Research Note: The Convergence of The Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Privileged Access Management (PAM) Markets
Markets
Identity and Access Management (IAM) is a framework of policies and technologies that ensures the right individuals access the appropriate resources at the right times for the right reasons. IAM systems manage digital identities and user access to data, systems, and resources across an enterprise. These solutions typically include features such as single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, user provisioning, and access governance. IAM helps organizations enhance security, maintain regulatory compliance, and improve operational efficiency by streamlining user authentication and authorization processes. As businesses increasingly move to cloud-based and hybrid environments, IAM solutions have evolved to address the complex challenges of managing identities and access rights across diverse IT ecosystems.
Privileged Access Management (PAM) focuses specifically on securing, controlling, and monitoring access to critical assets by privileged users within an organization. PAM solutions provide tools for discovering and managing privileged accounts, implementing least privilege access, and monitoring privileged user activities. These systems often include features like password vaulting, session recording, and just-in-time access provisioning. PAM is crucial for protecting against both external threats and insider risks, as privileged accounts are prime targets for cybercriminals and can cause significant damage if misused. As cyber threats have become more sophisticated, PAM has evolved to incorporate advanced analytics, automation, and cloud-native capabilities to address the security challenges in modern IT environments.
The convergence of the Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Privileged Access Management (PAM) markets is a significant trend in the cybersecurity landscape. Here's a discussion on where and how these markets are coming together:
Integrated Platforms: Many vendors are now offering comprehensive identity security platforms that combine both IAM and PAM capabilities. This integration provides a single pane of glass for managing all types of identities and access rights across an organization.
Zero Trust Architecture: The adoption of Zero Trust security models is driving the convergence of IAM and PAM. This approach requires continuous verification of every user, device, and transaction, regardless of whether they are considered "privileged" or not.
Cloud-Native Solutions: As organizations move to the cloud, the distinction between regular and privileged access becomes less clear-cut. Cloud-native solutions are emerging that handle both general and privileged access management in a unified manner.
Identity Governance and Administration (IGA): IGA solutions are expanding to include privileged access governance, bridging the gap between traditional IAM and PAM functionalities.
Adaptive and Risk-Based Access Control: Both markets are moving towards more dynamic, context-aware access control mechanisms that can adapt in real-time to changing risk factors, regardless of the user's privileged status.
Privileged Access as a Service (PAaaS): The emergence of PAaaS solutions is bringing privileged access management into the broader identity-as-a-service (IDaaS) market, traditionally dominated by IAM vendors.
Machine and Non-Human Identities: Both IAM and PAM solutions are expanding to manage machine identities, APIs, and other non-human entities, leading to more overlap in their capabilities.
Behavioral Analytics: Advanced user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) are being incorporated into both IAM and PAM solutions, creating a unified approach to detecting anomalies across all user types.
DevOps and CI/CD Integration: The need to manage access in fast-paced DevOps environments is driving the integration of IAM and PAM capabilities into development and deployment pipelines.
Compliance and Reporting: Unified compliance reporting across both privileged and non-privileged access is becoming a standard feature, reflecting the merging of these markets.
Just-In-Time Access: The concept of just-in-time access provisioning, traditionally associated with PAM, is being applied more broadly across all types of access management.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Both markets are leveraging AI and ML to enhance decision-making around access rights, threat detection, and policy enforcement, leading to more intelligent, unified identity security solutions.
Identity-Centric Security: There's a growing recognition that identity should be at the core of security strategies, leading to a more holistic approach that doesn't distinguish as sharply between privileged and non-privileged identities.
This convergence is largely driven by the need for more comprehensive, streamlined security solutions that can address the complex identity and access challenges in modern, hybrid IT environments. As a result, organizations are increasingly looking for vendors that can provide end-to-end identity security capabilities, encompassing both traditional IAM and PAM functionalities in a cohesive, integrated manner.
Similarities
Core Purpose: Both markets focus on controlling and managing access to organizational resources, aiming to enhance security and compliance.
Identity-Centric: Both IAM and PAM are centered around managing digital identities, whether they are standard users or privileged users.
Access Control: Both implement mechanisms to control who can access what resources within an organization's IT environment.
Compliance and Auditing: Both markets offer solutions that help organizations meet regulatory requirements and provide audit trails of user activities.
Authentication: Both involve user authentication processes, often including multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Cloud Integration: As organizations move to cloud environments, both IAM and PAM solutions have adapted to support cloud-based infrastructures.
User Lifecycle Management: Both manage the lifecycle of user accounts, from creation to deletion.
Differences
Scope of Users:
IAM typically covers all users within an organization.
PAM focuses specifically on users with elevated or administrative privileges.
Level of Access:
IAM manages general access to applications and resources.
PAM deals with high-level, sensitive access to critical systems and data.
Risk Level:
While all access carries risk, PAM addresses higher-risk scenarios due to the potential impact of privileged account misuse.
Session Management:
PAM often includes detailed session recording and monitoring for privileged users.
IAM typically doesn't require this level of granular session oversight.
Just-In-Time Access:
PAM often emphasizes just-in-time privileged access provisioning.
IAM generally deals with more static access rights.
Password Management:
PAM includes advanced password vaulting and rotation for privileged accounts.
IAM focuses more on general password policies and self-service resets.
Regulatory Focus:
PAM is often a specific requirement in many compliance standards.
IAM supports compliance but may not be as explicitly required for specific privileged access controls.
Behavioral Analytics:
PAM solutions often include advanced behavioral analytics to detect anomalies in privileged user actions.
IAM may include user behavior analytics, but it's typically not as sophisticated as in PAM solutions.
Integration Depth:
PAM solutions often require deeper integration with operating systems and applications to manage privileged operations.
IAM typically integrates at the application and directory level.
As the markets converge, we're seeing these differences blur, with comprehensive solutions addressing both general and privileged access management needs. This convergence is driven by the recognition that a holistic approach to identity security is necessary in today's complex IT environments.
Title: GartnorGroup's evaluation of PAM market
Title: GartnorGroup's evaluation of IAM market
Identity and Access Management (IAM) Vendors:
Okta
Microsoft
Ping Identity
ForgeRock
IBM
OneLogin (now part of One Identity)
Salesforce
SailPoint
Oracle
Thales
Centrify (now part of Delinea)
CA Technologies (now part of Broadcom)
Saviynt
Fischer International
Simeio Solutions
Exostar
Ilantus
iWelcome
Privileged Access Management (PAM) Vendors:
CyberArk
BeyondTrust
Delinea (formed from the merger of Thycotic and Centrify)
One Identity
Broadcom (formerly CA Technologies)
Wallix
Imprivata
Micro Focus
ManageEngine
Arcon
Hitachi ID Systems (now Bravura Security)
Symantec (now part of Broadcom)
Remediant
Senhasegura
Osirium
ZOHO Corp
Krontech
NRI Secure Technologies