How to Nail an IAM Assessment

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When it comes to Identity and Access Management ( IAM), the word “assessment” often strikes fear — and dollar signs — into the hearts of business leaders. The typical approach involves hiring an expensive consulting form to parchute in, ask a few questions, churn out a 50-page report, and leave you with little more than a list of problems you already knew you had.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

With the right questions and a little self-reflection your organization can take control of its IAM assessment. No overpriced consultants. No bloated deliverables. Just actionable insights tailored to your specific needs. Here’s how to do it. 

Why Most IAM Assessments Fail to Deliver Value

Let’s face it , consultants often lean on cookie-cutter frameworks. They apply generic models to your organization without truly understanding your unique environment. While these frameworks look impressive, they really offer actionable guidance you couldn’t figure out yourself.

Ouch..harsh, right? A little, but I was born in this world, and trust me, I’m very familiar with it. Frameworks aren’t inadequate; they help with efficiency, but when used correctly. We’ll come back to this point later on.

Where was I?… Oh yeah your “assessment”. So what’s the end result after you’ve paid hundreds of thousands of dollars, and sat through hours of meetings?

• Overly complex reports.

• Minimal actionable recommendations.

• A hefty price tag.

The truth is, your internal team already has the context and knowledge needed to assess your IAM environment. You just need to know where to start.

The Key to a Successful Self-Assessment

The secret to a successful IAM assessment isn’t rocket science—it’s asking the right questions. By focusing on your specific needs and risks, you can pinpoint gaps, prioritize improvements, and build a roadmap that delivers real value.

Here’s what you should focus on:

The 6 Questions to Guide Your IAM Self-Assessment

1. What are our critical assets, and who needs access to them?

Start with your crown jewels. Identify the systems, applications, and data that are mission-critical. Then, map out who genuinely needs access and why. This will help you prioritize and protect what matters most.

2. What roles and access policies do we currently have, and are they effective?

Dive into your roles and policies. Are they clear, consistent, and manageable? Or are you dealing with role sprawl and access creep? Simplify where possible to reduce risk and overhead.

3. How are we monitoring access and usage?

Visibility is everything in IAM. Assess how you’re tracking access events and usage patterns. Are you detecting anomalies or just reacting to incidents? A robust monitoring process is key to proactive security.

4. What’s our strategy for managing non-human identities?

With the rise of service accounts, bots, and APIs, managing non-human identities is no longer optional. Evaluate how you’re tracking these identities, their roles, and the access they require.

5. What are our biggest risks and gaps in IAM today?

Be honest about your vulnerabilities. Whether it’s outdated technology, manual processes, or insufficient governance, identifying your weaknesses is the first step to strengthening your program.

6. How are we proving the ROI of our IAM program?

IAM isn’t just a cost center—it’s a business enabler. Connect your program to measurable outcomes like reduced breaches, improved compliance, and faster user onboarding to demonstrate its value.

Building an Actionable IAM Roadmap

Once you’ve answered these questions, it’s time to take action. Here’s how:

• Prioritize Quick Wins: Identify low-hanging fruit that can deliver immediate impact.

• Address Governance Gaps: Strengthen your policies and processes to ensure long-term success.

• Define Clear KPIs: Set measurable goals so you can track progress and prove value to stakeholders.

When to Call in Reinforcements

Remember earlier when I said we’d get back to this? Will, here we are. While most IAM assessments can be handled internally, there are times when external help makes sense. For example:

• When specialized expertise is needed for niche challenges.

• For large-scale implementations or audits.

• If your team lacks the resources to execute effectively.

That said, consultants should supplement your internal knowledge—not replace it. You’re the experts on your organization. The consultants are the experts in implementing identity. Together, you provide the value to your organization and you get the results you really want.

IAM doesn’t have to be overcomplicated, and assessments don’t have to break the bank. With a focus on the right questions, your team can take control of its IAM strategy, identify gaps, and drive meaningful improvements—all without a pricey consultant.

Ready to simplify your IAM strategy? Start with these six questions, and share your results. Let’s make IAM great again.

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I couldn’t resist.