Streamlined for Security: IAM and Vendor Consolidation

With the proliferation of point solutions and the increasing reliance on cloud-based applications, organizations are finding it challenging to keep up with the ever-growing number of vendors. To address this issue, many companies are turning to vendor consolidation to minimize complexity. But migration between IAM vendors – or Identity Providers (IdPs) – has been out of the question with the critical nature of IAM solutions- and its deep integrations with many business functions.

This article will explore the benefits of vendor consolidation, why IAM migration can be complex, the pros and cons of consolidating IAM solutions, and the process of migrating IAM environments.

‍

Benefits of Vendor Consolidation

Vendor consolidation refers to reducing the number of external providers an organization uses. By consolidating vendors, companies can often reduce complexity of multiple software solutions, strengthen security, and find cost benefits through economies of scale.

1. Reduce Complexity:

Consolidating various tech vendors allows organizations to streamline the user experience for employees and administrators. System administrators benefit the most, reducing the time and effort required to manage multiple vendors.  Organizations can simplify administration by consolidating vendors, centralizing user management, and reducing the complexity of maintaining numerous vendors. This increased efficiency translates into cost savings and improved productivity.

2. Strengthen Security:

It’s pretty simple: consolidating vendors can potentially reduce your attack surface. Fewer integrations with third parties – where security is often beyond your immediate control – can reduce the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches.

3. Cost Savings:

Vendors typically will incentivize you to bring them more business. Patronizing a good vendor as much as possible will allow you to take advantage of price breaks and various discounts, clearly impacting   on your budget. Additionally, less time managing a smaller list of vendors can lead to efficiency and lower operational costs,

Why Not IAM Migration?

Despite the benefits of vendor consolidation, many enterprise organizations have considered IAM migration out of the question. Before solutions like MightyID, migration between IdPs has been a manual process, sometimes taking months or even years to complete.

IdP Vendor Lock-In

Vendor lock-in with IdP vendors has been a real struggle for many. With a few large players in the space, frustrations around lack of customer service, increased pricing, and stagnant tech development have been part and parcel with being a customer of such vendors.

In the past, the burden of switching IAM vendors was considered too time-consuming and costly.

IdP Migration to the Rescue!

With solutions like MightyID, companies can seriously consider switching IdPs. MightyID is the only technical solution to ease migration between major IdPs like Okta and Azure. W As awareness of this solution grows, we have seen an uptick in organizations requesting this service.

Through an automated ability to map critical functions, applications, users, and access, MightyID significantly decreases the manual effort often required to switch between IdP vendors.

Today’s Reality: Considerations When Evaluating IAM Migration

While vendor consolidation offers numerous benefits, being fully prepared before a migration is essential. Here are some key factors to consider:

IdP Security Profile:

Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions are crucial in modern cybersecurity strategies. Vendor lock-in aside, system admins should carefully consider the best IdP for their security needs.

Simplified Management:

What is your vendor management system like today? Are multiple vendors a point of concern or frustration? Consolidating IAM solutions simplifies administration and reduces complexity.

Auditing and Compliance:

Consider your IdPs and other vendors. How do they contribute to your auditing and compliance efforts? Would a consolidated vendor structure make conducting audits easier and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements?

Security Management:

A consolidated IAM approach enhances security posture by providing a unified view of user activities across the organization. This visibility is crucial for detecting and responding to potential security threats promptly Additionally, centralized IAM solutions often offer advanced features such as single sign-on (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA),improving overall security without compromising user experience.

Integration Challenges:

Consolidating IAM solutions may involve complex integration efforts and potential compatibility issues. Ensure you have the right team in place – or have identified the right partner – to assist in this complex process.

User Resistance:

Users may face a learning curve and resistance to change when transitioning to a new IAM system. Organizations must carefully plan and communicate the migration process to minimize disruptions and ensure a smooth transition for end-users. Plan to make communication frequent and detailed to provide comfort and visibility into any changes, reduce user frustrations, and create a positive user experience overall.

Executive Buy-In:

Executive buy-in is critical when making significant organizational changes. Ensure your executive team is looped in and on board with the effort.

Moving from Okta to Microsoft Entra

One of the primary motivations for vendor consolidation is the desire to migrate to a large, reputable vendor. We have seen a significant uptick companies looking to switch from an IAM point-solution – like Okta or Ping – to Microsoft Entra.

Here are some of the reasons clients are making the move:

Board and Executive Pressure:

As identity security becomes an increasing concern among non-security executives, more boards are pushing security professionals to ensure their IAM solutions are secure. This has caused greater vendor scrutiny and more questions about existing vendors like Okta, who have been in the news frequently over the last year.

Do More with Less

As IdP migration becomes possible, security professionals are placing it on the  potential long-term cost savings list. A fluctuating economy and long-term business concerns push executives to constantly evaluate their spending. Now that IdP migration is on the table consolidating more solutions under Microsoft can be along-term cost-saving measure. 

Brand Comfort

While not perfect, Microsoft is a familiar brand for many large enterprises. Many users are comfortable with a Microsoft user interface and find their applications intuitive and easy-to-use. Consolidating an IAM solution under the Microsoft Entra umbrella Is often a natural extension of existing business software.

Vendor Consolidation – A Business Decision

IAM migration is a complex undertaking that requires careful planning, technical expertise, and effective communication. However, the business drive of consolidated vendors can make the process a net gain, especially with the right tools in place.

With proper planning and execution, organizations can successfully navigate a IdP migration and achieve a vendor roster that enhances security, improves efficiency, and supports business growth.

‍