How to Compare Workforce IAM and IGA Providers

by Shasta Turney on February 3, 2021

Without question, comparing workforce identity and access management (IAM) and identity governance and administration (IGA) providers is a massive undertaking. The stakes are high to meet digital transformation requirements, support and secure a remote workforce, and be prepared for future disruptions. And, sadly, ramifications of a poor IAM and IGA purchase decision live long.

You need to evaluate IAM and IGA providers not only for their ability to meet your current requirements, but also those to come. But, what are they? And, how do you know you’re asking the right RFP questions for your unique needs?

We’re here to help with a highly informative Workforce IAM Evaluation Guide. The guide starts with a review of what to look for in an IAM and IGA solution in order to address today and tomorrow’s workforce demands and trends. For example:

Enabling remote work with trusted internal apps that can be accessed anywhere
Giving users secure and appropriate levels of access to resources, systems, and apps while constantly verifying that access at scale
Opening externally to third-party systems, apps, and identity-driven API ecosystems
Securing digital workplace IoT “things,” such as robotics and sensors, as well as their associated data and system integrations
Enabling a seamless migration of identities across systems to support evolving needs, such as reorganization or mergers and acquisitions
Decreasing the strain on IT departments, resources, and administrators

The guide also discusses that, in order to achieve all of the above and more, an IAM and IGA solution should include a series of strategic identity components that go beyond the basics of single sign on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), authorization, and so on.

For example, in order to ensure that you give users secure and appropriate levels of access to resources, systems, and apps and constantly verify that access at scale, you need a solution that takes the basic identity components ‘identity management’ and ‘identity governance’ to the next level. This includes integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) with your current identity systems. Using AI and ML, you can quickly collect and analyze identity data such as accounts, roles, and entitlements to identify security access and risk blind spots, as well as assist managers and approvers who conduct access reviews and approvals. The result is not only improved remote workforce security and operational inefficiency, but reduced costs as well.

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Yet, how would you know to ask providers about this capability if you don’t know it exists?

Asking the right IAM and IGA questions in your RFPs has long term consequences for your organization. The right purchase decision can result in:

An empowered and efficient workforce
Reduced risk and fraud
Accelerated legacy modernization and digital transformation
Improved regulatory compliance
Reduced costs

So, now that you are aware of AI- and ML-informed IGA here are several RFP questions you should ask providers:

Does the provider offer AI and ML capabilities to extend the governance functionality?
Can the AI engine consume data from other sources?
Is the solution flexible enough to work with other IAM solutions and data sources, or is it limited to the provider’s platform only?

ForgeRock has a fannatical commitment to our customers’ success. We wrote the Workforce IAM Evaluation Guide so you can be sure you cover all your bases when evaluating and comparing identity solution providers. It includes a list of basic and strategic IAM and IGA components, definitions (written in layman’s terms for those on your team unfamiliar with identity), as well as RFP questions to help make your selection process easier and comprehensive.