For The Love Of..., Health and Wellness

How Identity Management Can Protect Sensitive Information

Posted on by

Identity management lets users access the technology resources they need, whenever and wherever they require them. Whether it is for business or personal use, ensuring that people have access to the things they need and unauthorized users don’t is a difficult task.

This discipline includes three main ideas: identification, authorization, and authentication. Identification refers to the process of when a user first accesses a resource, usually by entering a username into a system. They then verify this identity through authentication, which can include a wide range of techniques from passwords to biometrics. Finally, the Identity and Access Management (IAM) system determines if the user is authorized to access a resource or perform an activity.

IAM systems are innovative because they ensure that simply verifying a user’s identity does not grant them access to every resource. Individualized settings narrow the scope of authority for each user, only allowing them to perform tasks that are necessary and relevant to their job (even if that job is a community member on a social media platform).

How can this protect sensitive information?

By giving users access to activities and information on a need-to-know basis, one can reduce the number of eyes that see sensitive data. The fewer users who can view private information, the fewer opportunities there are for that information to be compromised. From identity theft to data selling, limiting access protects users from major trouble.

One system that reaps the benefits of identity management is email. In the past few decades, email has become one of our main communication channels at home and at work. However, email is especially vulnerable to data breaches, with hackers, scammers, and legitimate companies making maintaining privacy difficult.

Thierry LeVasseur, a tech innovator and entrepreneur, has used his knowledge of the deep web to develop a series of patented solutions to email confidentiality problems. His innovations include email tracking capabilities, “for your eyes only” features, and a threaded view of email conversations. Not only do these make email more user-friendly but also more secure.

Keeping information secure across a wide range of websites is another issue internet users face. All-in-one password solutions have streamlined the process for both work and play. Single-click access increases efficiency while keeping confidential data secure in one centralized location. While this idea might sound less secure at first, tools like Okta Identity Management (founded and led by Todd McKinnon) actually alert users of security concerns to help avoid breaches.

Identity management systems are designed to protect private, sensitive information from cyber criminals. By taking measures to ensure data is only viewed and used by certain people, we reduce the risk of catastrophic breaches.

37 thoughts on “How Identity Management Can Protect Sensitive Information”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *