The piece welcomes readers back to the second installment of the IAM Gatekeepers Best Practices Blog Series. The author uses an extended board game metaphor, comparing identity and access management to playing Monopoly, where “the dice of associations and correlations determine our progress.”
Introduction to Associations and Correlations in IAM
These foundational concepts serve as game pieces that guide the IAM journey, using the “Go” space as an entry point to understanding how identity elements connect and relate to each other.
Understanding Associations in IAM
Associations function as “invisible blueprints guiding us to erect our houses (digital identities) strategically,” comparing them to property management in the board game. They create direct connections between identity components like users, roles, and permissions.
Understanding Correlations in IAM
Correlations are presented as unexpected discoveries, likened to drawing cards from Chance and Community Chest, which “unravel hidden linkages within the digital identity landscape.” They reveal patterns and relationships that might not be immediately apparent.
Security and Management Enhancement
These concepts act as protective strategies, similar to the Jailhouse safe haven, safeguarding systems from security risks while streamlining identity governance processes.
Behavioral Insights
Analyzing associations and correlations provides predictive intelligence for anticipating potential threats, enabling proactive security measures and informed access decisions.
Implementation Best Practices
The chapter offers strategic guidance for effectively deploying these concepts within organizational IAM frameworks, setting the foundation for deeper exploration in subsequent chapters.
Conclusion
The author reflects on learning gained and previews upcoming chapters in the series, maintaining the playful Monopoly game narrative throughout while emphasizing the critical importance of associations and correlations in modern IAM.