What is the difference between IAM vs PAM vs IGA

In this digital first world identity is defined as the new security perimeter, IAM, PAM, and IGA form the core of any effective identity security strategy.

IAM (Identity and Access Management) can be defined as an tool that enforces who can access which type of resources: such as, systems, applications, or data based on their pre defined roles, policies, and authentication mechanisms.

Whereas, PAM (Privileged Access Management) adds an extra layer by securing high-risk, privileged accounts such as admin or root accounts through strict access controls, session monitoring, privilege elevation, password rotation and credential vaulting.

Talking about, IGA (Identity Governance and Administration), it provides oversight by governing access rights across the organization, ensuring they comply with internal policies and external regulations. This can be done through processes like access reviews, certifications, and role lifecycle management.

Although all of the above are more so viewed in isolation, but the real power comes when they work together, while balancing access control, privileged account protection, and identity governance. In this blog we will be focussing on understanding the difference between IAM and IGA and PAM, which is the key to building a resilient, Zero Trust-ready cybersecurity framework.

Keytakaways

• IAM controls user access to systems and applications based on roles and policies.
• IGA ensures that access is compliant, auditable, and governed across the identity lifecycle.
• PAM protects privileged accounts with advanced controls like JIT access, vaulting, and session monitoring.
• Using IAM, IGA, or PAM in silos can lead to security blind spots and compliance risks.
• A unified identity strategy combining all three strengthens your Zero Trust posture.
• Automating provisioning, access reviews, and privileged session monitoring is essential.
• Integration between IAM, IGA, and PAM improves visibility, reduces risk, and supports cloud identity security.

What Is IAM (Identity and Access Management)?

Identity and Access Management (IAM) is considered as the backbone of modern identity security. IAM ensures that the right individuals, who could be an employee, contractor, or partner can gain access to the right systems and its data at the right time, and for the right reasons.

When we talk about IAM, it primarly handles core functionlities such as user provisioning, authentication, Single Sign-On (SSO), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and policy-based authorization. These not just streamline user access but also reduces risk by enforcing enterprise identity protection and minimize any unauthorized entry points.

Key Functions of IAM

• User provisioning and deprovisioning
• Single Sign-On (SSO)
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
• Role-based access control (RBAC) and policy enforcement

IAM in Action

Let us understand this with a day to day example: Imagine a new hire joins the HR department. IAM automatically provisions their account, enables SSO for HR platforms for Workday, enforces MFA during login, and restricts access to only what their role requires nothing more, nothing less.

IAM serves as a critical layer in your broader identity management strategy, especially when implementing Zero Trust access and maintaining IAM compliance.

What Is IGA (Identity Governance and Administration)?

Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) which is buit on the foundation of IAM by introducing a strong governance layer that focuses on centralized access visibility, policy enforcement, and compliance. While IAM grants access, on the other hand IGA ensures that access is appropriate, monitored, and in line with all the regulations.

IGA helps manage identity-related risks, enforce segregation of duties (SoD), and streamline compliance efforts through scheduled access reviews, certification workflows, and extremely helpful during detailed audit trails.

Key Functions of IGA:

• Access certification and reviews
• Role mining and entitlement management
• Segregation of duties enforcement (SoD)
• Compliance reporting and audit readiness
• Identity lifecycle governance

IGA in Practice:

Consider a company that handles sensitive financial data. Every quarter, IGA tools like Tech Prescient’s Identity Confluence facilitate automated access reviews, allowing managers to evaluate and certify user access based on roles, necessity, and policy compliance.

IGA is important for maintaining any type of accountability, it reduces all forms of insider threats, and supports a strong identity management strategy within any cybersecurity framework.

What Is PAM (Privileged Access Management)?

Privileged Access Management (PAM) is a security framework which is focused on controlling and monitoring access to accounts with elevated privileges. These accounts often used by system administrators, database engineers, or DevOps teams and have wider access to critical systems, making them high-value targets for attackers.

Unlike IAM, which manages general user access, PAM zeroes in on privileged accounts, limiting their use through strict access policies, time-bound permissions, and real-time oversight. This helps prevent misuse, whether from insider threats or compromised credentials.

Key Functions of PAM:

• Just-in-Time (JIT) access provisioning
• Privileged session monitoring and recording
• Password vaulting and automated credential rotation
• Role-based access control for high-privilege users
• Threat detection and rapid response

PAM in Practice:

Let us take an example of an IT administrator who needs access to a production server. With the help of PAM, access is granted only for that particular task and some limited pre defined time frame. All the activities performed by individuals are recorded for auditing, and automatically revoked afterwards. Credentials are stored in a secure vault and rotated regularly to reduce risk.

PAM strengthens cloud identity security, enhances insider threat prevention, and plays an important role in Zero Trust and digital identity control strategies.

IAM vs IGA vs PAM – A Feature Comparison

IAM manages everyday user access, IGA governs access with compliance and policy controls, and PAM protects high-risk privileged accounts. Here's how they compare across key capabilities:

How IAM, IGA, and PAM Work Together

A strong identity management strategy doesn’t just rely on any one of these solutions. It brings together IAM to manage access, IGA to govern that access, and PAM to secure accounts with elevated privileges. Together, they form a layered approach to enterprise identity protection, reducing risk, ensuring compliance, and increasing visibility across the organization.

While IAM handles who gets access and when, IGA ensures that access is appropriate, regularly reviewed, and policy-compliant. PAM steps in to tightly control and monitor access to sensitive systems, aligning the organization with the principle of least privilege a core pillar of Zero Trust access.

IAM + IGA + PAM in Action

Use Case: A financial services firm operating in a cloud-first environment with multiple privileged accounts and strict regulatory requirements.

• IAM provisions new users, enforces Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and enables Single Sign-On (SSO) to key applications.
• IGA governs user roles with periodic access reviews, detects toxic combinations through segregation of duties (SoD) policies, and maintains audit trails for compliance.
• PAM secures privileged access to critical systems like production databases and cloud infrastructure. It provides Just-in-Time access, password vaulting, and real-time session monitoring.

Zero Trust Alignment:

The organization applies the principle of least privilege, allowing users only the access they need, when they need it. With governance from IGA and access control from IAM and PAM, the enterprise builds a resilient Zero Trust architecture rooted in visibility, policy enforcement, and identity-driven defense.

Common Pitfalls When Using IAM, IGA, or PAM in Silos

While IAM, IGA, and PAM are powerful on their own, using them in isolation can lead to serious identity security gaps.

• IAM without periodic access reviews can result in overprovisioned users and unnecessary access lingering across systems.
• No PAM for DevOps or admin accounts leaves critical infrastructure exposed to insider threats and credential misuse.
• Lack of visibility across the identity lifecycle prevents security teams from tracking who has access, why they have it, and whether it should be revoked.

When IAM, IGA, and PAM are disconnected, you lose the context and control needed for a mature identity management strategy and effective cybersecurity framework.

Best Practices for Implementing IAM, IGA, and PAM Together

Integrating IAM, IGA, and PAM leads to stronger governance, reduced risk, and a more secure cloud environment. Here’s how to do it right:

• Define user roles and identity lifecycle flows to avoid unnecessary access and enforce Zero Trust access.
• Automate provisioning, access certification, and Just-in-Time (JIT) privileged access to eliminate manual errors and improve scalability.
• Continuously monitor privileged sessions to detect and respond to suspicious activity in real time.
• Ensure tight integration between your IAM, IGA, and PAM platforms so identity data flows seamlessly and policies remain consistent across systems.

Following these best practices helps organizations build a unified and proactive approach to digital identity control, IAM compliance, and enterprise identity protection.

Final Thoughts: Build a Complete Identity Security Framework

Securing digital identities in today’s cloud-driven, perimeter-less world requires more than just access control. It demands a unified approach where IAM, IGA, and PAM work in harmony. IAM ensures the right access, IGA governs it with policy and oversight, and PAM secures the most sensitive parts of your infrastructure. When implemented together, these solutions help enforce the principle of least privilege, strengthen insider threat prevention, and support a resilient Zero Trust architecture all while staying compliant and audit-ready.

At Tech Prescient, we help forward-thinking organizations bring these layers together through modern, scalable identity solutions. Whether you're building from scratch or optimizing your current stack, our platform supports a seamless, policy-driven identity security framework tailored to your needs.

Ready to see how IAM, IGA, and PAM can work together in your environment? Book a live demo with our experts and take the first step toward complete identity security.

FAQs

1. What is the main difference between IAM and IGA?

While both IAM (Identity and Access Management) and IGA (Identity Governance and Administration) are essential for securing user access, they serve different purposes. IAM focuses on managing user identities and controlling access to resources, ensuring only authorized users can access certain systems. IGA, on the other hand, goes beyond this by enforcing compliance, ensuring that access permissions adhere to governance policies, and auditing access rights to ensure continuous security and compliance.

2. Why do I need both IAM and IGA?

IAM ensures that users have the right access at the right time, but without IGA, you may lack the visibility and control necessary to ensure that access remains compliant with organizational policies and regulatory requirements. IGA provides the necessary framework for governance, while IAM ensures secure access management—together, they form a robust security infrastructure.

3. How does IAM support compliance?

IAM supports compliance by ensuring only authorized individuals can access sensitive resources. It helps enforce the principle of least privilege through Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), which limits user access based on their roles. However, compliance is fully achieved only when IGA integrates with IAM to ensure that access permissions and policies are continually monitored, audited, and aligned with compliance standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and others.

4. What are some common IAM and IGA tools?

Some popular IAM tools include solutions like Okta, Microsoft Azure AD, and Ping Identity, which manage identity and access for users. For IGA, tools like SailPoint, Saviynt, and One Identity help with compliance management, audit trails, and policy enforcement. Many organizations choose integrated solutions to manage both IAM and IGA for a unified approach to security and governance.

5. What industries benefit most from IAM and IGA?

IAM and IGA are crucial for industries that handle large amounts of sensitive data or require strict compliance, including financial services, healthcare, government, and education. These industries rely on secure, compliant access to sensitive information, and IAM and IGA frameworks provide the necessary visibility, control, and auditability to manage access effectively.