Ultimate Glossary of Digital Identity and IAM Terms

Core Identity Concepts

Identity and Access Management (IAM)

The framework of policies, technologies, and solutions designed to ensure the right individuals access the right resources at the right times for the right reasons. Traditional IAM focuses on workforce identity management with emphasis on security and governance over user experience.

Digital Identity

The collection of attributes, credentials, and characteristics that represent an entity (person, organization, application, or device) in digital environments. Digital identity serves as the foundation for identity verification, authentication, and authorization processes across systems.

Identity Lifecycle Management

The comprehensive process of managing identities from creation to retirement, including provisioning, modifications, and deprovisioning. Involves coordinating identity status across multiple systems and ensuring appropriate access throughout the identity's existence.

Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM)

A specialized branch of identity and access management focused on customer-facing applications rather than employee systems. CIAM solutions prioritize user experience, scalability, and consumer privacy while managing millions of identities and handling peak registration and login events.

Identity Fabric

Modern architectural approach that creates a distributed network of identity services accessible through standardized APIs. An identity fabric enables consistent identity services across hybrid and multi-cloud environments while supporting both traditional and modern application architectures.

Non-Human Identity Management

Non-Human Identity (NHI)

Digital entities used to identify, authenticate, and authorize machines, services, devices, and IT infrastructure not associated with a human. Non-human identities include service accounts, API keys, certificates, and other machine-to-machine authentication mechanisms.

Machine Identity Management

Processes and technologies for managing digital identities associated with non-human entities including applications, services, containers, IoT devices, and algorithms. As organizations' non-human identities often outnumber human identities by 10 to 45 times, dedicated management is critical for security.

Workload Identity

A specific type of machine identity or non-human identity that represents software-based entities such as containers, microservices, functions, and other computational processes that need to access resources across environments.

Workload Identity and Access Management (WIAM)

The application of IAM principles specifically to non-human identities, providing dynamic, identity-based access management for workloads without specifically managing service accounts, focusing on just-in-time access rather than standing privileges.

Multi-Cloud Permissions (MCP)

Framework for managing identities and access controls consistently across multiple cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP, etc.). MCP solutions provide centralized visibility and control over permissions across diverse cloud environments, reducing security gaps and compliance risks.

Secret Management

The practice of securely storing, managing, and rotating sensitive information such as API keys, credentials, and tokens used by non-human identities. Secret management solutions typically provide automated rotation, access control, and audit capabilities.

Secret Sprawl

The uncontrolled proliferation or accumulation of secrets, credentials, or sensitive information across an organization's infrastructure, leading to increased security risks and potential exposure of authentication mechanisms.

Authentication Methods & Protocols

Passwordless Authentication

Security approach that eliminates traditional passwords in favor of alternative authentication factors such as biometrics, possession factors (mobile devices, security keys), or one-time codes. This approach addresses many security vulnerabilities associated with passwords.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Security system requiring users to verify their identity through two or more different types of factors: something they know (password, PIN), something they have (mobile device, security key), or something they are (biometric). MFA significantly reduces account compromise risks compared to single-factor authentication.

Single Sign-On (SSO)

Authentication mechanism that enables users to access multiple applications with one set of credentials. SSO implementations typically use standards like SAML, OAuth, or OpenID Connect to share authentication state across applications, reducing password fatigue and streamlining user experience.

Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML)

XML-based open standard for exchanging authentication and authorization data between parties, particularly between identity providers and service providers. SAML enables SSO across domain boundaries and is widely used in enterprise environments.

OAuth 2.0

Authorization framework that allows third-party applications to access resources on behalf of users without exposing credentials. OAuth 2.0 focuses on client developer simplicity while providing specific authorization flows for web applications, desktop applications, mobile phones, and smart devices.

OpenID Connect (OIDC)

Identity layer built on top of OAuth 2.0 that allows clients to verify the identity of end-users based on the authentication performed by an authorization server and to obtain basic profile information. OIDC standardizes areas that OAuth 2.0 leaves up to choice.

Biometric Authentication

Authentication mechanism that uses unique physical or behavioral characteristics to verify identity. Common biometric methods include fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, voice recognition, and behavioral biometrics like typing patterns or gesture analysis.

WebAuthn (Web Authentication)

Core component of the FIDO2 specification that allows servers to register and authenticate users using public key cryptography instead of passwords. WebAuthn enables strong, phishing-resistant authentication using platform authenticators (built into devices) or roaming authenticators (like USB security keys).

FIDO2 Authentication

Modern authentication standard developed by the FIDO Alliance that combines WebAuthn and CTAP (Client to Authenticator Protocol) to enable passwordless authentication across devices and platforms. FIDO2 provides strong, phishing-resistant authentication that is both more secure and more user-friendly than passwords.

Passkeys

Based on FIDO2 technology, passkeys enable users to authenticate quickly and securely to online services without using passwords. Passkeys are discoverable FIDO-generated key pairs that can be accessed via biometrics or device PIN and may be synced across user devices for improved usability.

Mutual TLS (mTLS)

Two-way authentication protocol where both client and server verify each other's identity through digital certificates before establishing a connection. mTLS provides stronger security than one-way TLS by ensuring both endpoints are authenticated, making it particularly valuable for zero-trust architectures and microservices communication.

Ephemeral Authentication

Short-lived authentication that automatically expires after a brief period, requiring re-authentication for continued access. Ephemeral authentication reduces the risk window associated with compromised credentials, particularly valuable for high-security operations.

Contextual Authentication

Authentication approach that incorporates situational factors (device, location, time, network, behavioral patterns) along with explicit credentials. Contextual authentication enhances security by evaluating the entire authentication context rather than just verifying credentials.

Identity Security Frameworks

Zero-Trust Architecture

Security concept based on the principle "never trust, always verify" that eliminates implicit trust regardless of whether users are inside or outside the network perimeter. Zero-Trust requires continuous verification of identity, device health, and other signals before granting access to resources.

Risk-Based Authentication (RBA)

Adaptive security approach that applies different authentication methods based on the assessed risk level of each access attempt. RBA evaluates risk signals such as location, device, network, time of access, and behavior patterns to determine appropriate authentication requirements.

Continuous Authentication

Security approach that constantly monitors user behavior during a session rather than only at login. The system analyzes behavioral biometrics and contextual factors to maintain a confidence score, potentially triggering step-up authentication if suspicious patterns are detected.

Just-In-Time Access

Principle of providing access rights at the moment they're needed and for the minimum duration necessary. Reduces the attack surface by limiting standing privileges and requiring explicit justification for access to sensitive resources.

Continuous Adaptive Risk and Trust Assessment (CARTA)

Advanced security approach that continuously evaluates risk signals and adjusts trust levels throughout the digital interaction lifecycle. CARTA extends zero-trust principles by applying adaptive, risk-based decisions to all digital interactions, not just authentication events.

Defense-in-Depth (DiD)

Multi-layered approach to cybersecurity, with each layer focused on a different type of security, to create comprehensive and robust defenses against cyber threats. IAM solutions form a critical component of DiD strategy alongside other security controls.

Implementation Concepts

Identity Federation

The establishment of trust relationships between separate identity management systems, allowing users to use one set of credentials to access resources across different domains. Federation typically uses standards like SAML, OAuth, and OIDC to establish cross-domain trust.

Identity Provider (IdP)

System component that creates, maintains, and manages identity information while providing authentication services to relying applications. IdPs verify user identities and issue security tokens containing identity and access privileges information.

Service Provider (SP)

Entity that provides services to end-users or other systems. In identity management, service providers rely on identity providers to handle user authentication, focusing instead on providing application functionality.

Cloud-Native Identity Management

Identity solutions architected specifically for cloud environments, leveraging containerization, microservices, and elastic scaling. These solutions provide identity services through APIs and are designed for high availability and performance at scale.

Cloud Entitlements Management

The process of managing permissions and access rights within cloud environments. Involves identifying, classifying, and controlling access to cloud resources across IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS platforms.

Identity as a Service (IDaaS)

Cloud-based identity and access management services delivered through a subscription model. IDaaS providers handle authentication, directory services, SSO, governance, and other identity functions as managed services.

Customer Identity as a Service (CIDaaS)

Specialized IDaaS offering focused on customer-facing applications, emphasizing user experience, consent management, and support for social identity providers.

Identity Orchestration

The automation and coordination of identity-related processes across multiple systems and environments. Identity orchestration uses abstraction layers to decouple applications from their identity providers, allowing consistent identity operations across heterogeneous environments.

Advanced Cryptography & Security

Quantum-Resistant Cryptography

Cryptographic algorithms designed to withstand attacks from quantum computers, which could potentially break many current encryption systems. Also known as post-quantum cryptography (PQC), these algorithms use mathematical problems that remain hard to solve even with quantum computing capabilities.

Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)

The development and implementation of cryptographic algorithms that can resist attacks from quantum computers. As quantum computing advances threaten to break widely-used public key cryptography systems like RSA and ECC, PQC provides alternative approaches considered secure against both classical and quantum attacks.

Zero Knowledge Proofs (ZKP)

Cryptographic method allowing one party (the prover) to prove to another party (the verifier) that a statement is true without revealing any information beyond the validity of the statement itself. ZKPs enable privacy-preserving authentication and verification in identity systems.

Bring Your Own Key (BYOK)

Security model allowing organizations to generate and manage their own encryption keys when using cloud services. BYOK gives organizations greater control over their security posture while still leveraging cloud benefits, particularly important for sensitive identity data.

Confidential Computing for Identity

Use of hardware-based trusted execution environments (TEEs) to process sensitive identity data with enhanced security guarantees. Confidential computing protects data in use (during processing), complementing encryption for data at rest and in transit.

Device Identity Attestation

Cryptographic process that verifies a device's identity and security posture before granting access to resources. Device attestation validates that the device is genuine, running trusted software, and has not been compromised, adding an important security layer beyond user authentication.

Social & External Identity Integration

Social Login/Social Identity

Authentication mechanism allowing users to verify their identity using credentials from social media platforms like Google, Facebook, or Twitter. Simplifies the user experience while leveraging the security infrastructure of major platforms.

Bring Your Own Identity (BYOI)

Concept allowing users to use existing digital identities from trusted third-party providers to access new services rather than creating new credentials. BYOI reduces registration friction and password proliferation.

Identity Proofing

Process of verifying a user's claimed identity against authoritative sources before credential issuance. May involve document verification, knowledge-based authentication, or biometric matching against government ID.

Passwordless Identity Verification (PIV)

Modern approach to identity proofing that uses passwordless methods (biometrics, possession factors, etc.) to verify identity during onboarding or high-risk transactions. PIV combines the security benefits of strong identity verification with the usability advantages of passwordless authentication.

Data Privacy & Governance

Consent Management

Systems and processes for obtaining, recording, managing, and enforcing user consent for the collection and processing of personal data. Critical for compliance with privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA.

Identity Governance and Administration (IGA)

Comprehensive approach to managing digital identities and ensuring appropriate access to resources based on job requirements and compliance needs. IGA includes policy management, access requests, approvals, certifications, and analytics.

Privileged Access Management (PAM)

Framework for securing, controlling, and monitoring access to critical systems and sensitive data by privileged users. PAM includes password vaults, session monitoring, and just-in-time privileged access provisioning.

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Access control mechanism that assigns permissions based on organizational roles rather than to individual users. RBAC simplifies access management by grouping permissions into roles that align with job functions.

Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)

Fine-grained access control paradigm where access decisions are based on a combination of subject attributes, resource attributes, action attributes, and environmental conditions. ABAC provides more dynamic and contextual access decisions than RBAC.

Dynamic Authorization

Real-time, contextual approach to access control that evaluates multiple factors at the moment of access request. Unlike static permissions, dynamic authorization considers current conditions (user location, device security status, data sensitivity, etc.) to make granular access decisions.

Progressive Profiling

Technique for gradually collecting user information over time rather than requesting all data during initial registration. Improves conversion rates and user experience by minimizing friction while building comprehensive profiles incrementally.

User Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA)

Security process that uses machine learning algorithms to detect anomalies in user behavior that may indicate compromised credentials or insider threats. UEBA establishes baselines of normal behavior and flags deviations for investigation.

AI-Powered Identity Analytics

Advanced application of artificial intelligence to identity data for threat detection, anomaly identification, and access optimization. AI-powered identity analytics can identify patterns invisible to human analysts, enabling proactive security interventions and improved access governance.

Advanced Security Components

Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Protection

Security mechanisms designed to detect and mitigate attempts to disrupt services by overwhelming them with traffic from multiple sources. DDoS protection is critical for identity services as they are often primary targets for attackers seeking to disable authentication systems.

Adaptive Authentication

Dynamic security system that adjusts authentication requirements based on risk assessment. The system analyzes multiple factors including device, location, IP address, time of access, and user behavior to determine appropriate authentication controls.

Behavioral Biometrics

Authentication method that analyzes patterns in human activity like typing rhythm, mouse movements, or touch screen interactions to verify identity. Unlike physical biometrics, behavioral biometrics can provide continuous authentication throughout a session without user interaction.

Fraud Detection and Prevention

Systems that identify and block fraudulent authentication attempts using AI, machine learning, and behavioral analytics. These systems analyze patterns across multiple dimensions to detect anomalies indicating potential fraud.

Account Takeover (ATO) Protection

Security measures designed to prevent unauthorized access to user accounts through credential stuffing, phishing, or other attack vectors. ATO protection typically includes anomaly detection, MFA, and suspicious activity monitoring.

Identity Verification

Process of confirming that persons are who they claim to be through various means including document verification, biometric matching, or knowledge-based authentication. Critical for high-assurance use cases like financial services and healthcare.

API Security Gateways

Specialized security components that protect API endpoints by handling authentication, authorization, encryption, and threat protection. API security gateways are particularly important for identity systems, which often expose sensitive functionality through APIs.

Emerging IAM Concepts

Decentralized Identity

Model where individuals control their own identity data without relying on centralized authorities. Often implemented using blockchain or distributed ledger technology, decentralized identity enables users to selectively disclose information while maintaining privacy.

Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI)

Concept that users should control their digital identities without intervention from external administrators. SSI typically involves verifiable credentials stored in digital wallets that can be selectively shared while preserving privacy.

W3C Verifiable Credentials

Standardized format for digitally signed credentials that can be cryptographically verified. Verifiable credentials enable secure, privacy-preserving digital representations of physical credentials like driver's licenses, diplomas, or medical certifications.

Continuous Access Evaluation Protocol (CAEP)

Standard for real-time security evaluation that enables identity providers to notify applications when risk signals change, potentially leading to session revocation. CAEP enhances security by shifting from static token validation to continuous evaluation.

Customer Identity Resolution

Process of connecting multiple identifiers and data points to create a unified customer profile across channels and interactions. Identity resolution enables consistent recognition and personalized experiences across touchpoints while maintaining privacy controls.

ID-less Authentication

Emerging approach that authenticates users based on behavioral and contextual signals without requiring explicit identification. Focuses on confirming legitimate access patterns rather than verifying specific identities.

Agentic AI Identity Management

The integration of autonomous AI agents into identity systems for enhanced security, fraud detection, and user experience optimization. These AI agents can proactively identify threats, adapt security controls, and streamline identity operations without human intervention.

Blockchain-Based Identity

The use of distributed ledger technology to create tamper-resistant identity systems that don't depend on central authorities. Blockchain-based identity systems can enhance FIDO authentication by providing additional security for public key storage and verification.

Quantum Identity Communication

Emerging protocols that leverage quantum properties like entanglement and superposition to create theoretically unhackable identity verification and secure communications channels, protecting against both classical and quantum computing threats.