Evolving IAM Challenges in Healthcare and Other Sectors

The healthcare sector has long faced unique challenges involving identity and access management, but the novel coronavirus pandemic and other key drivers are accentuating those issues, says Rebecca Archambault, senior director analyst at Gartner.

See Also: Now OnDemand | C-Suite Round-up: Connecting the Dots Between OT and Identity

Among them is the push for health data exchange and interoperability among healthcare providers and the expansion of telehealth services, she says in an interview with Information Security Media Group.

“Many companies were positioned for telehealth, but the pandemic sort of pushed that forward,” she says. “Identity proofing around telehealth and someone you never met before – how do you know they are who they say they are?” she asks, describing one of the many hurdles.

“Machine identities such as wearables – talk about machine identities outnumbering humans. The need to manage that with a complete IAM program is more important than ever.”

Organizations can no longer address identities “in silos,” Archambault says. “Everything your company does involves an identity. Whether it’s a change to an application, a new product or service, if you’re delivering digital transformation in any way or form, you’re including identity.”

In the video, Archambault also discusses:

• Common issues that trip up some organizations when implementing a zero trust approach;
• Why many companies need to more fully use the power of identity governance administration;
• Breaches involving credential and identity compromises.

Archambault’s area of expertise within Gartner is identity and access management strategy. Prior to joining Gartner in 2021, she worked in the healthcare and finance sector, including at the Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center and the Identity Defined Security Alliance, and focused on operational and strategic aspects of identity.