Identity Repositories

One-sentence definition

Identity Repositories are centralized systems for securely managing and storing identities and access data within an IGA framework.

Detailed description

Identity Repositories are essential components within an Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) framework, serving as centralized hubs for managing and storing identities, identity attributes, access entitlements, and other related information. They are integrated and managed within the IT environment to ensure secure and efficient identity management.

They form the backbone of IAM systems, ensuring the accurate, secure, and efficient handling of identity information across the organization.

Key aspects / Key functionalities

The various types of identity repositories include:

• Relational Databases: Structured storage systems that organize identity data into tables and relationships for easy querying and management.
• LDAP Directories: Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) based systems that facilitate the storage and retrieval of identity information in a hierarchical structure.
• X.500 Directories: Standards-based directory services that provide a global, distributed directory service used to manage identity information.
• Graph Databases: Systems that use graph structures to represent relationships and connections between identities and their attributes, enabling more complex querying and analysis.
• Proprietary Storage Systems: Vendor-specific solutions designed to store identity-related data, often with unique features tailored to particular use cases.

Examples

• Active Directory
• Google Cloud IAM