This technology is a bridge between the B2C and B2B worlds, significantly improving security and privacy while simplifying tasks for consumers who now expect login and account management functions to be fast, easy, and seamless. As a result, CIAM is often viewed not only as a security tool, but also as a growth engine for businesses.
CIAM is typically hosted in the cloud and runs on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model. It relies on built-in connectors and APIs to connect multiple enterprise applications, systems, and data stores. This croatia mobile database it to unify functions including customer registration, account management, directory services, and authentication. For example, when a customer visits a website or makes a phone call, the CIAM solution authenticates them (e.g., with a password, single sign-on, biometrics, or multi-factor authentication). It also handles a variety of protocols, including SAML, OpenID Connect, OAuth, and FIDO. Once a customer has registered, they can place an order, track a shipment, update their user profile, and perform other account-related tasks.
Another benefit of CIAM is risk-based authentication (RBA), also known as adaptive authentication. This means that the system can look for signs and signals — such as a user’s IP address, HTTP request headers, access date and time, and other factors — to determine when risk is elevated and additional authentication controls are needed. Because CIAM integrates with other digital systems, it can ensure that information is up-to-date across all connected systems, as well as a consistent omnichannel experience and even personalize interactions to better match customer profiles, personas, and behaviors.