In today’s digital-first environment, keeping data safe and managing user access is at the forefront of every size organization’s agenda. As cyberattacks escalate and data privacy regulations escalate, understanding the difference between Identity Management (IdM) and Access Management (AM) is now more important than ever.
Though these terms are often used interchangeably, they serve distinct but complementary purposes in an organization’s cybersecurity framework. In this blog, we’ll dive deep into what each of them means, how they differ, and why both are essential for a robust security posture.
What Is Identity Management?
Identity Management is the process of creating, maintaining, and managing online identities. It can be conceived as the foundation of a user’s association with an IT system. It ensures that the correct individuals in a system are correctly identified and their online identity is consistent and secure across their lifecycle.
Principal Identity Management Functions:
User provisioning and de-provisioning: Adding employees by creating accounts upon joining an organization and removing them by deleting the same upon leaving an organization.
Identity repository: Storing identity data (e.g., usernames, passwords, roles).
Authentication systems: Verifying that a user is who they claim to be according to credentials or biometrics.
Single Sign-On (SSO): Allowing users to log in once to access numerous systems.
Why It Matters:
Without a robust identity management system, it is difficult to know who has access to your network — which makes insider attacks and unauthorized access more probable. It also becomes the basis for compliance requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2.
What Is Access Management?
Access Management deals with what an authenticated user can do after establishing their identity. It defines the rules, privileges, and roles that manage users’ access to applications, data, and services.
Principal Functions of Access Management:
Authorization: Determining what resources can be accessed by a user and what can be executed.
Policy enforcement: Applying access rules and security policies.
Multi Factor authentication (MFA): Adding additional layers of authentication to confirm user legitimacy.
Session management: Governing how long users are logged in and what happens on idleness.
Why It Matters:
Access management ensures that the users have access to only those resources they are allowed to use. This limits the attack surface, reduces data breaches risk, and supports a concept known as Least Privilege — users are given only as much access as they require to perform their work.
Most Notable Differences Between Identity Management and Access Management
| Feature | Identity Management (IdM) | Access Management (AM) |
| Focus | Managing user identities | Managing access to systems/resources |
| Core Objective | Authentication – verifying who the user is | Authorization – determining what the user can do |
| Key Functions | Provisioning, SSO, password management | Role-based access, MFA, access policies |
| Primary Tools | LDAP, Active Directory, Identity Providers | IAM solutions, policy enforcement tools |
| Lifecycle Stage | Begins when identity is created | Comes into play after identity is verified |
How Identity and Access Management (IAM) Function Jointly
Although identity and access management are separate components, they are both integral to a unified IAM (Identity and Access Management) system.
For instance, consider a new employee joining your company:
- Identity Management creates a unique digital identity for the employee.
- Access Management ensures they can access only the apps and tools required for their role — nothing more, nothing less.
Together, AM and IdM help ensure secure onboarding, efficient workflow, and reduced security risk.
Shared Tools and Technologies
Some of the leading IAM solutions that offer both identity and access management capabilities include:
- CyberArk
- Okta
- Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD)
- Ping Identity
- OneLogin
These solutions help with workflow automation, enforcing policy, and proving compliance across your IT environment.
Conclusion: Why Knowing the Difference Is Important
Cybersecurity is no longer optional — it’s necessary. Even though Identity Management and Access Management are separate tasks, they both have critical functions to play in making sure that only the right users with the right access at the right time are present.
The organizations that address each element separately but within an integrated IAM strategy are likely to protect their data, meet compliance needs, and facilitate their teams to operate efficiently.
If you’re just starting out with IAM or looking to advance your systems, understanding this difference is the start of building a secure digital ecosystem.
Need help installing secure IAM solutions?Identity Skills offers practical, in-depth CyberArk training for beginners and experienced users. Learn how to properly manage identities and manage access in production environments.