8 things to consider when choosing an IAM solution

 User groups and access needs

B2C users

B2C users — such as private customers, patients, or association members — typically register themselves and are not linked to the IAM system through a shared organization ID. This requires a solution that supports self-service registration, consent management, and easy login — typically provided through a CIAM (Customer IAM) platform.

B2B users

For B2B users like suppliers and partners, flexible access control and strong user lifecycle management are essential. This may involve federated login, multiple identity sources, and the ability to grant and revoke access based on role or affiliation.

Employees

For employees, integration with HR systems and internal business systems is key. The solution should support automated onboarding, self-service access requests, and authorization. Role-based access control is also important to ensure proper governance throughout the employment lifecycle.

Many organizations choose to manage all users in a single platform. This improves cost control, simplifies operations — and is often necessary when different user groups need access to the same applications.

Choose the right platform

Public cloud (SaaS)

Offers benefits like high availability, automatic updates, and lower operational costs. The vendor manages the infrastructure, software updates, and ongoing maintenance.

Private cloud

Provides greater control and flexibility but typically requires more in-house technical expertise. Suitable for organizations with specific requirements for data handling, security, or integrations.

On-premises

Installed and operated locally. Suitable for organizations with strict requirements for internal control and data security. Offers maximum control but comes with higher operational costs and less flexibility.

Many organizations now combine multiple deployment models. Choose the approach that best supports your security, compliance, integration, and operational requirements, both today and as your organization evolves.

Do you need Access Management, Identity Governance, or both?

Identity and Access Management (IAM)

IAM encompasses both how users log in (authentication) and how access is assigned and governed (authorization). However, not all solutions cover both areas.

Access Management (AM)

If your goal is to simplify and secure login to cloud services, then Access Management (AM) is your primary focus – including features like Single Sign-On (SSO) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).

Identity Governance and Administration (IGA)

If you also need control over who gets access to what, and the ability to document and review these rights you should look into Identity Governance and Administration (IGA). This includes features like automated access management, periodic access reviews, and the ability to generate audit reports.

Several vendors combine AM and IGA, but it’s still common to choose just one – or integrate two systems. That’s why it’s crucial to clearly understand your needs, so you can select the right IAM platform from the start.
 

Which login methods should the solution support?

Your IAM solution should integrate with the identity providers your users expect. Depending on your market, this may include national eIDs, social login providers, or enterprise identity platforms. These integrations improve security, simplify the login experience, and reduce the need for user support.

Some identity services can also be used to verify new users during registration, which is especially valuable in B2C solutions and public services. Increasingly, organizations aim to support both personal and professional identities, especially in B2B environments where users expect to log in with either their work email or a personal account. If your organization supports multiple user groups, these requirements should be reflected in your IAM strategy and platform selection.

IAM automation and identity lifecycle management

Different platforms offer different levels of automation, so it's important to define your requirements before selecting a solution. Most platforms can create and disable accounts. The difference is how well they handle rules, timing, and exceptions.

For example, access may need to become active on an employee's first day rather than when their details are entered into the HR system. You may also want to remove licenses after a period of inactivity.

If you need this kind of logic, include it in your requirements. Not all IAM platforms support it equally well. The more automation you require, the more important it is to choose a platform with strong workflow capabilities.

Integrations and connectors

IAM solutions retrieve and share data with other systems in the organization, making integrations critical for both functionality and efficiency. A common integration is with the HR system, which often serves as the source of truth for who the user is, where they work, and what access they need. This forms the basis for automated onboarding and access provisioning.

Common integrations include:

• HR systems
• Active Directory or Microsoft Entra ID
• Business applications and SaaS platforms
• ITSM platforms such as ServiceNow or Jira
• SIEM and GRC platforms

The scope and maturity of integrations vary between vendors. Some offer APIs and pre-built connectors, while others require more customization. Carefully consider which systems your IAM solution must interact with to meet your needs today and in the future.

Choose the right access model

Access management is not only about who has access to what, but also about the rules and policies that govern it. A structured approach provides better control and enables automation of permissions across roles and systems.

Many organizations start with manual provisioning, but this quickly becomes unscalable. By grouping users into roles based on job title, department, or function, you can simplify processes and reduce the risk of errors.

Common models include:

• RBAC (Role-Based Access Control): Access based on predefined roles
• ABAC (Attribute-Based Access Control): Access based on user attributes
• Policy-based access control: Access defined by rules and conditions

Your access model should support both current business requirements and future growth. Choosing the right model early makes automation, governance, and compliance easier to achieve.

How will you ensure compliance and follow-up?

When access is provisioned manually and changes over time, discrepancies often arise between intended access and actual access. This can result in excessive permissions, increased risk of data breaches, and violations of internal policies or regulatory requirements.

That’s why it’s essential to have a solution that provides visibility into who has access to what, why they have it – and who approved it. This is often referred to as Access Governance, and typically includes features such as:

• Periodic access reviews
• Audit trails and logging
• Policy-based access control
• Alerts and handling of anomalies

For organizations subject to ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS2, or similar regulations, these capabilities are not just “nice to have” – they are required.

Next steps

Choosing an IAM solution is about more than technology. The right platform strengthens security, improves operational efficiency, and provides a solid foundation for identity management as your organization grows.