The rapid pace of digitization and the accelerated introduction of new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are forcing organizations to reimagine their business models to stay competitive. But as technology accelerates, so do cyber threats. Traditional Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems, built during a different era, struggle to secure today’s complex multicloud environments teeming with huge volumes of data. The result? Security gaps, inefficiencies, heightened vulnerabilities and an inability to accelerate tech driven evolutions to our business models.
IAM modernization isn’t just about cybersecurity—it’s a business enabler. It drives agility, operational efficiency, and resilience, making it a critical investment for forward-thinking organizations.
The IAM Challenge: An Identity Explosion and Growing Risk
Organizations today manage nearly 10 billion identities—spanning employees, contractors, applications, and machine accounts. Every one of these access points is a potential attack vector. The facts tell a clear story:
- Businesses must now secure sprawling attack surfaces across on-prem, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments.
- Regulatory compliance is more stringent than ever, with customers demanding stronger security protections.
IAM is no longer a back-office IT function—it’s a fundamental pillar that enables growth and builds trust in our organizations.
A Strategic Framework for IAM Modernization
Organizations can move beyond outdated security models and adopt a proactive, business-driven IAM strategy. Here are some key considerations:
- Enhance Visibility and Control
A lack of visibility creates security blind spots. The first step in IAM modernization is conducting a full inventory of users, applications, and access points. Ask yourself:
- Do we have visibility and control of critical access to our crown jewels?
- Which access processes are slowing us down?
- Are our processes still relevant and effective in today’s threat landscape?
- Will our IAM tools scale and evolve as we adapt our business models?
With clear insights, businesses can prioritize investments and implement IAM initiatives that provide real business value.
- Prioritize IAM as a Business Imperative
Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue—it’s a business priority. It’s important for leadership to recognize IAM’s role in securing data, enabling compliance and frictionless access, while building trust with our consumers. Making IAM a strategic focus fosters cross-functional collaboration and supports acceleration of organizational objectives.
- Leverage Automation for Efficiency
Manual IAM processes tend to be slow, error-prone, and unsustainable. Automation can drive efficiency in key areas:
- Automatically revoking access to cloud and on-premise environments when employees leave.
- Flagging high-risk permissions for immediate review to stay ahead of insider threats.
- Streamlining access certification to reduce admin overhead.
However, automation should be applied strategically—it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Human oversight remains essential for governance and risk management.
- Integrate AI Thoughtfully
AI-driven IAM solutions can analyze vast identity datasets, detect anomalies, and streamline access governance. But AI must be deployed carefully—without proper governance, it can introduce new security risks. Organizations should consider establishing robust access policies and governance frameworks before implementing AI solutions.
- Optimize the User Experience
Security should enhance, not hinder, productivity. IAM processes must be user-friendly, reducing friction while inspiring trust in our user communities by demonstrating a strong security posture. By prioritizing user experience, businesses can improve adoption rates and minimize risks related to data access and data theft
What’s Next for IAM? Preparing for the Future
IAM is rapidly evolving, and organizations that adapt will be well positioned for success. Key trends shaping the future include:
- IAM as Code: Enabling scalable, automated IAM deployment in cloud environments.
- Machine Identity Management: Securing APIs, bots, and non-human identities through automation.
- AI-Driven IAM: Enhancing decision-making and reducing administrative burdens.
- Zero Trust Architectures: Strengthening identity security as a core component of enterprise-wide Zero Trust strategies.
- Risk Driven Decisions: Being compliant is no longer enough. Enable your organization to make risk-based decisions based on real-time data.
Organizations that prepare for these shifts now can remain secure and competitive in the changing business landscape.
How PwC Canada and Saviynt can help
PwC Canada and Saviynt are working together to help organizations address complex IAM by combining deep industry expertise with advanced technology. PwC Canada’s IAM practice supports our clients to successfully drive digital IAM transformation through a tech-powered and people-led approach that enhances both cybersecurity and business agility. Saviynt’s Identity Cloud delivers a cloud-native IAM platform, that provides modern capabilities needed to meet the challenges organizations are facing and will face as their access requirements continue to evolve. Together, we help organizations implement streamlined IAM programs that enhance both security and business agility. Our approach helps organizations:
- Transition from outdated IAM systems to modern, scalable solutions.
- Strengthen identity security while improving operational efficiency.
- Align IAM strategies with long-term business goals.
Ready to modernize your IAM strategy? Learn More.
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Authors:
Moshe Toledano, Partner, Cybersecurity, Privacy and Financial Crime, PwC Canada
Vinay Ramakrishna, National Lead, IAM & Digital Identity, Cybersecurity, Privacy & Financial Crime, PwC Canada
Meagan Williams, VP of Sales, Canada, Saviynt
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