Identity Management Explained

Control who can access what — managing digital identities from provisioning through authentication, authorization, and deprovisioning.

Identity Management

Identity management (IdM) is the framework of policies, processes, and technologies that manages digital identities, controlling who can access which resources and under what conditions.

Explanation

Identity management encompasses the full lifecycle of digital identities: creation (provisioning user accounts), authentication (verifying identity through passwords, MFA, biometrics), authorization (determining what resources the identity can access), governance (reviewing and auditing access permissions), and deprovisioning (removing access when no longer needed). Modern IdM uses identity providers (IdPs) like Auth0, Okta, and Azure AD that centralize identity across applications. Standards like SAML, OAuth 2.0, and OpenID Connect enable federated identity across organizational boundaries.

Bookuvai Implementation

Bookuvai integrates identity management using Auth0 or custom solutions depending on requirements. We implement user provisioning, multi-factor authentication, role-based access control, and audit logging. For enterprise clients, we integrate with existing IdPs via SAML or OpenID Connect.

Key Facts

  • Manages the full lifecycle of digital identities from creation to deprovisioning
  • Encompasses authentication (who are you) and authorization (what can you do)
  • Identity providers (Auth0, Okta, Azure AD) centralize identity management
  • Standards: SAML, OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect for federated identity
  • Governance includes access reviews, audit logging, and compliance reporting

Related Terms

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I build my own identity system or use a provider?
Use an identity provider (Auth0, Clerk, Okta) unless you have specific requirements that they cannot meet. Identity is security-critical, and providers have dedicated teams handling vulnerabilities, compliance, and edge cases that are expensive to replicate.
What is the difference between authentication and authorization?
Authentication verifies identity — proving you are who you claim to be (password, biometrics, MFA). Authorization determines permissions — what you are allowed to do after identity is verified (access specific resources, perform actions).
What is federated identity?
Federated identity allows users to authenticate with one identity provider and access resources across multiple applications or organizations. SAML and OpenID Connect enable this. "Sign in with Google" is a common example of federated identity.