Securely managing external identities in B2B contexts - such as partner networks and supply chains - requires specialized IAM strategies. Our "Identity First" methodology focuses on enabling a secure, efficient, and compliant (e.g., NIST, CIS, GDPR and NIS2) collaboration by aligning to known standards and best practices. This means treating identity not as a secondary concern but as a primary driver of access, integration, and collaboration in our ecosystems.