In computing, identity management describes the management of individual principals, their authentication, authorization, and privileges within or across system and enterprise boundaries with the goal of increasing security and productivity while decreasing cost, downtime and repetitive tasks.

Today most companies have an increasing task to control access to valuable information and applications spread across internal and external IT systems. In addition, this access must is granted to a growing number of identities, both within and outside the company without compromising safety or expose sensitive data.

Identity Management components can be classified into 4 main categories: authentication, authorization, user management and central user database. The ultimate goal is to offer the right people the right access at the right time.

Identity and access management includes people, processes and products for managing identities and resources of a given company. Furthermore the company must ensure the accuracy of the data in order for the Identity Management framework to function properly.