The Benefits of Identity & Access Management

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Identity Management ROI
Calculation Case Study


March 2006








T h i n k I D e n t i t y

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Table of Contents INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................................3 IDENTITY & ACCESS MANAGEMENT COMPONENTS.......................................................................................4 THE BENEFITS OF IDENTITY & ACCESS MANAGEMENT.................................................................................4 INCREASED SECURITY, IN-DEPTH VISIBILITY AND COMPLIANCE ................................................................................. 4 CALCULATING RETURN-ON-INVESTMENT........................................................................................................5 CALCULATING ACCOUNT & PASSWORD MANAGEMENT COSTS.................................................................................. 5 SOLVING THE PROBLEM USING A10'S IDSENTRIE 1000........................................................................................... 9 WHAT INDUSTRY EXPERTS ARE SAYING .......................................................................................................12 SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................................12 Disclaimer Although A10 Networks has attempted to provide accurate information in these materials, A10 Networks assumes no legal responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information. More specific information is available on request from A10 Networks. Please note that A10 Networks' product information does not constitute or contain any guarantee, warranty or legally binding representation, unless expressly identified as such in a duly signed writing. A10 Networks and IDSentrie are registered trademarks of A10 Networks, Inc. Obtaining More Information For more information on A10 Networks' Smart IDentity Management solution and its IDSentrie product family, please visit A10's web site at www.a10networks.com. Corporate Headquarters A10 Networks, Inc. 2125 Oakland Road San Jose, CA 95131-1578 USA +1 (408) 325-8668 (main) +1 (408) 325-8666 (fax)
2 ©2006 A10 Networks, Inc I D e n t i t y A w a r e N e t w o r k S o l u t i o n s
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Introduction Identity and Access Management (IAM) is a critical technology for properly managing identity resources. With a well implemented IAM system, businesses achieve stronger management control of their identity resources, robust mechanisms to control network access, and enhanced tools to meet tough compliance reporting, logging, and record retention. Many Fortune 1000 enterprises have implemented IAM solutions to improve IT operational efficiency, boost user productivity, mitigate security risks, and improve authentication and access control. But traditional IAM solutions have always been tough to justify for non-global 1000 companies with smaller IT budgets. Some of the reasons why traditional IAM solutions have been so difficult to justify and implement include: . Most IAM solutions are software-based and require multiple components to be functional. . Software solutions require additional servers and operating systems, raising costs and overhead. . Expensive, per-user annual licensing fees that must be budgeted year after year. . Long deployment cycles that require many hours of professional consulting services, raising deployment costs significantly. . Can be intrusive to existing applications, requiring customization and making it difficult to integrate. . Often requires the migration of user accounts from departmentally or geographically separate data stores into one centrally managed Meta Directory, causing difficulties with existing organizational and management structures. . Many traditional IAM solutions are point-play solutions that do not offer a full IAM suite. For example, some offer account provisioning, but not authentication, ot... [download for more]