What is Cloud Identity and Access Management (IAM)?

Cloud Identity and Access Management, or IAM, controls access to cloud resources. It defines users, roles, permissions, policies, service accounts, and authentication methods.

Why IAM matters

Cloud environments can contain many services and powerful administrative actions. IAM helps limit access so people and systems get only the permissions they need.

IAM and zero trust

IAM supports security models such as Zero Trust Security by verifying identity and limiting trust. Strong IAM also works with single sign-on and multi-factor authentication.

Cloud IAM is one of the most important controls in cloud security.