In today’s world, there are more ways to prove your identity
than ever before. You have social security numbers, driver’s licenses,
fingerprints, retina scans and even retina glasses! But with all these
different forms of identification out there, it seems like we’re spending more
time proving who we are than doing the things we want to do, like spending time
with our families or being at work on time. Is there a better way?
This article
explores Identity as a Service (IDaaS) and how it might be the answer
to our growing pains regarding modern identity verification processes.
What is Identity as a Service (IDaaS)?
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| Identity as a Service |
cloud-based solution that allows businesses to outsource their identity and
access management needs. It can be a great option for businesses that don’t
have the resources to invest in on-premise solutions or for companies that want
to take advantage of the scalability and flexibility of the cloud.
Additionally, IDaaS providers typically offer more advanced features than
on-premise software. For example, some providers allow you to enable
authentication across multiple devices and applications (for example, Windows
logins via Azure AD).
In addition, many providers offer single sign-on, so
users only need to remember one password for all of their apps. Some services
even integrate with third-party systems like Salesforce CRM to provide SSO
capabilities within the application.
Why is Identity as a Service important?
In a world where more and more of our lives are lived
online, it’s important to have secure authentication methods in place. Identity
as a Service provides a high level of security by entrusting the management of
sensitive data to a third-party provider. This way, businesses/companies can
focus on their core competencies while leaving the task of identity management
to experts. With an IDaaS company as your partner, you’ll never have to worry
about breaches or data theft again.
The strong authentication provided by IDaaS
companies eliminates phishing attempts, minimizes brute force attacks, and
protects against fraud. With this peace of mind for your business comes greater
customer confidence in your brand because customers know they’re dealing with a
legitimate company. The convenience of one centralized location for all
operations also increases efficiency.
What are the services offered by Identity as a Service?
Identity as a Service offers user provisioning, Single
Sign-On (SSO), strong authentication, directory integration, and reporting and
analytics. User provisioning allows enterprises to create and manage user
accounts in the cloud. Single Sign-On allows users to access multiple
applications with one set of credentials. Strong authentication adds an extra
layer of security to user accounts. Directory integration allows enterprises to
connect their on-premises directories to the cloud.
Reporting and analytics are
used to monitor which systems are being accessed by which users for what
reasons. Identity-as-a-Service providers offer these services at different prices
depending on the needs of the enterprise and the number of concurrent
users.
What are the features of Identity as a Service?
IDaaS is a cloud-based authentication system built and operated by a third-party provider. Some of the features of using Identity as a Service include:
- Increased security
IDaaS providers have expertise in security and can offer better protection than most companies could provide on their own.
- Standardized systems
IDaaS providers, typically implement standard enterprise-wide systems, so employees only need to log into one account for access to all systems within an organization.
- Scalability
If a company grows significantly over time, it can increase the number of subscriptions without buying new hardware.
- Better price
With Identity as a Service, prices are calculated per user per month, so costs don’t rise when you need more services.
- User experience
The convenience of managing everything from one location makes logging in easier and more enjoyable for your users.
- One-stop shop
Instead of trying to coordinate with multiple vendors like HR software providers, you’ll be able to deal with just one provider for everything related to authentication.
What is the advantage of using IDaaS?
Identity as a Service has many advantages over traditional
on-premises identity management solutions. Perhaps the most obvious
advantage/benefit is that it frees enterprises from maintaining their
infrastructure.
IDaaS also provides greater flexibility since users can access
applications from any device with an Internet connection. IDaaS solutions are
typically more scalable than on-premises solutions, and they offer a higher
level of security since they benefit from the provider’s expertise in managing
identity data.
What are the disadvantages of IDaaS?
There are a few potential disadvantages of Identity as a
Service that enterprises should be aware of before signing up for a service:
IDaaS companies typically charge by the user, so enterprises
with large numbers of employees could see substantial monthly fees.
Identity as a Service is cloud-based; enterprises lose some
control over their data and its management.
Most IDaaS companies store the enterprise’s login
credentials on their servers. If these servers were to be hacked or
compromised, an enterprise would have no way to regain access to its accounts
without relying on a third-party company.
Many IDaaS providers do not offer 24/7 customer support,
which can frustrate enterprises when they need help quickly from outside hours.
Things to Consider When Choosing An IDaaS Provider
There are many factors to consider when choosing an IDaaS
provider.
- Security:
How secure is the IDaaS platform? What kind of
encryption do they use?
- Ease of Use:
How easy is it to set up and use the IDaaS
platform? Is there a learning curve?
- Cost:
How much does the IDaaS platform cost? Is there a free
trial period?
- Customer Support:
What kind of customer support does the
IDaaS provider offer? Do they have knowledgebase articles, forums, or video
tutorials? Does their staff speak English as a first language?
Conclusion
Overall, using IDaaS provides several advantages and
benefits for businesses. Perhaps most importantly, it can assist reduce costs
associated with managing on-premises identity and access management
infrastructure.
Additionally, it can help improve security by providing
multi-factor authentication and identity verification capabilities. It can also
increase efficiency by automating many tasks related to identity management.
For these reasons, Identity as a Service is an attractive option for businesses
looking to improve their identity management solutions.
