What does Identity and Access Management (IAM) primarily focus on?

Identity and Access Management (IAM) primarily focuses on verifying a user's identity and determining their access level to various resources within an organization. This essential component of cybersecurity ensures that the right individuals gain access to the appropriate resources at the right times and for the right reasons. IAM involves a series of processes, technologies, and policies designed to manage user identities and control access effectively.

The verification aspect of IAM is critical because it comprises user authentication methods such as passwords, biometrics, security tokens, and multi-factor authentication. These approaches are employed to confirm that users are who they claim to be. Once a user's identity is verified, IAM determines their access levels based on defined roles, permissions, and policies. This aligns with the principle of least privilege, ensuring users only access information necessary for their roles, thus enhancing security and minimizing risks.

Focusing on identity verification and access control is fundamental for managing user roles and maintaining the integrity of sensitive information, making it a prioritized function within IAM frameworks.