Identity Security focuses on protecting digital identities and securing identity-related processes and data. It includes technologies such as identity-based encryption, biometric authentication, and identity-based threat detection.
We can clearly recommend this technology. It has been used for longer period of time at many customers and it has proven to be stable and useful.
Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) refers to the proactive monitoring, detection, and response to identity-related security threats and incidents within an organization's digital ecosystem. It involves leveraging advanced analytics, threat intelligence, and incident response processes to identify and mitigate risks associated with compromised or abused identities.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) is a comprehensive solution that aggregates and analyzes log data generated throughout an organization's technology infrastructure. By correlating events and identifying patterns, SIEM systems provide real-time monitoring, threat detection, and incident response capabilities. When integrated with IAM strategies, SIEM becomes a linchpin for ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical assets.
Zero Trust, also known as Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), Zero Trust Strategy or Zero Trust Security Model, is a new security paradigm that challenges the conventional wisdom of IAM. Zero Trust follows an Identity First approach and is based on the principle of "never trust, always verify", which means that every access request must be verified explicitly, regardless of where it originates from or what it is trying to access. Zero Trust also applies the principle of least privilege, which means that users and devices are only granted the minimum level of access they need to perform their tasks.
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a specific implementation of the Zero Trust principles, primarily focused on securing network access. While Zero Trust is a holistic security approach, ZTNA is more narrowly focused on ensuring that users and devices have the right level of access to applications and resources, regardless of their location. ZTNA is network-centric, focusing specifically on securing access to applications and resources. Technologies such as VPN alternatives, software-defined perimeters, and secure access service edge (SASE) solutions are commonly associated with ZTNA.
We have used it with success and recommend to have a closer look at the technology in this ring. The goal of items here is to look at them more closely, with the goal to bring them to the adopt level.
Identity Security Posture Management (ISPM) is a security discipline focused on continuously assessing, monitoring, and improving an organization's identity security posture across all identity systems and platforms. ISPM provides unified visibility into identity-related security risks, misconfigurations, excessive permissions, and policy violations across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
The OWASP Cheat Sheet Series is a comprehensive collection of high-value security guidance documents created and maintained by the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) community. These concise, actionable references provide developers, architects, and security professionals with practical guidance for implementing security controls and best practices across application development and deployment lifecycles.
Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) is a cybersecurity solution designed to streamline and optimize security operations by integrating the management of security technologies, processes, and human tasks. SOAR platforms are essential for improving the efficiency and efficacy of incident response, allowing organizations to respond rapidly to cyber threats. It also plays a pivotal role in integrating Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools.
Verifiable Credentials (VCs) are integral to the paradigm shift toward Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI), a decentralized identity model placing individuals in control of their digital identities. In the realm of SSI, VCs serve as the cornerstone, providing a secure and tamper-evident means of representing and sharing identity information. Standards like OpenID for Verifiable Credentials (OID4VC) provide practical frameworks for implementing VC issuance and presentation using familiar OAuth 2.1 and OpenID Connect protocols, facilitating enterprise adoption and interoperability. In this user-centric approach, individuals manage their credentials in a digital wallet, with each credential tied to a decentralized identifier (DID). This linkage establishes a robust connection between VCs and the fundamental principles of SSI, allowing users to selectively share Verifiable Credentials, maintain ownership over their identity data, and enhance privacy—all while leveraging cryptographic proofs to ensure the integrity and authenticity of their digital credentials.
We have tried it out and we find it promising. We recommend having a look at these items when you face a specific need for the technology in your project.
Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) are globally unique identifiers for verifiable, self-sovereign digital identities. Unlike traditional identities managed by governments, banks, or platforms, DIDs are designed to give individuals control over their digital identity through independent verification of digital signatures or encrypted communications without a central authority. However, the actual level of decentralization and control depends heavily on the chosen DID method—some (like did:key) are truly self-sovereign, while others (like did:web) rely on existing centralized infrastructure like DNS.
The W3C Digital Credentials API is a browser API for requesting credentials from a digital identity wallet, extending the same navigator.credentials interface that FIDO2 (WebAuthn) uses for authentication. It exists because presenting a Verifiable Credential on the web previously meant handing the user off through a custom URL scheme or a QR code that the browser could neither inspect nor protect: any site could try to invoke a wallet, and the wallet had no reliable way of telling who was asking. The API replaces that handoff with a mediated exchange — the site declares which credentials it needs and in which protocol, the browser shows a chooser the site cannot see into, and the wallet receives the request annotated with the origin the browser itself asserts. What matters most here is less the API call than how the wallet establishes who is asking, because that is what decides whether any attribute is released at all.
Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), also known as quantum-safe or quantum-resistant cryptography — and in the IAM context sometimes referred to as Quantum-Safe Authentication — represents the next generation of cryptographic algorithms designed to withstand attacks from quantum computers. Traditional public-key cryptography underlying today's digital security—including RSA, ECDSA, and Diffie-Hellman key exchange—relies on mathematical problems like integer factorization and discrete logarithms. While these are computationally infeasible for classical computers, quantum algorithms such as Shor's algorithm can solve them efficiently, rendering current cryptographic protections obsolete once sufficiently powerful quantum computers become available.
Self-sovereign identity (SSI) is a concept that puts individuals in control of their own digital identities without relying on a central authority. In traditional identity systems, such as government-issued IDs or online accounts, your identity is often stored and verified by third parties. SSI, on the other hand, empowers individuals to own, control, and share their identity information as needed. Real-world implementations such as mobile Driver Licenses (mDL) and the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) under the eIDAS 2.0 regulation demonstrate the practical viability of SSI principles in government and regulatory contexts.