Zero Trust Architecture and the Future of Access Management

The digital world has rapidly evolved in recent years, changing how we manage access to IT systems. The crucial question today is whether traditional Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems are still relevant in an IT world based on Zero Trust.

Zero Trust: mistrust as protection

Zero Trust is a concept that suggests we should no longer blindly trust that a network or its users are secure in today's connected world, where constant threats and the "Internet of Things" play a central role. Instead of relying on a comprehensive security fortress surrounding the entire network, every access to a system is individually and in real-time verified. Even if a user is already in the network, they must re-authenticate for each access.

The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) supports this concept and recognizes the need to define individual access rules for each system. This is a significant step towards more secure and effective access management that meets the constantly changing threats.

Problems of traditional IAM Systems

A closer look at traditional IAM systems reveals that they cannot meet the requirements of Zero Trust. These systems often rely on a trust model where a one-time login is sufficient to access resources. This contradicts Zero Trust, where authentication and permissions are continuously and individually granted.

Decentralized Identities as a solution for Zero Trust

The solution to this problem is decentralized identities. Decentralized identities allow users to manage their digital identities in a digital wallet on their smartphone, known as wallets. This is similar to the real world, where everyone has an individual key to open the door themselves, rather than relying on a doorman to admit only those who are authorized.

The European Union is already working on the technical and regulatory framework for creating a "European Digital Identity Wallet." This wallet will not only enable the identification of individuals and the legally binding signing of documents but also facilitate the management of non-sovereign documents such as employee IDs and event tickets.

The future is already available today

Although the development of a "European Digital Identity Wallet" will take some time, it does not mean that companies cannot benefit from decentralized identities today. Solutions for decentralizing identification processes for closed user groups are already available. An example is our SOWL toolbox, whose components are successfully used as construction site keys by the Lindner Group. With inGo, construction site approvals can be carried out easily, quickly, and securely digitally. Annoying paperwork, time loss, and the risk of fines are eliminated.

Conclusion: More secure, transparent, and cost-effective

The use cases for decentralized identities are varied, but they all have one thing in common: they make processes more secure, transparent, and cost-effective. The future of access management undoubtedly lies in adapting to the Zero Trust philosophy by integrating decentralized identities to ensure security and efficiency in the digital world.