A well-executed Identity Access Management (IAM) program integrates several facets and demands a comprehensive strategy to fulfill an organization's specific requirements. It transcends the boundaries of a single project, affecting numerous processes and business functions and engaging multiple stakeholders. For industry-leading outcomes, it is advantageous to establish an Identity Governance Board that provides strategic direction and oversight to the IAM program.

The objectives of forming an Identity Governance Board are three-pronged. Primarily, it establishes the pathway for compliance and security needs within the organization, ensuring that the IAM program aligns with both regulatory demands and industry standards. The aim is to safeguard sensitive information and effectively reduce security risks. Secondly, it builds robust relationships among the business units and stakeholders engaged in the IAM program. Through encouraging collaboration and communication, the board facilitates a harmonized approach to identity governance throughout the organization. Lastly, it strives to enhance the overall security position of the enterprise by implementing efficient identity management practices. What does the Governance Board focus on within the organization? Here is an explanation of Identity Governance

Procedure for Forming a Governance Board

Setting up an Identity Governance Board necessitates several critical steps and considerations. A key aspect is to designate Executive Sponsors who will endorse the IAM program at the executive level. These sponsors offer necessary backing, support the business rationale, accelerate approvals, ensure cross-functional participation, monitor progress, overcome hurdles, and serve as the program's advocates. Their involvement guarantees that the program attains the necessary visibility, resources, and organizational acceptance for success.

Another crucial step is identifying stakeholders and recruiting members for the Steering Committee. This committee should comprise representatives from various departments and functions within the organization, ensuring a holistic perspective on IAM. This might involve individuals from Identity & Access Management (IAM) teams, Information Security, Business Units, Human Resources, Finance, Infrastructure, Program Management Office (PMO), Audit & Compliance, Legal, and other pertinent areas. By including stakeholders from these diverse sectors, the IAM program effectively addresses the needs and requirements of different business units and aligns with organizational objectives.

The duties of the Identity Governance Board encompass numerous vital responsibilities. Initially, it defines the business rationale for the IAM program, articulating its value and benefits to the organization, which aids in securing support and resources for the program's deployment. Next, the board prioritizes objectives and initiatives, ensuring that efforts are concentrated on areas that yield the most significant impact and address crucial security and compliance needs. Finally, the board underscores accurate reporting to guarantee that IAM-related decisions are founded on the best possible information, thus enabling informed decision-making.

The Identity Governance Board plays an instrumental role in pinpointing risks associated with identity management and developing a plan to mitigate them effectively. This involves assessing potential vulnerabilities, ensuring adherence to privacy policies and procedures, and resolving any issues or challenges that surface during the IAM program's implementation. The board assumes ownership of the Identity Data Model, which includes defining the structure and attributes of identity data, along with ensuring data quality and security.

Additionally, the board directs efforts related to business process definition, transitioning from the current state (as-is) to the desired future state (to-be). This ensures that IAM practices align with business workflows, facilitating efficient access provisioning, deprovisioning, and role management processes. Role modeling projects and standardization efforts are also within the board's domain, contributing to the establishment of consistent and effective role-based access control mechanisms.

Establishing an Identity Governance Board is pivotal for successful IAM program management. The board plays a key role in setting the mission, fostering relationships, and enhancing the enterprise's security posture. By designating executive sponsors, pinpointing stakeholders, and performing its duties diligently, the board guarantees that the IAM program aligns with organizational goals, satisfies compliance and security requirements, and improves overall identity management practices within the organization.

In Summary:

A well-managed Identity Access Management (IAM) Program must cater to various needs. It is more extensive than a single project - impacting multiple processes, business functions, and involving numerous stakeholders. To attain industry-leading results, establishing an Identity Governance Board is crucial.

The Purpose of the Board:

The Identity Governance Board's objective is to form a partnership to provide strategic direction and oversight for the Identity Governance program in three main domains:

1. Establishing the mission for compliance and security needs.
2. Bolstering relationships among the business and stakeholders.
3. Enhancing the security posture of the enterprise.

Steps to Form an Identity Governance Board:

1. Designate Executive Sponsors who will:
• Provide executive support.
• Advocate the business case.
• Expedite the approval process.
• Secure cross-functional involvement.
• Monitor progress.
• Overcome barriers.
• Champion the program.
2. Identify Stakeholders and recruit Steering Committee members from various areas including:
• Identity & Access Management (IAM)
• Information Security
• Business Units
• Human Resources
• Finance
• Infrastructure
• Program Management Office (PMO)
• Audit & Compliance
• Legal, and others as needed.

Duties of the Identity Governance Board:

1. Define the Business Case for IAM goals.
2. Prioritize objectives.
3. Establish accurate Reporting to ensure that decisions are based on the best possible information.
4. Identify risks and develop a mitigation plan.
5. Provide guidance concerning regulatory and privacy policies & procedures, and issue resolution.
6. The IGB "owns/defines" the Identity Data Model
7. Responsible for identity data cleanup efforts and securing data.
8. Direct Business Process Definition efforts to move from the current state toward the desired future state.
9. Initiate Role Modeling projects and drive efforts for role standardization.