Identity Defined Security Alliance Partners with National Cybersecurity Alliance for Second Annual ‘Identity Management Day’

The Identity Defined Security Alliance (IDSA), a non-profit that provides free vendor-neutral education and resources to help organisations reduce the risk of a breach by combining identity and security strategies announced the second annual ‘Identity Management Day.’

The awareness event takes place on the second Tuesday in April each year; this year Identity Management Day 2022 will be held on April 12.

Identity Management Day

According to the “2021 Trends in Securing Digital Identities” report from the IDSA, 79% of organisations have experienced an identity-related security breach. The mission of Identity Management Day is to educate business leaders, IT decision-makers, and the public on the importance of identity management and key components including governance, identity-centric security best practices, processes, and technology, with a special focus on the dangers of not properly securing identities and related access credentials.

In addition, the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) will guide consumers, to ensure that their online identities are protected through security awareness and best practices.

Implementing identity management best practices

The goal is to raise awareness, share best practices, and inspire individuals and organisations of all sizes to act"

“Attacks over the past year on SolarWinds and Colonial Pipeline had massive repercussions, and yet neither was carried out via new techniques. Both were the result of inadequate identity management practices. The SolarWinds and Colonial Pipeline breaches should be a rallying cry for implementing basic identity management principles and evidence that an identity-related breach can happen to an organisation of any size and have significant repercussions to critical infrastructure and supply chains,” said Julie Smith, executive director of the IDSA.

“The goal of Identity Management Day is to raise awareness, share best practices, and inspire individuals and organisations of all sizes to act, so that failure to implement basic identity management best practices doesn’t result in the next headline breach.”

How to get involved

• Become an Identity Management Champion: Join the growing list of Identity Management Champions who make identity management and security foundational to their mission.
• Nominate for an Identity Management Award: Submit to individuals and organisations that are making identity management and security an enabler to business operations while reducing risk.
• Share Best Practices: Contribute blog content on identity management and security. Send links for amplification on social media and potential inclusion on the Identity Management Day website.
• Join the Identity Management Day Conversation on Social Media: Spread the word on social media using #IDMgmtDay2022and #BeIdentitySmart and the social cards
• Explore Resources: Discover best practices for enterprises, SMBs, and consumers from across the industry on the Identity Management Day news and resources page.
• Support the Next Generation of Identity Management Leaders: Donate to the “Identity Management Day Scholarship Program,” a scholarship fund to help provide financial support to high school students and career transitioners on their path to an identity smart cybersecurity career.
• Join Us on Identity Management Day: Hear from identity and security practitioners, industry experts, and network with peers on best practices for addressing today’s challenges and the future of identity security. Register for updates on events happening on April 12.

Improving cyber identities

Poor cyber hygiene on a professional or personal account or device can leave your entire digital identity vulnerable"

“Work from home and ‘bring your device policies have blurred the lines between our personal and professional lives. Poor cyber hygiene on a professional or personal account or device can leave your entire digital identity vulnerable.”

“Fortunately, there are a few simple steps everyone can take to vastly improve the security of their online identities. These include enabling multi-factor authentication wherever possible, using a password manager, and performing software updates. Taking even just one of these steps can help protect both your organization and family from cyberattacks,” said Lisa Plaggemier, Interim Executive Director of the National Cybersecurity Alliance.

Zero Trust security model

“Two years into pandemic-induced remote work, changing market dynamics, evolving customer needs, and modified operating models, digital transformation and cybersecurity have never been more paramount.”

“As business transformation continues to accelerate, managing risk and security in a work-from-anywhere world remains challenging for enterprises and SMBs alike. Today, identity has become the first line of defence and the first step to protecting organisations and adopting a modern Zero Trust security model,” said Ravi Erukulla, VP, Analyst Relations and Customer Advocacy at Saviynt and Chairman of Identity Management Day.