In today’s data-driven world, CEOs are constantly bombarded by a variety of metrics. From revenue figures to customer satisfaction scores and website traffic, all these metrics provide a snapshot of our company’s health. However, there’s one metric that often gets overlooked despite its immense impact on our bottom line: Identity and Access Management (IAM).

For too long, IAM has remained a misunderstood necessity, often relegated to the IT department and measured by vanity metrics such as “security score,” which fail to resonate with business leaders focused on growth. But what if a well-managed IAM program could be more? What if it could be a powerful driver of growth for your company?

From Padlock to Powerhouse: The New Frontier of IAM

Imagine an IAM program that goes beyond basic security. A program that streamlines operations, empowers your workforce, and fuels growth. This is the new frontier of IAM—one where it functions as a strategic asset, not just a technical cost center. According to Growth Market Reports, the global IAM market size was $5.5 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $28.4 billion by 2031, indicating a 20% growth from 2023 to 2031.

Data-Driven Insights: The Key to Unlocking Value

Measuring the effectiveness of your IAM strategy and demonstrating its value in the business is the first step toward achieving maturity. Aligning business goals such as improving security, enhancing the user experience, ensuring regulatory compliance, or reducing operational costs with the IAM plan and setting key performance indicators (KPIs) helps prove the program’s effectiveness. Each goal requires specific KPIs. For example, if improving security is an objective, measure the reduction in unauthorized access incidents.

Actionable Insights: The Currency of Success

The key to unlocking IAM value lies in data. Modern IAM tools generate a wealth of information, but without proper analysis, it remains just raw data. By focusing on the right KPIs, we can translate this data into a compelling story that resonates with business leaders.

These KPIs are more than just numbers—they represent stories of efficiency gained, productivity unlocked, and risks mitigated. It is crucial to leverage the rich data streams within your IAM tools to paint a compelling picture. Additionally, translating “technical jargon” into business acumen can help explain how IAM aligns with strategic goals.

Most Meaningful KPIs

1. Faster Onboarding/Offboarding: Reducing delays in getting new hires productive translates directly to increased revenue generation.
2. Fewer Password Resets: Streamlining password management minimizes frustration and boosts employee productivity—every minute saved translates to tangible returns.
3. Precise Access Controls: Granting the right access at the right time, every time, eliminates overprovisioning and underprovisioning, ensuring a smoother workflow and reducing costly errors.
4. Seamless Authentication: A user-friendly login process keeps employees focused on their work, not battling login screens.
5. Compliance Confidence: Meeting strict regulations and industry standards can protect your reputation and help you avoid costly fines.
6. Happy And Productive Users: A user-friendly IAM experience fosters a positive work environment, leading to increased engagement.
7. Mitigated Security Incidents: Every data breach averted is an opportunity to avoid costly downtime and reputational damage.

The Future of IAM: Growth Engine, Not Just a Security Shield

Let’s move beyond vanity metrics and embrace the true potential of IAM. It’s time to rewrite the narrative. IAM isn’t just a security shield but can also be a powerful growth engine. By leveraging data-driven insights and aligning with strategic business goals, we can unlock the true potential of IAM, empowering our workforce, streamlining operations, and driving sustainable growth. It’s about transforming IAM from a back-office function into a strategic asset that fuels our success. The time to act is now.