Page 236 - Cyber Defense eMagazine September 2025

term success. Relying on quick fixes or basing governance on untrustworthy master data can lead to
serious issues. Without a long-term perspective, organizations risk locking themselves into rigid,
unmanageable solutions.

For example, if data classification is delegated to individual system owners without a unifying framework,
any hope of consistent, organization-wide reporting and access management quickly dissolves.
Classifications must be defined globally, supported by a solid business case. Once this foundation is in
place, the IGA operations team can implement the classification scheme and ensure that relevant owners
are responsible for maintaining accurate classifications for their systems.

Best practices for IGA success

If you're unsure how IGA fits into your overall IT or security strategy, now is the time to clarify its role. If
your IGA strategy is clear but the guiding principles for it are not, it's time to define those principles. If
your principles are well-established but every initiative is still being run through ad hoc project teams due
to the absence of a dedicated IGA operations team, then it’s time to build one.

No matter where you are on your IGA journey, it’s crucial to partner with someone who has a proven
track record at the level you’re aiming to improve. While software matters, successful IGA implementation
is only about 20% tooling and technique and 80% organizational alignment and execution.

Commit to the IGA journey

Treating IGA as a one-off project is one of the most common — and costly — missteps organizations
make. It is not something you can "complete"; it’s a living, breathing part of your security and IT
ecosystem. As identities, roles, systems and regulations continuously evolve, so must your IGA program.

Success with IGA requires a shift in mindset from project to process, from quick fixes to strategic
alignment. That means building the right foundation: clear ownership, strong operational capabilities,
well-defined principles and the organizational will to treat IGA as a continuous discipline.

When done right, IGA enables far more than compliance checkboxes. It empowers organizations to move
with confidence, meet ever-changing regulatory demands and provide secure, appropriate access —
every day, for everyone. That’s not a destination you arrive at. It’s a journey you commit to.

Cyber Defense eMagazine – September 2025 Edition 236
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