Building a Successful Identity Management Program

Higher education institutions face unique identity and access challenges. These include diverse user populations, decentralized IT environments, and constant change driven by academic calendars, research collaboration, and evolving technologies. A strong Identity and Access Management (IAM) program is essential to protecting sensitive data while enabling seamless access for students, faculty, staff, and partners. This session explores the foundational components of a successful IAM program in the higher education context. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of the three core pillars of IAM: authentication, authorization, and user life cycle management. These elements work together to support security, compliance, and operational efficiency. Drawing on real-world experience and current best practices, we will examine common IAM challenges such as federated identity management, inconsistent access policies, and balancing security controls with user experience. The session also highlights the importance of governance, policy development, and institutional alignment. It offers guidance on how to build IAM programs that support academic collaboration while reducing risk. Participants will leave with actionable insights and strategies to strengthen or evolve their IAM initiatives, positioning their institutions for long-term resilience and effective access management.