Identity and Access Management (IAM) Maturity measures how effectively an organization manages user identities and access across its systems. A mature IAM program ensures only authorized users access necessary resources, boosting security, reducing risks, and improving efficiency.
Most organizations are still in the early to mid-stages of IAM maturity, leaving them vulnerable to identity-based threats. A new study of 626 IT professionals by the Ponemon Institute, sponsored by GuidePoint Security, shows that despite growing awareness of insider threats and identity breaches, IAM is often under-prioritized compared to other IT security investments. All participants in the study are involved in their organizations’ IAM programs. Key insights include:
- Low Confidence in IAM Effectiveness:
Only 50% of respondents rate their IAM tools and investments as effective - Manual Processes Impede Progress:
A key barrier to IAM maturity is the continued reliance on manual or semi-manual processes - High Performers Set the Standard:
Only 23% of organizations qualify as “high performers”—those that rate their identity tools and investments as highly effective (9 or 10 out of 10) - Technology, Expertise, and Resource Gaps:
Lack of appropriate technologies (54%), in-house expertise (52%), and resources (45%) are cited as top challenges to achieving IAM maturity. - IAM Implementation Misaligned with Security Goals:
Surprisingly, 45% of respondents say the primary driver for IAM investments is to improve user experience—not security. - Policy and Platform Disconnect:
While most organizations report having policies in place or in development (83%), only 28% have these policies integrated into their IAM platforms.
Achieving IAM maturity requires a strategic shift—moving from reactive, manual processes to integrated, automated identity security. Organizations that treat IAM as foundational to cybersecurity, not just IT operations, are best positioned to reduce risk, streamline access and build trust in a dynamic threat landscape. Read our report to uncover these challenges and discover actionable strategies to overcome them.
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