Glossary / Workforce Identity and Access Management

Workforce Identity and Access Management

What is the definition of workforce identity?

Workforce identity refers to the way an organization manages and secures the digital identities of its employees, contractors, and other internal users. It encompasses authentication, access control, and identity lifecycle management to ensure that the right people have the right level of access to the right resources at the right time.

Key components of workforce IAM

Key components of workforce IAM include:

  1. Identity and access management (IAM) – Systems and policies that control user access to company applications and data.
  2. Single sign-on (SSO) – A method allowing employees to use one set of credentials to access multiple systems.
  3. Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) – An extra layer of security requiring additional verification steps beyond just a password.
  4. Role-based access control (RBAC) – Ensures that employees only have access to the data and applications relevant to their job.
  5. Lifecycle management – Automates processes like onboarding new employees, updating access as roles change, and deactivating accounts when someone leaves.
  6. Zero Trust security – A security model where no user or device is automatically trusted, requiring continuous verification.

Workforce identity is crucial for security, compliance, and productivity, helping businesses protect sensitive data while enabling employees to work efficiently.

What is the difference between customer identity and workforce identity?

The main difference between Customer Identity and Workforce Identity lies in who the identities belong to and how they are managed. Here’s a breakdown:

FeatureCustomer Identity (CIAM)Workforce Identity (IAM)
Who it servesExternal users (customers, partners)Internal users (employees, contractors)
Primary goalEnhancing user experience, security, and personalizationControlling access, security, and compliance
Authentication methodsSocial logins, passwordless, MFA, SSOMFA, SSO, role-based access control (RBAC)
Access controlManages access to customer portals, e-commerce, and appsManages access to internal tools, databases, and cloud services
User lifecycleSelf-service account creation, profile updates, consent managementHR-driven onboarding, role-based provisioning, offboarding
Security focusFraud prevention, data privacy (GDPR, CCPA compliance)Zero Trust security, insider threat protection, regulatory compliance (SOX, HIPAA)
Examples of solutionsOkta Customer Identity, Auth0, ForgeRock CIAM, Ping IdentityOkta Workforce Identity, Microsoft Entra ID, CyberArk, SailPoint

Key Differences in Practice

  • Customer Identity (CIAM) is designed for scalability and ease of use, ensuring seamless logins and personalization for millions of users.
  • Workforce Identity (IAM) focuses on strict security and compliance, managing employee access to corporate resources.

 

What are examples of workforce identity products?

There are several workforce identity products on the market, designed to help businesses manage and secure employee access to systems and data. Here are some key examples:

Identity & Access Management (IAM) Solutions

  • Okta Workforce Identity – Provides Single Sign-On (SSO), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and lifecycle management for employees.
  • Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) – Microsoft’s identity solution that integrates with Office 365 and other enterprise applications.
  • Ping Identity – A robust IAM solution for large enterprises, offering advanced authentication and security.
  • ForgeRock Identity Cloud – An enterprise-grade IAM solution with strong security and scalability.

Single Sign-On (SSO) & Authentication

  • Google Cloud Identity – Provides SSO, MFA, and endpoint management for organizations using Google Workspace.
  • IBM Security Verify – An AI-powered authentication and IAM platform for enterprises.
  • Auth0 (by Okta) – A flexible authentication platform that allows custom identity management solutions.

Privileged Access Management (PAM)

  • CyberArk – Specializes in securing privileged accounts to prevent insider threats.
  • BeyondTrust – Offers password vaulting and session monitoring for privileged users.

Identity Governance & Administration (IGA)

  • SailPoint – Helps businesses manage identity governance, compliance, and user access lifecycle.
  • Saviynt – Cloud-based IGA with automation for user provisioning and compliance monitoring.

Learn more about the differences between CIAM and workforce identity in this blog post

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