If you’ve spent any time in the identity security space lately, you’ve probably noticed the word “Fabric” being tossed around a lot. And if you’re like most people, you might be wondering: Is this just another marketing buzzword?
Identity environments today are more complex than ever. Organizations aren’t just dealing with a single system or directory anymore – they’re juggling cloud apps, hybrid infrastructures, legacy systems, privileged users, third-party vendors and more. Each one comes with its own identity challenges, and too often they’re managed in silos. That leaves gaps. And gaps are exactly what attackers look for.
The value of an Identity Fabric
According to Randy Franklin Smith, founder of Ultimate Windows Security, “There is seldom a breach that is the result of a single vulnerability”. He’s right. Breaches usually happen because attackers find one weak spot, then chain it together with others until they’ve created a clear path to your sensitive data.
That’s why identifying and closing gaps in your identity environment is so important. The fewer gaps, the harder it is for attackers to find a spot to slip in.
Think of it as stitching together solutions that not only work side by side but actually strengthen each other. By doing this, an Identity Fabric can reduce or eliminate vulnerabilities and make it much harder for attackers to sneak in, move around and escalate their privileges to exploit data.
What is an Identity Fabric?
So what is it, exactly?
An Identity Fabric is an ecosystem that seamlessly connects previously siloed identity tools into a single, unified framework. Instead of treating identity governance and administration (IGA), privileged access management (PAM), access management (AM), and Active Directory management (AD Mgmt) as separate projects, an Identity Fabric brings them all together so they work seamlessly.
Here’s why that matters:
- Consistent protection everywhere
With AI and automation woven in, policies can be applied across your environment – cloud, hybrid, or on-prem – without gaps. - Stronger governance
Access can be based on behavior, attributes, and context, with detailed change tracking for audits and compliance. - Simplified authentication and authorization
From everyday users to privileged admins and third parties, access becomes more streamlined and secure. - Modern security for legacy systems
Even older systems can benefit from advanced authentication protocols and tighter controls.
Ready to learn more?
All of these benefits can reduce vulnerabilities to improve your security profile. So, is an Identity Fabric real or fiction? I think the benefits speak for themselves.
If you want to dive deeper or find out how to put an Identity Fabric to work in your environment, check out this interactive discussion with Robert Kraczek, One Identity global IAM strategist, and Randy Franklin Smith, industry expert and president of Monterey Technology Group, Inc.
In this session, you will:
- Explore real security incidents that demonstrate the need for an Identity Fabric
- Discuss ways that an Identity Fabric integrates IAM to eliminate patchwork identity security
- See how the One Identity Fabric satisfies modern security standards and regulations
At the end of the day, an Identity Fabric isn’t just a trendy word. It’s about connecting your tools, closing gaps and making your identity security ecosystem work better together. The more cohesive your environment is, the harder it is for attackers to get in – and the easier it is for your team to stay on top of things.
