Identity management (IdM), also known as identity and access management (IAM or IdAM), is a framework of policies and technologies to ensure that the right users have the appropriate access to technology resources. Identity management systems manage identifying and ancillary data about entities that include individuals, computer-related hardware, and software applications. The main goal of identity management is to ensure that only authenticated users are granted access to the specific applications, systems, or IT environments for which they are authorized. Identity management includes authenticating users and determining whether theyre allowed access to particular systems, while access management is aimed at authorization. An identity management system is a database that stores identifying information about the people and devices that need to access an organization’s data and resources. The database stores attributes such as usernames, email addresses, phone numbers, managers, direct reports, assigned workplace, education level, and security clearance level. These attributes are used to help verify that a user is who they say they are. Identity management systems enable administrators to automate many user account-related tasks, including onboarding new employees and adding new devices to the network, granting them access to the appropriate systems and applications based on their role.