The cloud has changed the way we think about identity and access management. No longer are businesses bound by the traditional constraints of on-premises infrastructure. Companies can now dynamically provision and de-provision user identities with the cloud as needed. The cloud has also changed how businesses think about a user identity’s lifecycle. In the past, a user would be provisioned an identity when they joined an organization, and that identity would be valid for the duration of their time with the organization. However, in the cloud, user identities can be provisioned and de-provisioned on an as-needed basis.
The digitalization of user identity management can be seen as a major advantage of the cloud, as it allows organizations to be more agile in their identity management. However, it also introduces some new challenges. For example, how do you ensure a user’s identity is properly managed throughout their lifecycle?
This blog post will look at the different stages of a cloud user identity and how companies can better manage each stage.Â
What is the lifecycle of a cloud user identity?
A cloud user identity has a lifecycle that starts when the user is provisioned and ends when the user is deleted. In between, the user’s identity is managed by the Identity and Access Management (IAM) system. When a new user is provisioned, the IAM system assigns them a unique identifier and creates their initial security credentials. These credentials allow the user to access the resources they are allowed to use. As the user accesses different resources, the IAM system tracks their activity and updates their security credentials accordingly. If the user’s activity changes or needs to access a different resource, their security credentials are updated to reflect this.
When a user is no longer needed, their identity is deleted from the IAM system, and their security credentials are revoked. The IAM system manages the cloud user identity lifecycle to ensure that only those who require access to resources have it and only have access to the resources they need.
The different stages of the user’s lifecycle are:
- Onboarding
- Ongoing access tweaks
- Monitoring and reporting
- Offboarding: Deprovisioning
Benefits of cloud user identity management
Increased security
The benefits are two-fold. First, cloud user identity reduces the need for on-premises identity infrastructure, which can be costly and complex to manage. Second, it allows organizations to take advantage of the latest security technologies only available in the cloud. For example, by moving to cloud user identity, organizations can take advantage of single sign-on (SSO) technologies. SSO allows users to authenticate once and then access all of their applications and data without having to remember multiple passwords. This makes life easier for users and reduces the chances of compromised passwords.
Simplified management
Identity management was typically managed on-premises with various tools and siloed data. With the rise of cloud computing, identity management is becoming simpler and more centralized. Cloud user identity simplifies management by consolidating all user data into a single platform. It also makes tracking and managing user access easier.
Easy access from any device
Cloud identity management services provide single sign-on access to your cloud applications. You only have to remember one username and password, and you can access your cloud apps from any device. Another benefit is that it can help you keep your personal and professional identities separate. You can use different usernames and passwords for your work and personal accounts.
Zero trust compliance
With the rise of cloud computing, organizations increasingly rely on cloud-based services to store and manage data, leading to a new set of security challenges, as traditional security models are no longer effective in protecting data in the cloud. One of the biggest challenges is protecting user identities, as users with multiple identities often access cloud services. This makes it difficult to determine which users should have access to which data and makes it easy for unauthorized users to gain access to sensitive data. Many organizations are adopting a Zero Trust Security model for their cloud services to combat these challenges. By using this model, organizations can better protect their data in the cloud and improve their overall security posture.
How to better manage the lifecycle of a cloud user identity
The cloud has become an integral part of many businesses, and with that comes the need to manage user identities effectively. There are a few key things to keep in mind when it comes to managing cloud user identities:
- Keep track of who has access to what: It’s important to know who has access to cloud resources and ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive data.
- Manage passwords and secrets carefully: Passwords and secrets are the keys to the kingdom in the cloud, so it’s important to manage them carefully. Be sure to use strong passwords and rotate them regularly.
- Use multi-factor authentication: Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide additional proof of identity, such as a code from a mobile device.
- Monitor activity carefully: It’s important to monitor activity in the cloud to look for suspicious activity. Be sure to set up alerts to notify you of any unusual activity.
By following these tips, you can better manage the lifecycle of cloud user identities and help keep your data safe.
Streamlining user lifecycle management with Jumpcloud
User lifecycle management is critical to organizations, and Jumpcloud provides a central platform to manage users, resource access, and activity. It makes it easy to onboard new users, control access to corporate resources, and monitor user activity. Additionally, Jumpcloud integrates with various popular applications and services, making it a comprehensive solution for user lifecycle management.
If you have questions related to this topic, feel free to book a meeting with one of our solutions experts, mail to sales@amazic.com.
