As technology evolves, more higher education institutions are adopting online learning platforms that require better identity and access management (IAM) solutions. With students, and educators logging in and out from the safety of their homes, it’s important to keep their digital identities secure with Single Sign-on (SSO) solutions. IAM has become increasingly useful in helping secure data and systems by managing who gets access at the right time, at the right place.

The need for Access Management (IAM) in the current digital landscape

Whether you’re a business owner or someone in charge of technology or security at a higher education institution, you trust your digital environments to become digital strongholds. Identity and Access Management is your first line of defense for all the sensitive data that comes and goes with every user’s interaction. Nowadays, digital identities are so seamlessly integrated we underestimate how one simple mistake can compromise a whole institution.

With the current technology, IAM functions as a channel for assisting and creating system solutions to better understand and engage with your users to create a safe and easy-to-use experience.

Benefits of using IAM in your institution:

• With a digital identity management solution, IT and security leaders can manage multiple identities while saving time for themselves and end-users.
• Reduce operational costs by managing password reset requests –which have tripled since the adoption of remote learning.
• Quickly manage users with multiple roles and access levels that would otherwise require complex onboarding.
• A centralized solution for user identities, profiles, and configurations across different channels and devices, regardless of location and hosting.

IAM is a powerful tool for CIOs and CISSOs who are in need of managing each aspect of their institution’s security. From faculty and student information to application data access, IAM helps enable smart onboarding in the safest way possible.

Here’s how IAM works:

1. Makes the user experience easier

IAM can reduce the complexity of end-user identity and account management by eliminating manual processes. The account management system helps end-users while making it easier for IT to do their job.

This IAM implementation consists of an integrated ecosystem of apps and services that can be accessed by the end-user. Whether it’s for logging in, accessing a file that you need, or just finding out who else on campus has access to certain data, IAM provides a seamless experience, enabling institutions to quickly move from ideas to deliverables with a minimal amount of effort while mitigating incoming threats.

2. Brings the team together

IAM has made collaboration easier. By removing access limitations for end-users, staff can securely communicate information across the institutional digital ecosystem. Furthermore, IAM enables users to exploit authentication standards, providing the institution with a competitive advantage. This is especially relevant for research and multilevel projects that require sensitive data to be shared and managed in the safest way possible.

3. Empowers users

With IAM, higher education institutions have the proper tools for safeguarding their applications, databases, networks, and IT infrastructure without sacrificing efficiency in doing so. At QuickLaunch, we ensure the integrity of sensitive data through encryption at rest and transport layers. This way, data cannot be intercepted from external and internal threats.

Colleges, universities, and institutions that rely solely on passwords and antiquated cybersecurity solutions are vulnerable to threats like phishing and credential stuffing attacks that exploit the user’s weaknesses through social engineering. Identity and access management is a vital information safeguard in these cases. Adapting IAM means first defending your institution, then your people, so that they can assist and protect the end-user. With Multifactor Authentication (MFA), users are required to provide more than two forms of identity verification before allowing access to the network.

4. Drives innovation

IAM increases the agility of application development and deployment by eliminating the developers’ need to reinvent or duplicate potentially vulnerable authentication systems. IAM also removes any need in managing such duplicates, increasing productivity while maintaining security standards with ease.

With IAM, higher education institutions are better prepared to counter disruptive innovation by reallocating developers’ efforts into new initiatives.

In a world of digital intimidation and cyberattacks, shield yourself with IAM. Protect yourself and Schedule a Demo with QuickLaunch today.

About QuickLaunch

QuickLaunch is the #1 leader in Identity and Access Management (IAM) for Higher Education. More than 500+ organizations trust QuickLaunch’s platform to manage over 2,000,000 identities and integrate over 3,000 applications worldwide. CIOs, CTOs, and CISOs use QuickLaunch IAM technologies to engage with students, faculty, and staff and protect them throughout their journey. QuickLaunch’s technology is vital in protecting the user experience, driving both operational efficiencies and higher productivity for colleges, universities, and institutions.