Introduction
Cloud governance and federated identity management are two vital aspects of cloud infrastructure management. Both have their unique benefits and drawbacks, and it can be quite challenging to decide between these two. In this blog post, we’ll provide an unbiased comparison of federated identity management and cloud governance to help you make an informed decision.
Federated Identity Management
Federated Identity Management (FIM) is a type of identity management system that enables users to use a single set of credentials to access multiple systems. It allows users to authenticate themselves with one system and then use that authentication across all the systems that are part of the federation.
FIM has several benefits, including reducing the need for multiple passwords, improving security, lowering administrative overheads, and reducing the risk of credential theft. According to [1], companies with single sign-on (SSO) experience 33% fewer login-related helpdesk tickets.
Cloud Governance
Cloud governance refers to the framework and policies that help organizations manage their cloud infrastructure. Cloud governance policies cover different areas, such as security, compliance, cost management, and resource allocation. It helps organizations ensure that their cloud infrastructure remains secure, meets regulatory requirements, and is cost-efficient.
Some of the benefits of cloud governance include better security, reduced costs, adherence to compliance requirements, and increased agility. According to a recent survey [2], companies that implement cloud governance policies benefit from a 56% reduction in security incidents.
Federated Identity Management vs Cloud Governance
FIM and cloud governance have different goals and approaches, and it is not entirely accurate to say that one is better than the other. However, it is essential to understand their differences and how they can work together.
FIM aims to simplify user authentication and provide seamless access to various systems. However, it is not entirely concerned with security and compliance. On the other hand, cloud governance policies focus on ensuring that cloud infrastructure remains secure, compliant, and cost-efficient.
Cloud governance policies can complement FIM by providing additional layers of security and governance. FIM can also help organizations achieve compliance by providing a consolidated view of user access across multiple systems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both federated identity management and cloud governance are essential components of a cloud infrastructure management strategy. FIM aims to simplify user authentication, while cloud governance policies provide guidelines for better security, compliance, and cost management. Both can complement each other, and organizations must evaluate their requirements and choose the right mix of FIM and cloud governance policies.