Combining SABSA and Vis4Sec to the Process Framework IdMSecMan to Continuously Improve Identity Management Security in Heterogeneous ICT Infrastructures

Abstract

Identity management ensures that users have appropriate access to resources, such as ICT services and data. Thereby, identity management does not only identify, authenticate, and authorize individuals, but also the hardware devices and software applications which the users need for access. In consequence, identity management is an important element of information security management (ISM) and data governance. As ICT infrastructures are constantly changing, and new threats emerge, identity management has to be continuously improved, just like any other business process. In order to align the identity management process with business requirements, and provide a systematic approach supported by reporting and supporting visualizations, we apply Sherwood Applied Business Security Architecture (SABSA) and Visualization for Security (Vis4Sec) together in our approach, IdMSecMan (identity management security management). We first introduce IdMSecMan, before applying it to the central technical process activities of identification, authentication, and authorization. Our approach is underlined by a case study. Thereby, we, for example, see that enabling multi-factor authentication in organizations impacts other areas that may be overlooked without a structured approach. With IdMSecMan, we provide a process framework to align all decisions and to constantly improve identity management within organizations and inter-organizational collaborations.

Keywords

• identity management
• enterprise architectures
• SABSA
• continuous improvement
• information security