Modern B2B Identity Management

Identity and Access Management (IAM) has evolved from an on-premises, perimeter-based model focused on business-to-employee (B2E) access control into a broader discipline that must serve business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C), and business-to-IoT (B2IoT) ecosystems. Federation and single sign-on expanded identity beyond a single organization, while the rise of IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS pushed IAM into hybrid environments where consistent controls and unified visibility across cloud and on-premises resources are essential. This shift drives the need for an “Identity Fabric” that standardizes identity services while integrating with legacy IAM.

B2B IAM introduces distinct requirements: multiple identity types, strong authentication, self-service, automation, and tiered delegated administration. Manual B2B onboarding is costly and high-friction, often relying on approvals conducted outside IAM systems, which reduces auditability and weakens visibility into risky or noncompliant access decisions. Lifecycle management becomes even more complex when organizations attempt to manage partner users directly, leading to identity mapping into internal HR or directory systems and increased risk if joiner/mover/leaver changes are not promptly reflected.

B2B success also depends on secure system integration using APIs and shared standards, while still supporting legacy protocols until modernization occurs. Supply-chain realities raise stakes further: tightened employee controls can shift attacker focus to third-party access, motivating approaches such as trusted organizational identity (including Legal Entity Identifiers), multi-tier delegation, accurate account maintenance, and scalable tenant isolation.

Ubisecure’s approach centers on establishing identity as trust, offering an identity platform deployable on-premises or in dedicated private cloud. Key differentiators include federation, broad standards support, configurable self-service workflows, extensive authentication methods, delegated authority (“e-power of attorney”), and organizational assurance via LEI-based capabilities such as “Right to Represent,” demonstrated in large-scale delegation deployments.

• IAM originated primarily in business-to-employee scenarios within closed, on-premises IT environments.
• Federation and single sign-on enabled authentication across multiple systems and across organizations.
• Cloud adoption introduced requirements for elasticity, flexibility, scalability, and cost reduction while increasing identity protection demands.
• B2B IAM commonly requires support for multiple identity types, user delegation at different levels, strong authentication, self-service, and automation.
• B2B onboarding can be bilateral, with each organization onboarding the other’s users in a partnership.
• Access approvals are often performed outside IAM systems, reducing visibility and limiting later analysis of risky access.
• Joiner/mover/leaver lifecycle signals are frequently supplied by HR systems such as databases or LDAP.
• Cybercriminals increasingly exploit third-party access, contributing to growth in supply-chain-related breaches.
• Ubisecure has offices in Finland, the UK, Sweden, and Germany and supports Nordic regional operations.
• The Finnish government’s Katso platform enabled representatives to access over 100 government applications and supported over 400,000 organizations and user IDs.

• “Identities are converging, IAM is converging. It is about enabling everyone to access every service in a controlled manner.”
• “IAM must support all types of identities for the shared value and supply chains of today’s businesses”
• “Not all IAM solutions provide the capabilities needed to successfully meet all of the B2B requirements”
• “There are multiple models of self-service and delegation, specifically around partners. You must support them all in a flexible manner.”
• “APIs are enabling organizations to create new business models, connect with partners and customers while providing a seamless experience by linking systems and services together”
• “Partner onboarding is easier than offboarding. Have a well-defined process at both the organization and the individual level to ensure that there are no unexpected risks.”
• “In order to build a solid foundation in which B2B partners, suppliers, and customers can interact, identity as the basis of trust must first be established.”
• “Ubisecure features strong federation capabilities, innovative standards support, and the ability to leverage some bank and national IDs.”
• “Traditional IAM is no longer enough for fulfilling the demands of the business-to-business scenarios of today. Shift the focus from using IAM for just protecting the business to an IAM that also supports the needs of your customers, suppliers, and other partner organizations too.”