall IAM strategy, leading to continuous improvement. 

Comparing IAM metrics over time and against industry benchmarks allows organizations to identify areas for improvement and implement IAM best practices.

IAM metrics contribute to a more secure and efficient organizational environment, demonstrating compliance with regulations and providing insights for ongoing improvement in access management processes.

8 Key Identity Access Management Metrics

Below are some key identity and access management metrics you can implement to measure your organization's IAM system effectiveness.

1. Addressing Orphaned Accounts

Orphaned accounts are a security threat, providing unauthorized access points to organizational assets. These accounts belong to departed employees or contractors with concluded projects. Failing to deactivate them promptly exposes vulnerabilities for potential exploitation.

When employees leave, or contractors finish projects, it's crucial to deactivate their accounts during the offboarding process. Despite automated IAM systems, errors or oversights can occur. 

Identifying and rectifying these accounts significantly reduces security risks, while investigating deactivation failures helps refine IAM offboarding processes.

Metrics related to orphan accounts include:

• Inactive Users: Accounts not logged into for a specified period, often called dormant accounts. The acceptable time frame for inactivity may vary among organizations, but a common benchmark is around 90 days.
• Never-Logged-In Users: Accounts that have never been used to log in.
• Uncorrelated User Accounts (Ghost Accounts): These accounts are not linked to an active user or any user.
• User Accounts with Inactive Status: The definition of an inactive status depends on the IAM system in use, such as an employment status of 'retired' or an activity status of 'inactive.' Examining user characteristics in the IAM system helps identify indicators of user inactivity.

Organizations may set shorter time frames for critical accounts, like admin accounts, and categorize KPIs into sub-KPIs to enhance precision. This direct approach mitigates security risks and continuously improves IAM processes.

2. Authentication Success Rate

The authentication success rate is one of the paramount identity and access management metrics, offering insights into the effectiveness and reliability of an organization's security infrastructure. This metric quantifies the frequency with which users can seamlessly log in to the system, reflecting the system's robustness and user-friendliness.

A high authentication success rate is a positive indicator, affirming that the IAM system is secure and dependable, providing a smooth user experience. Conversely, a low success rate may signify underlying issues, such as malfunctioning components, outdated technology, or potential vulnerabilities to cyber threats.

Calculating the Authentication Success Rate:

A straightforward formula is employed to calculate the authentication success rate. Simply divide the number of successful logins by the total number of login attempts during a specific time frame.

Using the provided example, let's break down the calculation:

An organization manages 1,000 employees using an IAM system for accessing SaaS apps. Over a week, they recorded a total of 1,000 login attempts.

• Successful logins: 980
• Failed or error-prone logins: 20

3. Authorization Failure Rate

One of the pivotal identity and access management metrics is the Authorization Failure Rate. This metric provides insights into the frequency with which users are denied access to certain applications due to lack of authorization.

A low authorization failure rate is indicative of a robust IAM system adhering to the 'principle of least privilege.' This principle ensures that users are granted only the normal level or minimum levels of access necessary for their job responsibilities, promoting a secure environment.

Conversely, a high authorization failure rate signals potential issues in the IAM system, suggesting that users may be receiving excessive or inappropriate access. Such a scenario elevates the risk of security incidents like data breaches, fraud, or resource misuse.

Calculating Authorization Failure Rate:

To calculate the Authorization Failure Rate, follow a straightforward formula. Divide the number of authorization failures by the total number of authorization requests during a specific period.

Example: In Company A, employees submitted 400 app access requests. Out of these, the IAM system denied access 20 times because some employees sought access to apps beyond their job requirements.

This calculation reveals that Company A has an authorization failure rate of 5%, affirming their IAM system's effective enforcement of the principle of least privilege. Monitoring and optimizing this metric on a regular basis ensures ongoing security and compliance in access management.

4. Account Onboarding & Offboarding Timelines

This robust identity management metric tracks the efficiency of identity and access management by measuring the speed and accuracy of new account creation when onboarding employees. A high-efficiency score indicates seamless integration with the organization's growth, while a lower score may highlight potential bottlenecks in the IAM process.

This metric serves as a growth indicator and helps identify areas for improvement in internal systems, ensuring they adequately support the expanding workforce.

This identity and access management metric focuses on the timely removal of system access for departed or role-changed employees. It calculates the percentage of ex-employees who retain system access beyond their departure date. A lower percentage suggests effective access removal, while a higher percentage signals potential flaws in the offboarding process.

Monitoring and improving this metric enhances overall security by reducing the risk of unauthorized access and ensuring that IAM protocols align with organizational changes.

By incorporating these IAM metrics, organizations can proactively manage identity and access processes, fostering a secure and efficient environment that adapts seamlessly to workforce changes.

5. Password Reset Requests Analysis

Password reset requests constitute a prevalent reason for users seeking assistance from customer service. The volume of employees requiring password reset support directly correlates with the influx of calls into the service desk. Vigilantly monitoring this metric empowers companies to proactively identify and address potential challenges within their password management system. By scrutinizing these trends, organizations can pinpoint specific areas where improvements are needed, enabling strategic investments to enhance overall efficiency and user experience.

To calculate the Password Reset Requests metric, follow these steps:

• Define the time frame: Specify the period for which you want to measure password reset requests (e.g., weekly, monthly, quarterly).
• Collect data: Count the total number of password reset requests during the chosen time frame.
• Calculate the average: Divide the total number of password reset requests by the number of days in the selected time frame to determine the average daily requests.

Formula: Average Daily Password Reset Requests = Total Password Reset Requests / Number of Days

• Analyze trends: Compare the data over different time periods to identify trends and potential issues. A sudden spike in password reset requests may indicate a problem with the password management system or the need for additional user training.

By consistently monitoring and analyzing this metric, companies can gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of their password management processes and implement targeted improvements to enhance overall security and user satisfaction.

6. IAM Audit Compliance Rate

A pivotal metric within identity and access management is the audit compliance rate, which is a crucial indicator of the system's adherence to established standards and requirements as delineated in internal and external audits.

A robust IAM audit compliance rate indicates the consistent alignment of your IAM system with best practices and regulatory standards pertinent to your industry and jurisdiction. This signifies that your system operates securely, trustworthy, meticulously adhering to established rules.

Conversely, a lower IAM audit compliance rate may signal potential non-compliance, inconsistencies, or risks associated with your IAM system.

To calculate the IAM audit compliance rate, employ a straightforward formula: divide the audit findings or violations uncovered during an audit by the total count of audit criteria or controls evaluated within a specific timeframe. This calculation quantifies your system's adherence to the defined standards and regulatory requirements, offering valuable insights for ongoing enhancements and optimization.

7. IAM User Satisfaction Score

The User Satisfaction Score is one of the crucial identity and access management metrics representing a key indicator of the overall quality of user experience with your IAM system. Simply put, customer satisfaction measures the extent users are content with the system's performance.

A robust IAM user satisfaction score signals that your IAM system excels in user-friendliness, efficiency, and responsiveness, meeting and even surpassing your users' expectations. It implies that users find the system easy to navigate, convenient to use, and adept at addressing their needs.

Conversely, a low IAM user satisfaction score indicates that your IAM system may be perceived as intricate, unwieldy, or causing frustration among users. Such dissatisfaction can potentially lead to operational issues and user disengagement.

Calculating the IAM user satisfaction score involves gathering and analyzing user feedback through various channels, including surveys, feedback forms, and ratings. This valuable data provides insights into user opinions and preferences, offering a comprehensive understanding of their experiences with your IAM system over a specific period.

8. IAM Security Incident Rate

A critical identity and access management metric is the Security Incident Rate, which monitors the frequency of security incidents affecting your IAM system, including breaches, cyberattacks, and data compromises. This key indicator provides valuable insights into the security posture of your IAM system and its vulnerability to potential threats.

A low IAM security incident rate signals a robust, resilient, and secure IAM system. It signifies that the system effectively protects sensitive organizational data and maintains a secure access environment.

On the contrary, a high IAM security incident rate exposes vulnerabilities or weaknesses in the IAM system, making it an enticing target for attackers.

Calculating the IAM security incident rate is straightforward. Divide the number of security incidents involving your IAM system by the total number of security incidents occurring within a specific period.

For example, if an organization has a high IAM Security Incident Rate of 20%, it implies that out of 100 attempted security breaches, 20 were successful. This suggests that the organization's IAM system may not be as robust, making it more susceptible to security threats. The elevated rate indicates that unauthorized users or hackers find it relatively easy to breach their security measures.

These identity management metrics clearly assess how well your current IAM system is performing. If your existing IAM solution falls short of expectations, exploring alternative identity and access management tools is advisable. Fortunately, numerous platforms in the market are designed to address specific IAM needs, ensuring enhanced security for your organization.

Introducing Zluri, an outstanding solution that redefines identity and access management processes. But what exactly is Zluri, and what features does it bring to the table for seamlessly streamlining your IAM workflows? 

How Does Zluri Help Meet IAM Key Metrics?

Zluri's access management offers a cutting-edge automated solution, streamlining identity and access management processes, including onboarding, offboarding, access approval processes, and reviews. This modern solution empowers your IT team to control, manage, and govern the organization's access environment efficiently.

Addressing data security and compliance concerns, Zluri ensures meticulous adherence to strict industrial and governmental regulations. It meticulously grants the right employees precise access to SaaS apps within the designated time frame, securing data while meeting compliance standards.

Now, let's delve into Zluri's exceptional capabilities:

Ensuring High Authentication Success Rates

During the onboarding process of new employees, Zluri's access management system seamlessly integrates the employee's data and role with their digital identity. This crucial step enables our clients' IT teams to perform meticulous cross-verification and authentication of each individual's identity before granting them the necessary administrative access to applications and data.

This robust and secure authentication approach exemplifies Zluri's commitment to ensuring high authentication success rates, making it an ideal solution for organizations prioritizing stringent identity verification protocols.

Increases ULM Efficiency By Automating Onboarding & Offboarding Process

Zluri takes user lifecycle management (ULM) to new heights by automating onboarding and offboarding processes, eliminating manual intervention. This transformative capability empowers your IT team to seamlessly create onboarding and offboarding workflows.

Onboarding

Offboarding

These workflows enable swift granting of access to required applications with just a few clicks. Similarly, Zluri ensures the secure revocation of access from departing employees during offboarding, leaving no room for oversight or missing critical steps.

Through this automation, Zluri contributes to significant savings in productive time and efforts for the IT team. These resources can then be redirected towards other core activities, enhancing overall productivity. Moreover, the automation-driven approach aids organizations in substantial cost and resource savings that would otherwise be invested in manual methods and processes.

Meets High User Satisfaction Score

Zluri's access management elevates user satisfaction by introducing the Employee App Store (EAS), a revolutionary self-service model. This feature allows employees to request the necessary app access effortlessly as and when needed. 

The EAS acts as a curated collection of pre-approved SaaS applications within the organization, ensuring alignment with IT teams' standards.

Employees can seamlessly navigate the EAS during transitional phases like promotions, department changes, geographic shifts, or project requirements. They can submit or raise requests for specific applications crucial to their evolving roles or project demands.

The request process is meticulously designed, undergoing a series of verification steps. Once initiated, the IT team promptly reviews and approves access to the requested app. This streamlined procedure ensures swift access without compromising security protocols.

Employees have real-time visibility into their access requests to uphold transparency throughout this process. They can track the status—whether it's pending, completed, or unsuccessful. Additionally, any modifications made by the IT team are accessible through the "changelogs," providing a comprehensive overview of the request's evolution.

Mitigating Authorization Failures Through Proactive Security Measures

Zluri's access management effectively reduces the authorization failure rate by employing real-time alerts and proactive security measures. When users attempt to access critical applications without proper authorization, the system triggers immediate alerts, providing your IT team with timely notifications.

This proactive approach enables your team to respond to potential security threats swiftly. Zluri empowers your IT professionals to take decisive actions, such as promptly restricting control over user access to unauthorized applications or suspending their accounts. By implementing these proactive measures, Zluri significantly minimizes the likelihood of security breaches, thereby contributing to a noteworthy decrease in the authorization failure rate.

Reducing Security Risks Through Vigilant Access Environment Monitoring

Zluri's access management system goes beyond conventional measures, employing a meticulous approach to comprehensively monitor the organization's access environment. By continuously tracking user access and scrutinizing permission levels, the system ensures that individuals only have access to what is essential for their roles. This diligent oversight proves instrumental in swiftly identifying potential incidents or areas susceptible to security breaches.

Should any irregularities or violations be detected, Zluri empowers your IT team to immediately act by modifying the user's access permissions. This proactive response guarantees that access aligns precisely with the principle of least privilege, where users are granted only the minimum access privileges necessary to fulfill their responsibilities.

Ensuring Robust Audit Compliance Through Proactive Measures

Zluri recognizes the imperative for organizations to uphold rigorous compliance standards, such as those outlined in HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, and various others, emphasizing the commitment to safeguarding sensitive data. To transparently demonstrate adherence to regulatory frameworks, Zluri actively engages in scheduled user access review audits, generating comprehensive reports and audit trails.

These audit logs and reports are tangible evidence of the organization's unwavering commitment to meeting compliance requirements. They meticulously showcase that each employee possesses the requisite level of access to the organization's resources. In instances where any access misalignments are identified, Zluri enables organizations to showcase proactive measures taken by their IT teams and reviewers.

Actions such as running deprovisioning playbooks or modifying access playbooks exemplify the commitment to rectifying any discrepancies promptly. Whether it involves revoking access from users where it's unnecessary or adjusting access levels to align with organizational standards, Zluri provides a structured and documented approach.

Understanding the pivotal role of these audit practices in ensuring adherence to regulatory norms, organizations can leverage Zluri's capabilities to fortify their compliance posture effectively.

The comprehensive insights derived from these audits demonstrate compliance and dedication to maintaining a secure and controlled access environment. The proactive approach in addressing access discrepancies positions Zluri as a strategic ally in the ongoing effort to meet and exceed regulatory expectations.

Discover the power of Zluri's compliance management by booking a demo today. See how Zluri effortlessly fits into your workflows, ensuring strong audit compliance. Don't wait—schedule your demo now for improved regulatory adherence and data protection.

Also Read: If you want to implement IAM effectively, consider reading Identity and access management best practices

FAQs:

1. How does Identity Access Management contribute to cybersecurity?

IAM is a critical aspect of cybersecurity as it helps prevent unauthorized access, protects sensitive data, ensures compliance with security policies, and allows organizations to respond effectively to security incidents.

2. What is Privileged Access Management Metrics?

PAM metrics refer to the key performance indicators (KPIs) and measurements used to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and security of a Privileged Access Management solution. These metrics help organizations monitor, analyze, and improve their PAM practices.

3. What are Separation of Duties metrics?

SoD metrics are quantitative measurements used to assess and track the effectiveness of the Separation of Duties within an organization. These metrics provide insights into how well the SoD controls are implemented and whether there are any potential violations.

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