Customer identity and access management (CIAM) protects customer data and information by implementing strict rules and requirements that help control access and ensure users are who they are and they have the right privileges to access the right resources.
Features of a CIAM solution that protects the customer data include strong encryption, robust access control, multi-factor authentication, data privacy laws and regulations adherence, regular security updates and patches and user awareness and training.
Encryption secures customer data by converting sensitive data into a coded format that can only be deciphered with a specific digital key. The encryption data can be stored, transmitted, and processed without the risk of being intercepted and read by unauthorized users. This provides an additional layer of security for customer data and helps prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security incidents.
Permissions and access control sets who can access customer data and information, based on roles and responsibilities. With access control, organizations can ensure that customer data is only accessible to authorized users and sensitive data is protected from unauthorized access or theft. This prevents data breaches, unauthorized access, and other security incidents which can result in loss of customer trust and reputation.
Access control can also help to improve the user experience by providing customized access to different customer segments based on their needs and preferences. This can result in a more personalized and relevant customer experience, and can help organizations build stronger relationships with their customers.
Another CIAM feature that helps protect customer data and information is multi-factor authentication. In a nutshell, multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires multiple forms of authentication, such as a password and a security token, to access customer information, making it more difficult for unauthorized users to access it.
MFA helps to enhance the security of customer data by making it more difficult for unauthorized users to access it. This can give customers peace of mind, knowing that their information is protected and secure.
In addition, MFA can also improve the user experience by making it easier and more convenient for customers to access their information. For example, by using MFA, customers can avoid having to remember complex passwords, which can lead to forgotten passwords and account lockouts.
MFA helps to enhance the security of customer data by making it more difficult for unauthorized users to access it. This can give customers peace of mind, knowing that their information is protected and secure.
Successful CIAM implementations also adhere to data privacy laws and regulations, some of which are listed below:
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): A regulation of the European Union (EU) that applies to all organizations processing personal data of EU residents. It sets standards for data privacy, security, and protection of personal data.
- California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): A state law in California, USA, that gives consumers the right to know what personal information businesses are collecting about them and the right to request that it be deleted.
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): A federal law in the United States that sets standards for protecting the privacy and security of individually identifiable health information.
- Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): A set of security standards for organizations that accept, process, store, or transmit credit card information.
- The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA): A federal law in the United States that sets standards for protecting the online privacy of children under the age of 13.
By strictly adhering to the laws and regulations, especially the ones that apply to their customers, an enterprise can ensure customer data privacy and protections.
Protecting customers and their data is at the heart of enterprise CIAM. By ensuring that the CIAM solutions you implement have the above-mentioned features, you can keep your customers safe, and at the same time improve the user experience, and build customer trust and confidence in the solution.
To learn about selecting the right CIAM solution for your business, set up a call with our CIAM experts.