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THE FIVE CRITICAL PILLARS OF CUSTOMER IDENTITY AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT
Managing access to systems can be challenging , especially when trying to strike a balance between customer experience and security . Customer identity and access management ( CIAM ) is at the core of ensuring a secure and seamless user experience across an organisation ’ s entire ecosystem . Malithi Edirisinghe , Director , Architect – IAM at WSO2 , shares her expertise on the five key pillars that make up a strong CIAM strategy .
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INTERCONNECTED digital landscape , effective management of customer identities is not just a technical requirement but a strategic asset . Customer identity and access management ( CIAM ) systems are at the heart of this , ensuring secure and seamless user experiences across numerous digital interfaces . Whether for individual consumers or business clients , CIAM facilitates personalised interactions while safeguarding sensitive data , complying with global regulations and improving business enablement and operational efficiency .
Malithi Edirisinghe , Director , Architect – IAM , WSO2
For those less familiar , CIAM is a specialised application of identity management focused on managing and securing customer identities . At its core , CIAM is designed to facilitate seamless , secure customer interactions across various digital platforms ( web apps , mobile apps , kiosks , etc .) while enhancing user experience and maintaining compliance with privacy regulations . Think of CIAM as the gatekeeper and guide within a digital amusement park . It not only ensures that customers can enter through the gates by authenticating through methods such as username / password and two-factor authentication , but it also directs them to the appropriate rides ( services ) based on their access privileges and preferences . This ensures a smooth and enjoyable visit that ’ s both secure and personalised .
A robust CIAM strategy is built upon five key pillars , each representing a critical competency for effective customer identity and access management . Let ’ s examine each of these pillars more closely :
1 . User onboarding and registration
The first step in a CIAM process is user registration , which converts anonymous , casual website visitors into known , active , registered users . In consumer-facing applications , user onboarding can be streamlined with Bring Your Own Identity
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