The growing capacity of massive online data collection by organisations has become a charming appeal to hackers. We can learn from security expert Transmit Security that this has necessitated a multilayer approach to user identification and verification before granting access to organisational systems – the foundational force behind IAM and CIAM solutions.
While the world of identity management is rarely contentious, the difference between IAM and CIAM has solicited heated debates among industry leaders. Some consider both CIAM and IAM as a subject of semantics. However, most players argue that there is an invariable weight on each side of the two tools.
In this article, we will define IAM and CIAM, highlight their similarities, and explain how each varies from the other.
What Is IAM?
Identity and Access Management, commonly denoted as IAM, is a security functionality built to control access to digital resources by employees. The primary objective of IAM is to ensure that organisational tools and resources are only accessed by the right workforce for a secure IT infrastructure.
Since IAM systems are designed for internal users, the IT demands of external users are not taken into consideration.
Again, IAM is a tool for internal operational efficiency, and authorisation privileges are easy to accommodate.
What Is CIAM?
As the name suggests, Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) is an identity control solution designed to manage the authentication of external users, commonly known as customers. In this case, customers can be consumers, contractors, suppliers, partners, and the public (citizens).
IT experts consider CIAM to be a redefined and advanced concept of IAM.
Unlike IAM, CIAM is generally user-friendly, with a focus on providing customers with a better user experience.
IAM Vs. CIAM: How are They Similar?
Generally, IAM and CIAM are identity management systems created to limit user access to IT tools and resources. The functional elements of the two solutions are similar across frameworks, such as authorisation, identification, and security.
What are the Differences Between IAM and CIAM?
Conventional IAM is a sufficient tool where user authentication remains within the domains of organisational employees. However, its functionality finds limits where such authentication is extended to customers. In such cases, a more robust system is necessary to manage the amount of information to be availed to specified external users.
So, in a nutshell, IAM is built for internal users, while CIAM is curated for external users.
Here are the key components that distinguish IAM from CIAM.
- User Experience
The user experience demands of an IAM solution are good but not critically thought out as in CIAM. The identity and Access Management system operates under the assumption that the users work under instructions and use applications that are made available to them.
On the other hand, user experience is a major priority to organisations looking for success in their digital operations. Businesses cannot afford to throw a system that renders customers unhappy and dissatisfied. As a result, CIAM solutions are created to offer seamless efficiency. They are also customisable to accommodate all customers.
- Scalability
Scalability is probably the number one differentiator between IAM and CIAM.
IAM is designed to accommodate a limited number of users, while CIAM extends its functionalities to massive user capacity.
In any case, the number of employees in an organisation will never match its projected customers. Therefore, the scalability demands of an IAM system are lower than the scaling requirements of CIAM.
- Identity Management
Even in the largest of companies, managing identities runs to hundreds or a few thousand individuals per period. Human resource departments can easily evaluate, add, and amend identities with almost zero fluctuation in these identities.
On the other hand, CIAM is built to run massive user databases. The system allows organisations to identify new users and their roles without manually entering data. CIAM is fully automated for bigdata identity management.
- Flexibility
IAM systems are generally inflexible. In case of any new changes, the process of making adjustments is slower and requires a lot of configurations. In most cases, IAM solutions rarely keep up with modern IT trends.
For CIAM, making system changes is fast and simple in configuration requirements. CIAM solutions are crafted to keep up with new industry standards and emerging consumer trends. The idea is that consumers should always find a CIAM system relevant to new technological environments.
What Is the Difference Between IAM and CIAM: The Bottom Line
The technologies behind IAM and CIAM are both important. IAM is tailored for employees, while CIAM is designed for customers. The difference is the dynamic features and elements built on top of the primary building blocks of these two systems. Such elements include flexibility, user experience, scalability, and identity management.
