Very often the two IT security practices, Privileged Access Management (PAM) and Identity and Access Management (IAM) are misunderstood or mistaken to be the same. Both these access management security solutions are commonly used in large organizations and SMEs to manage authorization, authentication and seamless monitoring of the users on a large scale. However, if we perform a hair-split analysis, both the solutions serve a slightly different purpose in the enterprise IT environment. 

What is IAM?

Identity and Access Management (IAM) solution manages and controls the general end-users’ run-time access to the IT resources such as applications, network files etc. The purpose of the IAM solution is to enhance the IT operational effectiveness along with governing and managing the life-cycle of a large number of internal and external identities.

What is PAM?

Privileged Access Management (PAM) is a subset of IAM that controls and manages the privileged users’ access to the critical IT resources of an enterprise. It’s a secured method of allowing access to a set of end-users called as privileged users- the super users with elevated privileges or  administrative rights to access highly sensitive and confidential data, network devices among other critical IT assets whether hosted on-premise or on-cloud.

What are the Commonalities between IAM & PAM?

Role-based Access: Both IAM and PAM controls user access based on user roles and revokes the access rights once the task is over. It is not necessary that every user requires access to every application. Hence, role-based access is the first step towards a robust security goal where predefined sets of permissions are set to accomplish specific tasks.

Multi-factor Authentication: It adds an additional layer of security that is beyond just an access credential consisting of username and password. IAM authenticates predefined system-based users with OTP-based authentication, biometrics, sometimes Password-less mechanisms such as QR codes, while PAM offers robustness in access controls with adaptive authentication mechanism. It uses unique verifying parameters such as geo-location, IP address, biometric data or even typing speed of the privileged user to ensure that the user is genuine.

Seamless Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of the end-user activities is an essential security component of IAM, so as for PAM. It helps organizations to ensure that the suspicious activities are identified and notified immediately after detection, so that the IT security team can take prompt action.

Reporting: As per the demands of the regulatory standards, comprehensive audit reports of every end-user activities is mandatory in any organization. IAM helps organizations with a detailed analytic report of every user activity to the target systems. PAM customizes the report with detailed analytics of every privileged access to the target systems/ applications. It helps IT managers in improving user decision making and enables auditors to assess regulatory compliance status of the organization.

How are they Different?

IAM and PAM have some major differences too. Here are some.

Conclusion

IAM helps enterprises to map which end-user can access which resources/ applications in the IT ecosystem. PAM, in this scenario, defines who has access permission or administrative access to IT resources. While addressing the IT security demands, enterprises ensure the access control management is successfully restored with centralized access management policy in place. With both IAM & PAM working together, it is convenient for any organization to manage overall access control policy in a secured manner.

Building & protecting Identity

Who does not love his/ her identity? Everyone on this planet loves to create his/ her identity that can be exclusive. Not only that, every individual irrespective of geography, race and education looks for a commendable identity of their progeny. Moreover, we intermittently struggle to protect our identity from bad-mouthing, false accusations, reputation maligning. A person’s identity or image influences the identity of his/ her nearer and dearer ones.

And the same thing goes with digital identities

Digital identity is the online existence of any personal data and organizational data. Just like our personal identity, digital identities face threats from cyber-criminals. In the case of digital identity, we protect our digital presence from cyber-threats. 

Some Examples

Today, digital identity is formed immediately after a child is born. Today, the government authorities of any country records the details of every child’s birth in digital mode. In addition to the child’s details, the records also include the parents’ personal details, their communication details, social security numbers (PAN/ AAdhar Number in India) which is highly case-sensitive. 

A school kid today has his/ her digital identity in the form of an email ID that is used to access virtual classes, submit online assignments or appear for examinations. So if it is compromised, then the student could suffer unprecedented misuse of his/ her identity. 

Similarly, if it happens in the enterprise IT ecosystem, what could be the consequences? The IT infrastructure of a typical enterprise comprises hundreds or thousands of identities. These identities provide access to confidential information. В сфере выпечки и кондитерских изделий семена каннабиса становятся популярным добавлением, придающим блюдам особый вкус и питательную ценность. Это делает их привлекательными для любителей здоровой пищи.

From a corporate IT security point of view, managing, controlling and monitoring identities is highly imperative to secure confidential business information.

Any kind of compromise of the digital identities might wreak havoc on organizations with:  

• Data Breach
• Cyber Espionage
• Identity theft
• Malign of Enterprise goodwill
• Application misuse 

Digital Identity Governance

Just like all the attention we pay to protecting our personal identity, organizations must ensure adequate safeguards to protect digital identity. And that starts with digital identity governance. Solutions such as Identity and Access Management (IDAM) and Privileged Access Management (PAM) are the most critical components of digital identity management and governance. These solutions offer a comprehensive overview of all the identities that exist in the IT ecosystem. The solutions ensure authenticity, accountability, and scrutiny of every digital identity. 

Conclusion

In the era of digitalization, human identity has been digitized for ease of access and convenience. While we are getting habituated to digital money, attending virtual meetings, conducting online classes or even seeking medical assistance from doctors, digital identity has become a must in our daily life. It can unlock solutions or services for a wide range of basic and empowering services for individuals. However, to make the whole digital experience seamless, digital identity governance is absolutely essential. 

Digital identity theft, in particular, has taken an evil shape where IT fraudsters targeting both businesses and individuals for cyber-attacks. Fraudsters can target an individual for any personal gain like accessing one’s financials and other records. They can also target businesses for stealing confidential information and other business data. Thus, it has become vital for us to address digital identity theft.

But for many, it is still a nascent subject as many don’t know what digital identity theft is, how it works, and how it can affect them. To elucidate the importance of addressing the issues related to digital identity theft, we have created this post where we will discuss everything you need to know about it so that you can protect yourself and your business in our increasingly exposed and connected environment.

What is Digital Identity Theft?

The sudden rise of the internet and e-commerce has taken online identity theft to new levels. Identity theft is all about accessing your personal details online. Now, a fraudster can access your personal information for any purpose. Using the widely available tools on the internet, hackers can trick unsuspecting internet users into providing personal information, which they later use for illicit purposes. The potential for identity theft is a major hurdle in the growth and evolution of the digital world. Digital identity theft can happen in a number of ways but in the majority of cases, the fraudster steals an individual’s personally identifiable information (PII) using scams or activities like planting malicious viruses and software on their system. Personally identifiable information could be anything from bank account number to driving license, social security number, or any other information that can distinguish digital identity.

What is risky about digital identity theft is that fraudsters can make a digital clone of the owner for personal gain. The following are some of the ways how fraudsters can manipulate personal information:

• Rent an apartment or pass an employment background check, using your financial and personal information
• Get medical care using your health insurance
• File income tax return using your social security number and claim your refund
• Make unauthorized purchases using your debit or credit card
• Open a bank account or avail new credit cards or loan using your details

Thus, it is important that you are fully aware of the situation and immediately report any instance where you may feel like your digital identity has been stolen.

Problems Posed by Digital Identity Theft

Fraudsters can profit from your information in a variety of ways. For starters, they can steal your money and other benefits. How fraudsters use your information depends on what information they have. In case the cyber crook has credit card number, address, and name, they can misuse. Moreover, if they get their hands on sensitive information like your social security information, they can file a tax return and steal all your refund, apply for government benefits, receive medical treatment using your health insurance, steal your airline miles, or company data and sell it to the highest bidder.

Identity thieves are most active on the dark web where they expose the stolen information for a price. A dark web is that part of the internet, which isn’t regulated, centralized, or indexed by the search engine. For example, a US passport can sell for up to $2000 on the dark web. The fraudster can sell your credit card number for up to $110, and your social security number for $1 or more.

Last but not the least, digital identity theft can lead to the creation of multiple social media accounts of an individual. The thief, in disguise of the owner, talks to different people and retrieve information. They can also use your fake account to pass a job background check and even rent an apartment. Individuals with no criminal background and a good credit card history are often the targets of the fraudsters.

• Who are the victims?

Cybersecurity experts suggest that the likelihood of experiencing identity theft appears to be higher in women, younger consumers, and people with higher income. Moreover, an individual’s risk of being a victim of digital identity theft depends on how many noncash accounts he/ she has and how often (intensity) they are used. Moreover, it may also depend on where an individual conducts most of his/ her business and the precautionary measures he/ she follows. Since data that directly measure these factors is not available, it can be hard to tell the risks faced by the demographic groups.

• Tools of the trade

If you think that your personal data is safe online, you are wrong. You knowingly share your personal details, including your location via social media and other digital platforms. When you do this, you are putting your information into the wrong hands. Just like us, fraudsters are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and tools that they use to steal one’s personal information. It is vital that you understand what these tools of the trade are so that you can protect yourself.

• Phishing – It is a fraudulent activity where cybercriminals send fake emails posing to be from a legitimate company. The email contains links that lures to click on it and collect personal information. Those are malicious links and are easy access to the personal details.

• Malware – A malware attacks your system to steal your personal information. Cybercriminals can use malware for your system through various means. It includes key loggers, Trojans, spyware, and viruses.

• Poor Passwords – This is one of the common vulnerabilities that people make while creating passwords for banking accounts, social media accounts and other online platforms. Poor passwords are the gateways for cybercriminals to access private information.

• Pharming – Pharming is a cyber-attack where your internet browser is compromised by a virus. In other words, your browser gets hijacked by the hacker, and they can access any saved passwords and account information.

Addressing Digital Identity Theft

This is a growing concern worldwide. Some popular cybersecurity practices can keep yourself and your family’s digital identities safe from hackers.

• How to prevent Digital Identity Theft?
  • Use antivirus software and firewall
  • Avoid using public Wi-Fi
  • Always update your OS and other critical applications
  • Always download from trustworthy sources
  • Avoid emails from unknown senders
  • Avoid visiting suspicious websites
  • Refrain from sharing of personal information digitally

Conclusion

Keeping yourself protected from the cyber goons is not an easy job. However, some best possible IT security practices can minimize the risks to some extent. From business perspective too, securing critical digital assets is the key to business continuity and prosperity.