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This article is part of our Opinions section, where we invite industry professionals to share their views on the most pressing technology questions of our time.
As organisations adapt to the modern work environment, identity-first security is emerging as the new perimeter for safeguarding sensitive business data. This shift has been accelerated by changes in global work dynamics, including increased travel, more frequent interactions across diverse locations, and company consolidations through mergers and acquisitions. Employees are increasingly working remotely from different countries and offices, often under various brand umbrellas, complicating identity-based assets and secure data sharing.
The growing adoption of cloud services improves accessibility and collaboration but also expands the attack surface for potential cyber threats, prompting businesses to rethink their security approaches. A recent survey revealed that in 2024, 69% of organisations are working in hybrid environments, with 16% fully remote – a 7% increase from 2023. This highlights the magnitude of security challenges and the need for adaptable and flexible security strategies.
Before the identity-first security strategies, organisations relied on perimeter-based security measures, such as firewalls and antivirus software, to protect their data. However, as ways of working have diversified, these traditional methods are proving to be not just inadequate, but grossly so. The concept of a defined network perimeter is fading, with employees accessing company resources from various locations and devices. This transition has created an urgent need for more adaptive and effective security strategies.
In response to the limitations of perimeter-based security measures, organisations are starting to adopt identity-first security strategies that prioritise user identities as the core of their security framework. Zero-trust security, adaptive authentication, and dynamic authorisation are all becoming increasingly important as businesses adapt to remote work. Dynamic authorisation, in particular, is significant, allowing administrators to flexibly grant or revoke access based on real-time evaluations, considerably reducing vulnerability to cyberattacks and enhancing overall security.
One key shortcoming of traditional perimeter-based security is its inability to effectively guard against insider threats and unauthorised access outside the corporate network. In contrast, identity-first security protects an organisation’s most valuable assets – its data and resources – by continuously monitoring access points and reducing potential vulnerabilities associated with hyper-connected environments.
A fundamental aspect of identity-first security is leveraging contextual information to assess risk. Organisations can make informed decisions about access controls by evaluating user location, device type, and behavioural patterns. This tailored approach enables businesses to adjust their defences based on real-time assessments rather than static rules. An example of an identity-first security strategy is passwordless authentication, which can significantly mitigate risks associated with phishing attacks and credential theft, making remote work more secure.
To effectively implement identity-first security strategies, organisations should focus on enhancing the protection of user identities while integrating identity security across their operations. Employing zero-trust principles alongside layered security approaches can facilitate this transition. Frameworks like the Security Service Framework (SSF) can streamline communication between software applications, helping efficient data sharing across departments while improving collaborative security measures.
As businesses increasingly adopt cloud solutions, network segmentation becomes crucial. By dividing networks into smaller segments, organisations can better control access levels and ensure that only authorised personnel have access to sensitive information.
When implemented effectively, B2B IAM strengthens security against identity-based threats, reduces the operational burden of managing non-employee identities, and lays the foundation for a zero-trust approach across the extended enterprise. This whitepaper examines the rise of B2B IAM as a vital solution for managing third-party identities, highlighting its unique security, operational, and business benefits within the IAM landscape.
Insider threats and employee negligence continue to pose concerns despite the advancements in identity-first security strategies. According to the 2024 Insider Threat Report, 76% of organisations reported insider attacks, which have been increasing since 2019, often stemming from employee oversight or lack of awareness. Continuous security awareness training is essential but must be complemented by buy-in from stakeholders across various departments.
IT teams must prioritise maintaining network hygiene by ensuring all security tools are integrated and functioning cohesively. This approach requires context-aware risk assessments that enhance an organisation’s ability to respond effectively to emerging threats.
The move towards identity-first security is not just a trend; it is becoming the standard as businesses adapt to new working environments and organisational structures. Now is the time for organisations to implement these frameworks, as the unpredictability of global markets and the increasing complexity of corporate structures underscore the need for adaptability.
By adopting identity-based security technologies, organisations can not only increase security but also use security by design principles to enhance collaboration and productivity across their expanding corporate ecosystems. This approach can speed up the integration of organisations and the unification of identity-based access.
The next stage of identity-first security will involve leveraging automation for high-value benefits while considering the necessary guardrails and controls for systems and people. Identity-first security strategies present an interesting opportunity for businesses to explore further enhancing their security posture while driving operational efficiency and innovation.
Businesses must take proactive measures to ensure they are not left behind; especially as cyber threats grow more complex. Organisations can create more secure and productive work environments by adopting scalable models and using identity-based security technologies.
