Entry-Level
Roles in
Identity Access
Management
(IAM)
IAM is a vital area of cybersecurity
focused on ensuring that the right
individuals have access to the
right resources at the right times
for the right reasons.
Common
Entry-Level
IAM Roles
IAM Analyst
Tasks:
Managing user accounts, reviewing access
requests, implementing role-based access
control (RBAC), and monitoring access
activities.
Tools:
Active Directory (AD), Okta, SailPoint, Ping
Identity, or other IAM platforms.
Access Control
Administrator
Tasks:
Granting and revoking permissions,
troubleshooting access issues, and
maintaining compliance with company
policies.
Tools:
Identity governance tools like SailPoint,
BeyondTrust, or Oracle Identity
Management.
Provisioning Specialist
Tasks:
Creating and managing user accounts,
ensuring proper onboarding and
offboarding processes, and addressing
access-related issues.
Tools:
Microsoft Azure AD, IAM platforms, and
HRIS integrations for account automation.
Help Desk Specialist
(with IAM focus)
Tasks:
Handling access-related tickets, password
resets, multi-factor authentication (MFA)
support, and troubleshooting login issues.
Tools:
Help desk software integrated with IAM
tools.
Required Skills for
Entry-Level IAM Roles
Understanding of IAM Basics:
Knowledge of concepts like RBAC, least
privilege, single sign-on (SSO), and MFA.
Familiarity with IAM Tools:
Exposure to tools like Microsoft AD, Okta,
Azure AD, or similar platforms.
Basic Security Principles:
Awareness of cybersecurity principles,
such as confidentiality, integrity, and
availability (CIA triad).
Required Skills for
Entry-Level IAM Roles
cont...
Attention to Detail:
Critical for managing permissions
accurately and avoiding errors.
Communication Skills:
Essential for explaining access issues and
processes to non-technical users.
Training for
Entry-Level IAM
Foundational IT Knowledge:
Courses on networking and operating
systems can provide the
groundwork, such as:
CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+)
CompTIA Network+
IAM-Specific Training:
Free Options:
Microsoft Learn: Introduction to
Identity and Access Management
Coursera: IAM courses from
universities and organizations like IBM.
Training for
Entry-Level IAM
cont...
Paid Options:
Pluralsight or Udemy: Courses on Okta,
Azure AD, and IAM fundamentals.
LinkedIn Learning: Topics on identity
governance and access control.
Hands-On Experience:
Use free trials or sandbox environments of
IAM tools like Okta or SailPoint.
Build labs for managing users and groups
using Microsoft Active Directory.
Recommended
Certifications for
Entry-Level IAM
CompTIA Security+
Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and
Identity Fundamentals (SC-900)
Okta Certified Professional
SailPoint Certified IdentityNow Engineer
(Entry Level)
ITIL Foundation
Certified Access Management Specialist
(CAMS)
Expected Salary
and Growth
Average Salary (Entry-Level):
$50,000–$75,000 per year, depending on the
organization and location.
Career Growth:
IAM professionals often advance to roles like
IAM Engineer, Identity Architect, or IAM
Manager, with significant salary increases and
responsibilities.
