Identity and Access Management (IAM): Strengthening the Core of IT Security

Every IT environment relies on one central principle: only authorized users should access systems and data. Identity and Access Management (IAM) provides the structure to make that possible.

For managed service providers (MSPs) and internal IT leaders, IAM is not just a security tool. It is the foundation for operational efficiency, compliance, and trust. As digital infrastructures expand across multiple clouds, applications, and endpoints, IAM becomes the anchor that holds everything together.

This article explores what IAM is, how it has evolved, why MSPs take different approaches to implementation, and how solutions like Level’s RMM platform complement identity management through visibility and automation.

What Identity and Access Management (IAM) Does

Identity and Access Management defines how users are identified, authenticated, and authorized to access digital resources. It ensures that each person interacts only with the systems and data they are permitted to use.

An effective IAM system helps organizations:

• Reduce the risk of unauthorized access or insider threats.
• Streamline user onboarding and offboarding.
• Meet compliance and audit requirements.
• Simplify password management and policy enforcement.

Core Functions of IAM

1. Single Sign-On (SSO): Enables one set of credentials for multiple applications.
2. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adds layers of verification for secure access.
3. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Assigns permissions based on job roles.
4. Lifecycle Management: Automates provisioning, updates, and deactivation of user accounts.
5. Audit Logging and Reporting: Tracks access events for accountability and compliance.

These capabilities combine to form a unified control system that strengthens security without interrupting daily operations.

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How IAM Evolved with Cloud and Hybrid Work

IAM began as an internal function within corporate networks, typically managed through Active Directory and local authentication systems. Access was limited to on-premises servers and desktops.

That model changed as organizations adopted cloud platforms, remote work, and SaaS applications. Identities now exist across multiple environments, and the traditional security perimeter no longer applies.

Cloud-based IAM platforms such as Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, and Google Identity have redefined how access control works. They allow IT teams to manage authentication across distributed applications, users, and devices from a single control point.

For MSPs, this evolution means IAM is both an opportunity and a challenge. It creates new ways to serve clients securely but also requires managing identity policies across many unique infrastructures.

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IAM’s Place in the Modern IT Stack

A complete IT management stack typically includes three interdependent layers:

1. Identity and Access Management (IAM): Controls user authentication and authorization.
2. Endpoint Management (RMM): Maintains devices, patches, and configurations.
3. Automation and Monitoring: Keeps systems efficient and operational.

IAM acts as the first line of defense within this structure. It governs who can log in, what they can access, and how long those permissions remain active.

However, IAM is often added later in the process. Many MSPs and IT departments start by deploying endpoint tools and automation platforms, integrating IAM only after identity complexity increases. This incremental adoption can result in fragmented systems that need alignment between identity and device management.

Full-Feature IAM vs. Minimal IAM

Organizations vary in how they approach IAM implementation. The choice often depends on scale, risk profile, and available resources.

Full-Feature IAM

Comprehensive IAM platforms go beyond authentication to deliver advanced governance and analytics. These include:

• Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
• Privileged Access Management (PAM)
• Policy-based automation and approval workflows
• Contextual or adaptive authentication
• Audit-ready compliance reporting

This model suits large enterprises or industries that require detailed oversight, such as healthcare, finance, or government.

Minimal IAM

Smaller organizations and MSPs often favor a minimal IAM model that prioritizes the essentials:

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
• Single Sign-On (SSO)
• Basic Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

These features provide strong protection with less administrative complexity. To fill remaining gaps, MSPs rely on endpoint controls such as patch management, remote access policies, and monitoring tools. The combination of minimal IAM and robust device management can deliver enterprise-grade security without overextending resources.

Why MSPs Treat IAM as a Layer, Not a Core Platform

MSPs frequently integrate IAM as one part of a larger security framework instead of using it as a standalone platform. This approach keeps operations flexible and scalable across multiple clients.

Key reasons for this include:

1. Client Environment Diversity: Each customer may already have an established IAM provider such as Microsoft or Okta. Duplicating systems adds unnecessary complexity.
2. Simplified Management: Managing IAM through directory synchronization and SSO integrations reduces administrative effort.
3. Device-Centric Security: MSPs rely on endpoint visibility and policy enforcement to complement IAM.
4. Scalability: Layering IAM allows MSPs to apply consistent security policies across diverse infrastructures.

This strategy blends the strengths of identity management with endpoint oversight, creating a multi-layered defense model that balances usability and security.

IAM and Endpoint Control: Working Together for Security

IAM verifies who is accessing systems, while endpoint management verifies what they are using. Both perspectives are essential for complete visibility and protection.

Security Objective

• IAM Responsibility: Validates user identity through MFA and SSO
• Endpoint Management Responsibility: Confirms device legitimacy before granting access

Authorization

• IAM Responsibility: Defines user permissions and privileges
• Endpoint Management Responsibility: Enforces configuration and policy compliance

Visibility

• IAM Responsibility: Provides user activity logs
• Endpoint Management Responsibility: Monitors device performance and status

Compliance

• IAM Responsibility: Delivers access audit trails
• Endpoint Management Responsibility: Ensures systems meet patch and security requirements

Integrating IAM with endpoint management creates a closed-loop security model. MSPs and IT leaders can detect risks faster, enforce consistent policies, and maintain confidence that both users and devices meet organizational standards.

How Level Enhances IAM Through Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM)

Level complements IAM by providing complete visibility and control over devices, ensuring that only secure and compliant endpoints interact with organizational systems.

As an all-in-one IT management platform, Level simplifies how MSPs and IT teams manage large-scale environments. It integrates Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) capabilities that directly support IAM’s security objectives.

Level Features That Strengthen IAM

1. Comprehensive Device Inventory
   Gain visibility into every device linked to a user identity, enabling accurate access audits and compliance verification.
2. Device Groups and Tags
   Organize endpoints by department, policy, or function. This structure mirrors IAM group hierarchies, making policy enforcement seamless.
3. Secure Remote Access
   Browser-based remote control ensures that only authenticated technicians can connect to systems, reducing exposure to unauthorized access.
4. Patch and Compliance Management
   Automatically deploy patches and enforce configuration policies, keeping devices compliant with IAM security requirements.
5. Monitoring and Reporting
   Real-time alerts and reporting connect device data with IAM activity, helping teams identify risks and maintain complete operational visibility.

By integrating IAM principles with Level’s RMM capabilities, MSPs can maintain consistent access control, enhance endpoint trust, and reduce management overhead.

The Future of IAM: Integration and Automation

IAM continues to evolve toward a more connected, automated model. It is no longer just about verifying credentials. It is about understanding context: who is logging in, from where, and on what device.

Future IAM systems will:

• Integrate directly with endpoint health and compliance data.
• Automate user provisioning and deactivation based on real-time risk signals.
• Use AI-driven analytics to detect anomalies in access behavior.
• Present unified dashboards that merge identity, device, and application insights.

This evolution will lead to smarter, more resilient IT environments where IAM and endpoint management function as two sides of the same process.

Conclusion: Building a Unified IT Foundation

Identity and Access Management has become the cornerstone of secure and efficient IT operations. It controls how users interact with systems, ensures compliance, and builds digital trust.

For MSPs and IT leaders, IAM delivers both security and efficiency when paired with powerful endpoint management. Level’s RMM platform extends IAM’s benefits by adding real-time device control, automation, and compliance monitoring.

Together, IAM and Level provide a unified framework where identity verification and endpoint visibility work hand in hand. This alignment helps organizations maintain security, streamline management, and prepare for the next generation of integrated IT solutions.