What are the best IAM architectures for cloud computing?

Cloud computing offers many benefits, such as scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency, but it also poses some challenges, especially when it comes to identity and access management (IAM). IAM is the process of verifying who can access what resources and under what conditions in a cloud environment. IAM architectures and patterns can help you design and implement effective IAM solutions that meet your security, compliance, and business requirements. In this article, we will explore some of the best IAM architectures and patterns for cloud computing, and how they can help you achieve your goals.

1 Centralized IAM

One of the most common IAM architectures for cloud computing is centralized IAM, which means that you have a single source of truth for your identity data and policies across your cloud platforms and services. Centralized IAM can simplify your IAM operations, reduce complexity and duplication, and improve consistency and visibility. You can use a cloud-based IAM service, such as AWS IAM, Azure Active Directory, or Google Cloud Identity, to manage your users, groups, roles, permissions, and policies in a centralized manner. Alternatively, you can use a third-party IAM solution, such as Okta, Auth0, or Ping Identity, to integrate your existing identity sources, such as Active Directory or LDAP, with your cloud services.

Add your perspective

Navveen Balani

LinkedIn Top Voice | Google Cloud Fellow | Chair - Standards Working Group @ Green Software Foundation | Driving Sustainable AI Innovation & Specification | Award-winning Author | Let's Build a Responsible Future
Report contribution
Centralized IAM is one of the prominent architectures in cloud computing. It provides a single point of management for user identities and access permissions across various cloud services and resources. This model streamlines the administration process, making it easier to manage user accounts, roles, and permissions from a unified platform. It promotes consistency in access controls, reduces redundancies, and aids in auditing and reporting. However, while centralization simplifies management, it can also become a single point of failure if not properly secured. Proper implementation, including regular reviews and robust security measures, is crucial to harness the benefits of centralized IAM without compromising security.

Like

2 Decentralized IAM

Another IAM architecture for cloud computing is decentralized IAM, which means that you have multiple sources of truth for your identity data and policies across your cloud platforms and services. Decentralized IAM can offer more flexibility, autonomy, and customization, as you can tailor your IAM solutions to your specific needs and preferences. You can use a federated identity model, where you delegate the authentication and authorization decisions to a trusted identity provider, such as SAML or OAuth, that can communicate with your cloud services. Alternatively, you can use a distributed identity model, where you use a decentralized ledger, such as blockchain or DLT, to store and verify your identity data and policies in a secure and transparent way.

Add your perspective

3 Hybrid IAM

A third IAM architecture for cloud computing is hybrid IAM, which means that you have a combination of centralized and decentralized IAM solutions across your cloud platforms and services. Hybrid IAM can offer the best of both worlds, as you can leverage the advantages of both architectures and balance the trade-offs between them. You can use a hybrid IAM approach, where you use a centralized IAM service for your core identity data and policies, and a federated or distributed IAM solution for your specific identity scenarios and use cases. For example, you can use AWS IAM to manage your AWS resources and users, and use OAuth to integrate with external applications and services.

Add your perspective

4 Zero Trust IAM

A fourth IAM architecture for cloud computing is zero trust IAM, which means that you adopt a security posture that assumes no trust between any entities in your cloud environment. Zero trust IAM can enhance your security, compliance, and resilience, as you can minimize the attack surface and the risk of breaches. You can use a zero trust IAM framework, such as BeyondCorp or Zero Trust Network Access, to implement a set of principles and practices that enforce strict verification, granular access control, and continuous monitoring of your identity data and policies. For example, you can use Google Cloud Identity to verify the identity and context of your users and devices, and use Google Cloud IAP to control the access to your cloud applications and services.

Add your perspective

Steve M.

Cloud Architect || Software Engineer || I help small and medium businesses migrate to the cloud. ⭐️
Report contribution
Zero trust is at the root of cloud security: trust nothing, verify everything! It's not about limiting collaboration, but ensuring robust protection at all levels. Coupled with proper authentication, authorization and logging, you will be in a better position to defend against unauthorized access, discourage potential threats and limit the attack surface in the event of a breach.

Like

5 Microservice IAM

A fifth IAM architecture for cloud computing is microservice IAM, which means that you apply the principles and patterns of microservice architecture to your IAM solutions. Microservice IAM can improve your agility, scalability, and performance, as you can modularize your IAM functionality and deploy it independently and dynamically. You can use a microservice IAM platform, such as Kong or Istio, to orchestrate your IAM services, such as authentication, authorization, identity management, and policy enforcement, in a distributed and decentralized way. For example, you can use Kong to expose your IAM services as APIs, and use Istio to manage the communication and security between your IAM services and your cloud applications and services.

Add your perspective

6 Serverless IAM

A sixth IAM architecture for cloud computing is serverless IAM, which means that you leverage the capabilities and benefits of serverless computing for your IAM solutions. Serverless IAM can optimize your cost, efficiency, and scalability, as you can run your IAM functionality on demand and pay only for what you use. You can use a serverless IAM framework, such as AWS Lambda or Azure Functions, to execute your IAM logic and policies in response to events and triggers, such as HTTP requests or cloud events. For example, you can use AWS Lambda to implement custom IAM functions, such as validating tokens, checking permissions, or auditing actions, and use AWS API Gateway to invoke them from your cloud applications and services.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

What are the best IAM architectures for cloud computing?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Centralized IAM

2 Decentralized IAM

3 Hybrid IAM

4 Zero Trust IAM

5 Microservice IAM

6 Serverless IAM

7 Here’s what else to consider

Cloud Computing

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Cloud Computing

More relevant reading

What are the best IAM architectures for cloud computing?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Centralized IAM

2 Decentralized IAM

3 Hybrid IAM

4 Zero Trust IAM

5 Microservice IAM

6 Serverless IAM

7 Here’s what else to consider

Cloud Computing

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills