What’s the cost of a single stolen password? For many businesses, it’s far more than they can afford. According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average cost of a data breach is now $4.88 million – a 10% increase over last year and the highest total ever. Even more alarming, 74% of breaches involve stolen or compromised credentials, as highlighted in Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR).
For businesses, the stakes are high. A single weak password or unsecured connection can lead to devastating consequences – financial losses, reputational damage, and operational downtime.
So, how do you protect your business in an environment where cyber threats are constantly evolving? With Identity and Access Management (IAM) – a set of practices and tools designed to ensure that only the right people have access to the right resources – businesses can mitigate security risks and prevent costly data breaches.
Let’s explore the top IAM best practices businesses should implement to strengthen their security posture.
7 Best Identity Access Management Practices (IAM) for Strengthening Security and Access Control
Identity and Access Management (IAM) is the backbone of cybersecurity, ensuring that only the right people access the right resources. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, businesses must adopt best practices to fortify their security.
Here’s how businesses can stay ahead in 2025:
- Enforce the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP)
Giving employees more access than necessary can be a recipe for disaster. The Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP) dictates that users should only be granted the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job duties.
Employees should have only the access necessary for their roles – nothing more. For example, if an employee only needs access to a specific folder, don’t give them access to the entire file system. Over-permissioning increases the risk of insider threats and data breaches. Enforcing PoLP ensures that critical data remains protected. It also limits the potential damage that can be caused by a compromised account or a malicious insider.
According to a 2023 report by Cybersecurity Insiders, 74% of organizations that suffered a data breach said excessive user permissions were a contributing factor.
Implementing a reliable business VPN like PureVPN for Teams can further strengthen access control through a centralized dashboard, allowing administrators to assign Dedicated IPs and provision Team Server to manage access. Even when employees work remotely, it ensures that only authorized personnel have access to the company’s shared network, resources, and critical systems.
Moreover, businesses should regularly review and update user permissions to ensure they align with their current roles and responsibilities.
- Enforce Strong Password Policies and Secure Credential Storage
While seemingly basic, strong passwords remain the first line of defense against unauthorized access. Weak passwords remain one of the biggest security vulnerabilities. A 2023 study found that 81% of data breaches are caused by weak or reused passwords.
Enforcing strong password policies, implementing passphrase techniques, and using password managers reduce the risk of breaches.
Additionally, combining these practices with a business VPN ensures that even if credentials are compromised, attackers cannot access internal systems and data as the connection is encrypted.
- Implement Strong Authentication Measures
Passwords alone aren’t enough. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and Single Sign-On (SSO) provide an extra layer of security, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity through multiple methods, such as a password and a one-time code sent to their phone.
MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if credentials are compromised. According to Microsoft, MFA can block 99.2% of account compromise attacks.
Managing multiple passwords can be a headache for employees and a security risk for businesses. Single sign-on (SSO) simplifies access by allowing users to log in once and gain access to all authorized applications. SSO not only enhances security but also improves productivity by reducing the time spent logging in and out of systems. Businesses implementing SSO saw a 50% reduction in password-related help desk calls.
Businesses should integrate a Business VPN like PureVPN for Teams to ensure that access to critical systems is encrypted and secure, preventing credential theft and unauthorized logins.
- Monitor and Audit Access Regularly
Tracking who accesses what and when is crucial for detecting suspicious activity. Continuous monitoring and real-time alerts help businesses identify potential breaches before they escalate. Businesses should keep an eye for:
- Unusual login times or locations
- Repeated failed login attempts
- Access to sensitive data by unauthorized users
Automated tools can help you track and analyze access patterns, making it easier to spot anomalies. Besides this, to gain enhanced visibility and secure network activities, a business VPN like PureVPN is great. It ensures secure remote access and allows administrators to easily manage VPN access.
- Opt for Centralized Identity Management
Centralized identity management systems provide a single platform for managing user identities and access privileges. This simplifies administration, improves security, and reduces the risk of orphaned accounts or inconsistent access policies. Centralized IAM solutions also enable you to easily track user activity and generate audit reports.
While centralized IAM solutions streamline user management, securing the connections through which users access these systems is equally important. A Business VPN adds a layer of security by encrypting internet traffic and masking IP addresses, protecting user credentials, and preventing unauthorized access to your IAM platform.
- Automate IAM Policies with AI and Adaptive Access Controls
AI-driven IAM solutions help businesses detect anomalies, enforce security policies dynamically, and reduce manual workload. Integrating an adaptive security model alongside a Business VPN ensures that high-risk logins trigger additional verification layers, keeping sensitive systems secure even under evolving cyber threats.
- Conduct Regular IAM Training and Awareness Programs
Employees are the first line of defense in IAM security. Regular training ensures they understand security policies, recognize phishing attempts, and follow best practices. Combining this with a Business VPN enhances protection, as employees access corporate networks through a secure and encrypted channel, reducing exposure to cyber threats.
Strengthening Your IAM Infrastructure
Businesses must choose platforms and tools that complement their IAM strategy, and secure the network connections used to access their systems. Here’s how businesses can enhance their security posture:
- Secure Access to IAM Systems: Businesses that make it a priority to integrate a business VPN in their existing systems, and secure their internet traffic through advanced encryption. It protects employee credentials and prevents unauthorized access to the IAM platform. This is crucial for preventing attackers from compromising your central authentication system.
- Protecting Against Credential Stuffing: Credential stuffing attacks involve using stolen credentials to gain access to various accounts. By implementing a business VPN, they can mask IP addresses and encrypt traffic, making it more difficult for attackers to target specific users and launch credential-stuffing attacks.
By implementing these IAM best practices, businesses can significantly strengthen their security posture in 2024. As cyber threats evolve, staying proactive with the right tools and policies is the key to ensuring seamless, secure access control for employees and stakeholders alike.
On a Final Note
A single compromised credential can open the door to devastating cyberattacks. Strengthening IAM practices – by enforcing least privilege access, adopting MFA and SSO, centralizing identity management, and leveraging AI-driven security – helps mitigate risks and protect critical systems.
Layering IAM with additional safeguards like PureVPN for Teams ensures secure remote access and prevents unauthorized logins. Cyber threats will continue to evolve, but with a proactive, adaptive security approach, businesses can stay ahead and protect their most valuable assets.
