What is the first step in Identity and Access Management?

The first step in Identity and Access Management (IAM) is to identify the user. This process involves recognizing and verifying the identity of individuals attempting to access systems or resources. Identification is crucial as it lays the groundwork for the subsequent steps in IAM, including authentication (which verifies the claimed identity) and authorization (which determines the access rights or permissions based on the identified and authenticated user).

By establishing the user's identity, organizations can manage and control who has access to sensitive systems and data, thereby enhancing security. Identification typically involves collecting relevant user information, such as usernames or user IDs, which are essential for the authentication and authorization stages that follow.