Author: Bhaskar RV

How to Secure BYOD Devices in a Hybrid Workplace Using Akku Mobile Device Manager

Are your employees’ personal devices putting your organization’s data at risk? With hybrid work becoming the norm, people are accessing work apps from home, cafes, or even while traveling. BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) makes work more flexible and convenient, but it also comes with real security risks. Personal devices often lack the protections that company-managed devices have, leaving sensitive information exposed.

That’s where Mobile Device Management (MDM) comes in. It gives IT teams a way to keep all devices secure, enforce policies, and monitor activity in real time, all without slowing down employees. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what mobile device management is, why BYOD needs strong security, and how Akku Mobile Device Manager helps organizations protect their data while keeping work flowing smoothly.

What is Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Why Does It Matter?

Mobile Device Management, or MDM, is basically how IT teams keep track of and secure all the mobile devices that connect to a company’s network. Think smartphones, tablets, and laptops. In a hybrid workplace, where employees are working from home, coffee shops, or traveling, these devices are constantly accessing sensitive company data. That’s why MDM is so important.

At its simplest, MDM makes sure that every device follows the company’s security rules, no matter where it is or what operating system it uses. It gives IT teams a single view of all devices, so they can spot risks, fix problems, and enforce policies without having to touch each device physically.

Here is why it matters for modern businesses:

  • Protecting sensitive data

    Personal devices often don’t have the same security controls as company-issued devices. MDM makes sure emails, files, and apps stay safe.

  • Remote policy enforcement

    IT can push updates, require strong passwords, and enable multi-factor authentication for every device, all without disturbing the employee.

  • Reducing risks from lost or stolen devices

    If a device is lost, IT can lock or wipe it remotely, keeping company data out of the wrong hands.

  • Keeping up with compliance

    Regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO standards require visibility and control over data. MDM makes it much easier to show auditors that devices and data are secure.

  • Supporting hybrid work

    Employees can safely access company resources from anywhere without creating security gaps.

  • Making IT life easier

    MDM centralizes everything. Updates, monitoring, and troubleshooting happen in one place, freeing IT teams from repetitive tasks.

Understanding what is mobile device management is no longer optional. If your company is letting employees use their own devices for work, MDM is the only way to protect sensitive data and maintain compliance without slowing productivity.

With a solution like Akku Mobile Device Manager, IT teams get both security and flexibility. Employees get to use their devices as they like, while the company keeps its data safe and secure.

Why Does BYOD Need Strong Security in Hybrid Workplaces?

BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device, has become a cornerstone of modern workplaces. Letting employees use their personal devices for work brings clear advantages. It offers flexibility, reduces the need for expensive company-issued hardware, and often boosts employee satisfaction because people can work on devices they are comfortable with.

But this convenience comes with real security challenges. Personal devices are not always equipped with enterprise-grade security. They may run outdated software, lack proper encryption, or be used on unsecured networks. This makes them prime targets for cyberattacks and increases the chances of sensitive corporate data being exposed.

Hybrid workplaces make these challenges even more complex. Employees are connecting to company systems from home, cafes, airports, or while traveling. Each new network or device location is another potential point of vulnerability. Without a well-defined BYOD policy, IT teams struggle to keep track of all devices, enforce security standards, and ensure consistent protection across the organization.

Here are some of the risks enterprises face with BYOD:

  • Data leaks from lost or stolen devices: Personal devices can easily be misplaced or stolen, creating the risk of sensitive information falling into the wrong hands. 
  • Unauthorized access from unsecured networks: Public Wi-Fi networks or home networks without proper security can allow hackers to intercept corporate data. 
  • Compliance challenges: Regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO 27001 require strict control over data access and handling. BYOD makes demonstrating compliance more complicated. 
  • Difficulty enforcing updates and remote actions: Unlike company-issued devices, personal devices may not automatically receive security updates or patches, and IT may have limited ability to remotely wipe or lock compromised devices.

Given these risks, a strong mobile device management (MDM) solution is essential. It bridges the security gap by allowing IT teams to enforce security rules, monitor device compliance, and manage personal devices efficiently, even in a hybrid work environment. This ensures employees can work flexibly while corporate data remains protected and regulatory requirements are met.

How Does Akku Mobile Device Manager Bridge the Security Gap?

Akku Mobile Device Manager helps organizations implement secure BYOD policies while keeping employees productive. By centralizing device management, Akku allows IT teams to enforce security rules across all personal and corporate devices without compromising usability.

Key capabilities include:

  • Policy enforcement: Ensure devices comply with corporate security policies before accessing sensitive data 
  • Data protection: Secure corporate apps and data on personal devices through encryption and containerization 
  • Remote management: Enable IT teams to remotely lock, wipe, or troubleshoot devices when necessary 
  • Compliance monitoring: Track device compliance in real time and generate reports for audits

With Akku, enterprises can adopt a flexible BYOD strategy without exposing themselves to unnecessary security risks.

One Dashboard for Complete Mobile Device Management and Remote Control

Akku provides a single, intuitive dashboard that gives IT teams full control over all mobile devices. Through mobile device management remote control, administrators can:

  • Monitor device health and activity in real time 
  • Push software updates and security patches remotely 
  • Lock or wipe compromised devices instantly 
  • Manage apps, network access, and permissions from one place 

This centralized control reduces administrative overhead, strengthens security, and ensures employees can use their devices without friction.

Conclusion:

The hybrid workplace demands flexibility, and BYOD is a key part of that strategy. But personal devices come with risks that can compromise corporate data and compliance. By using Akku MDM, organizations can implement secure BYOD policies, enforce compliance, and maintain productivity.

If your enterprise is looking to secure personal devices while keeping employees connected and productive, Akku Mobile Device Manager offers a centralized, scalable, and robust solution for modern mobile device management.

Don’t let personal devices become a vulnerability in your hybrid workplace. With Akku Mobile Device Manager, you can enforce strong BYOD policies, protect sensitive data, and simplify mobile device management from a single dashboard. Get started with Akku now and secure every device in your organization effortlessly.

What Is Passwordless Authentication, and How Does It Work?

Passwords are a mess. People forget them, reuse them, and store them in risky ways. Even strong ones can get stolen. That’s why more and more companies are moving to passwordless authentication, where, instead of typing a password, users can log in with something faster and more secure – like a fingerprint, a face scan, or a one-time code.

In this blog, we’ll break down what passwordless authentication actually is, how it works, what options exist, and how you can start using it in your setup.


So, What Is Passwordless Authentication?

Passwordless authentication is a way to log in without needing a password. Instead, it uses things like your face, a hardware key, or a trusted device to validate your identity. The goal is to remove the most common point of failure: the password.

The Tech Behind It

Behind the scenes, passwordless systems use cryptographic keys and trusted devices. When you try to log in, the system checks something you have (like your phone) or something you are (like your fingerprint). If it all checks out, you’re in. There’s no need to store or compare passwords. That’s what makes passwordless login both simple and strong.

How Is It Different from Traditional Passwords or MFA?

Passwords rely on what you know. Passwordless relies on what you have or who you are. With regular MFA, you still need to enter a password first, then add a second step. Passwordless skips the password part entirely. That makes it both faster and more secure, and it opens the door to passwordless SSO (single sign-on) experiences that feel smooth from the start.

Types of Passwordless Authentication Factors You’re Probably Already Using

Even if your company hasn’t officially gone passwordless, your team is likely using some of these methods already.

Biometrics (Face, Fingerprint, Voice)

Biometrics are the most familiar passwordless method. When you unlock your phone with your face or thumbprint, that’s passwordless login in action. It’s quick, hard to fake, and doesn’t depend on your memory.

Passkeys (Backed by Apple, Google & Microsoft)

Passkeys are one of the most promising paths to passwordless authentication. They use cryptographic key pairs stored on your device and synced across your cloud accounts. No passwords to remember, reuse, or leak.

Major platforms like Apple, Google, and Microsoft are pushing passkeys hard. They’re leading the way in showing people how to log in without passwords, and keeping things secure at the same time.

Magic Links and Push Notifications

Magic links are links sent to your email. You click the link, and you’re logged in. Push notifications let you approve a login from your phone. Both are frictionless and remove the need to type in a password even once.

One-Time Passwords & QR Logins

One-time passwords (OTPs) sent via SMS or email still count as a form of passwordless login when used by themselves. QR codes, often used to log into desktop apps from mobile devices, are also gaining popularity.

While these methods aren’t as phishing-resistant as biometrics or passkeys, they’re easier to deploy and combine well in passwordless MFA setups.

Physical Tokens (for High-Security Environments)

Hardware tokens, like YubiKeys or smartcards, are used in industries where top-level security is required. They plug into your device and verify your identity without ever sending a password. These are core to many passwordless authentication solutions used in regulated industries.

Why Is Going Passwordless a Game Changer for Businesses?

Switching to passwordless login isn’t just about keeping up with trends. It’s about fixing real problems that plague every IT team.

Better Security (Say Goodbye to Phishing)

Most cyberattacks start with a stolen password. With passwordless authentication, there’s no password to steal. That eliminates phishing and reduces the risk of brute-force attacks.

True passwordless security also means credentials can’t be reused or shared. Identity is tied to something unique and verifiable.

Less Frustration for Everyone

Users hate passwords. They forget them, mistype them, or reset them too often. Passwordless login is faster, smoother, and more reliable.

For IT, that means fewer support tickets and better user adoption, especially when you roll out a passwordless authentication solution that works across devices and apps.

More Productivity, Fewer Interruptions

Every password reset is wasted time. Logging in without a password means fewer roadblocks, faster access to tools, and more time focused on work. With passwordless SSO, users don’t even realize how much smoother their day just became.

Easier Compliance

Passwordless authentication solutions log every login attempt and verify identity with high assurance. That makes audits easier and helps meet compliance standards for data security and access control.

How to Get Started with Passwordless in 2025

Making the switch to passwordless authentication doesn’t mean flipping a switch overnight. It’s a shift that needs thoughtful planning, a clear strategy, and a step-by-step rollout. Here’s how to get started in a way that makes sense for your team and infrastructure.

Step 1 – Take Stock of What You’re Using Now

Start by understanding your current login flows and where passwords are still the default. List out which systems use username and password, where MFA is already in place, and how your users access critical tools, whether through SSO, VPN, or directly.

This is also a good time to check if any systems already support passwordless login methods like biometrics, smartcards, or passkeys. Most modern platforms, especially cloud-based ones, already offer some form of passwordless authentication; you just may not be using it yet.

Doing this groundwork helps you map out where changes are needed and where passwordless SSO or MFA passwordless upgrades can slot in easily.

Step 2 – Choose the Right Factor(s)

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to passwordless authentication. The right mix depends on your users, devices, security requirements, and workflows.

  • For remote teams or BYOD setups, passkeys and push notifications work well. 
  • In high-security environments, physical security tokens or smartcards offer strong protection. 
  • For customer-facing platforms, magic links or OTP logins can reduce friction without compromising security. 

Many organizations choose a mix, for example, combining passwordless SSO with biometrics or device trust. That’s the beauty of a flexible passwordless authentication solution: you can adapt it to how your people actually work.

Step 3 – Start Small and Scale Up

Don’t roll out passwordless login to your entire workforce on day one. Instead, start with a pilot group,  maybe your IT team or a specific department.

Use that phase to test compatibility, gather feedback, and make tweaks. You’ll quickly learn which login methods your users find easy and what gaps still exist.

Once the pilot works well, you can expand to more users, systems, or offices. This phased approach helps build confidence in the new flow and avoids disruption.

Step 4 – Don’t Forget About Recovery Options

Even in a passwordless world, users lose devices, forget PINs, or switch phones. That’s why it’s important to build solid fallback options.

Recovery should still be secure – think identity verification, backup devices, or biometric fallback instead of just sending an email link.

The goal is to support users without slipping back into old habits like password resets. A well-designed recovery flow is key to building true passwordless security that’s both strong and user-friendly.

What to Watch Out For (and How to Handle It)?

Going passwordless can bring real security and usability benefits, but it’s not always smooth sailing. Here are a few challenges you might run into and how to deal with them.

Legacy Systems That Don’t Play Nice

Some older applications and infrastructure just weren’t built with passwordless login in mind. They expect a username and password and may not support passkeys, biometrics, or even modern MFA.

You don’t have to rip everything out at once. In many cases, you can layer passwordless authentication on top using tools like reverse proxies, identity brokers, or passwordless SSO platforms that bridge the gap.

Start with systems that support passwordless out of the box, and create a plan to phase out or modernize older systems over time. In the meantime, keep your passwords strong and protected, but start reducing how often users actually need to touch them.

Getting Everyone On Board

Even if passwordless login is simpler and faster, some users may still resist change, especially if they’re used to logging in the old way.

That’s why communication and training are key. Show them how the new login works, explain why it’s safer, and let them try it for themselves. In most cases, users love the change once they experience it.

Start with internal champions and early adopters. Their positive feedback can help win over the rest of your team.

Device Loss or Change

If a user loses the device that holds their passkey or biometric login, they need a way back in securely.

Good passwordless authentication solutions always include backup and recovery options. That might be a secondary device, a trusted contact, or a biometric fallback.

Make sure your users know what to do if they lose access, and test those workflows regularly. Security is only helpful if people can still get their job done.

What’s Next for Passwordless Authentication?

Passwordless isn’t just a trend. It’s the direction identity and access management is heading. Here’s what’s coming soon.

OS-Level Logins Without Passwords

Major operating systems are already moving toward passwordless authentication. Whether it’s macOS, Windows, or Android, users will soon be logging in with Face ID, fingerprint, or passkey by default, with no password prompts required.

This shift makes passwordless login feel completely natural, and it opens the door to more secure, frictionless experiences right from the moment the device boots up.

Everything Works Across Devices

Today’s passkeys and biometric systems often work well on one device. The future? A single identity that follows you across your phone, laptop, desktop, and tablet, without needing to reconfigure each one.

Cloud-synced credentials, strong device trust, and smarter federated identity systems will make passwordless SSO even more seamless. That means less re-authentication, fewer interruptions, and stronger security without the pain.

Smarter, Continuous Authentication

Authentication won’t just be a one-time event. Systems will continuously check if access should still be granted, based on signals like device posture, location, behavior, and more.

This continuous, adaptive model makes true passwordless security not only possible but smarter. Users stay logged in while still being monitored for risk, and IT gets better visibility without annoying pop-ups or prompts.

Ready to Go Passwordless? Let Akku Help

Passwords are fading out. They’re slow, insecure, and a hassle for everyone. Passwordless authentication is the smarter way forward – faster for users, stronger for security, and easier to manage.

At Akku, we help you make that move with the right passwordless authentication solution for your setup. Whether you need passwordless SSO, support for passkeys and biometrics, or a full transition plan from MFA to true passwordless security, we’re here to walk you through it.

Ready to move beyond passwords? Let’s build a login experience that’s secure, efficient, and designed for how your team actually works.

Differences Between Authentication and Authorization in Enterprise Security Systems

Authentication and Authorization, often referred to by their shorthand names – authn and authz – serve distinctly different purposes. Understanding the difference between them is crucial for designing robust access control systems, enforcing Zero Trust architecture, and ensuring compliance in high-risk environments.

This blog breaks down the fundamentals of authentication and authorization, explores how they work independently and together, and highlights their real-world applications in enterprise IT. So, what are authentication and authorization? Which happens first: authorization or authentication? Let’s dive into these questions and more.

Understanding Authentication and Authorization

What is Authentication?

Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or system. It answers one fundamental question: Are you who you say you are?

In practice, authentication involves credentials, like passwords, biometrics, OTPs, or cryptographic keys, used to confirm identity. It’s typically the first step in any access control process. Without authentication, no access decision can be trusted.

Examples include:

  • Entering a password to log into a laptop
  • Using fingerprint or facial recognition on a mobile device
  • Logging into a corporate application using SSO

What is Authorization?

Authorization comes after authentication and determines what resources or actions an authenticated user is allowed to access.

While authentication confirms identity, authorization confirms permissions. It defines roles, privileges, and access rights based on organizational policies.

Examples include:

  • A manager is permitted to access payroll records, while an intern cannot
  • A user is allowed to view a dashboard but not edit it
  • Admins have full access to the system, while standard users are restricted

In short, authentication proves who you are; authorization defines what you’re allowed to do.

Authn vs Authz: Key Differences Between Authentication and Authorization

1. Core Purpose and Functionality

  • Authentication: Verifies identity
  • Authorization: Grants or denies access rights

While authn and authz are closely linked, their core purposes are fundamentally different. One is about identity; the other, is about entitlement.

2. Workflow and Process Sequence

  • Authentication always happens first
  • Authorization only happens after successful authentication

Which happens first, authorization or authentication? The answer is that authentication is always first.

3. Types of Data Involved

  • Authentication uses identity data – usernames, passwords, tokens, biometrics
  • Authorization uses access control data – roles, permissions, group policies

Each process evaluates different layers of user information to make decisions.

4. Impact on User Experience

  • Authentication affects login experience – MFA prompts, password rules, SSO login time
  • Authorization affects access experience – what the user can see or do once logged in

Poor implementation of either can frustrate users or compromise security.

5. Operational Timing and Order

  • Authentication is a real-time gatekeeper at login
  • Authorization is ongoing and enforced with every resource or API request

Together, they ensure both the front door and every internal door are secure.

6. System and User Visibility

  • Authentication is often visible to users (e.g., login screens, 2FA)
  • Authorization is typically behind the scenes (e.g., access denied messages, greyed-out options)

This difference affects how security measures are perceived by users.

7. Interdependencies and Prerequisites

  • You cannot be authorized without first authenticating
  • But you can be authenticated without necessarily being authorized for anything beyond basic access

This interdependency is crucial for designing layered security systems.

8. Relevant Protocols and Industry Standards

  • Authentication protocols: SAML, OAuth 2.0 (authentication flows), OpenID Connect, LDAP, RADIUS
  • Authorization protocols: OAuth 2.0 (scopes and permissions), RBAC (Role-Based Access Control), ABAC (Attribute-Based Access Control)

Understanding protocol boundaries helps avoid configuration errors and security loopholes.

9. Practical Example Scenarios

Let’s bring it all together with a real-world example:

  • A user logs into their enterprise portal with their credentials → Authentication
  • The system checks their role and allows them to access only the HR dashboard, not Finance → Authorization

Another example:

  • A developer logs into GitHub → Authentication
  • They can push code only to repositories they’ve been given access to → Authorization


Despite their technical overlap, authentication and authorization play distinctly different roles in enterprise security. Confusing or conflating the two can lead to vulnerabilities, poor user experiences, and audit failures.

Understanding the difference between authentication and authorization is not just about semantics – it’s about building a security architecture that can scale with your business, adapt to modern threats, and maintain control in an increasingly complex digital environment.

Take the Next Step: Secure Your Organization with Akku

In a world where identities are the new security perimeter, your access control strategy must go beyond basic authentication and fragmented authorization rules.

Akku offers a unified, scalable, enterprise-grade platform to manage both authentication and authorization policies. From enforcing multi-factor authentication and adaptive access controls to defining fine-grained user permissions, Akku helps you take control where it matters most.

Explore how Akku can modernize your security architecture.

Contact us today!

A Customized Device-Based Access Control Solution for an Automotive Ancillary Major using Akku

Data security is a critical business priority today – this is especially true for businesses in industries such as manufacturing, where intellectual property as well as customer data are involved. 

This was the case for our client too – a leading player in the automotive ancillary manufacturing space. In this blog, we explore their specific challenge in safeguarding their digital assets, and how Akku was able to deliver a customized solution to address the client’s needs.

The Challenge

The client runs regular audits to assess their security posture, and to identify areas where their existing Google Workspace could itself provide adequate security measures in terms of access control. 

In one such audit, they identified a critical gap. Employees at the company were increasingly needing to work remotely, but the existing endpoint security solution was only capable of restricting access to the company’s network and disabling all remote access.

Additionally, it was necessary to permit access for any user from any approved company laptop or desktop – a challenge given that the conventional device-based restriction approach generally maps one user to one device.

Akku’s Innovative Approach

Our team at Akku addressed this challenge with a customized device-based restriction strategy. 

To allow any user to access applications and data from any of the company’s laptops or desktops, we decided to implement a many-to-many mapping system. This unique solution involved the development of a custom application, the Akku Agent, installed on every whitelisted device.

The Implementation

Through the client’s inventory system, all machine serial numbers were captured and uploaded to Akku. The login process was then revamped to require all users to authenticate via Akku only. 

When a user logs in, the Akku Agent now verifies the device’s serial number against the whitelisted devices in Akku, and allows access from any location, including outside the client’s network, as long as the request is made from an approved device.

This solution seamlessly addressed the core challenge of permitting remote user access from approved devices.

Tackling Mobile Access

The next hurdle was controlling mobile access. Based on the Google Workspace plans assigned to the company’s users, the Google Workspace Advanced MDM functionality addressed mobile access control for only a subset of the company’s users. 

For all other users, access from any mobile device remained unchecked. Additionally, inventorying all personal devices of employees was impractical.

Akku’s solution was to restrict user mobile access to a controlled number of manually approved devices per user. By default, users were not permitted mobile access. Upon necessity, they could contact the admin to get a device approved, ensuring secure and controlled mobile access. And in case of a change of device, such as on purchase of a new phone, the admin would be able to deactivate access to the old device and enable access to the new device.

The Outcome

By integrating Akku, the client not only overcame the limitations of their existing security system, but also enabled secure remote access for their employees with seamless device-based access control measures.

The solution addressed the unique challenges faced by our client through Akku’s flexibility and our team’s custom development and deployment solution.

Akku’s flexible and innovative IAM solutions can transform your organization’s security landscape too. Talk to us to know more today.

Blockchain Technology: A new chapter in Identity & Access Management

Why do you need an IAM? These tools help businesses manage their corporate identities and each employee’s access to different resources. Typically, these IAMs work based on a centralized database of user names and passwords. Single sign-on (SSO) works with this database to confirm identity and access permissions.

However, this database also becomes a centralized target for malicious actors. Whichever platform you’re using – your IAM solution, Active Directory, or any other identity provider – such a database is a tempting ‘honey pot’, a target for hackers.

 

Enter the Blockchain IAM

Blockchain-based IAM solutions will be able to authenticate identity without the use of passwords. Based on your organization’s DID (decentralized identifier), blockchain credentials will be recorded and tracked on the distributed, shared, immutable blockchain ledger. The public key will be stored on the blockchain servers, while the private key will be pushed to user.

In the case of Akku’s upcoming blockchain version, employees will need to enter their DID on an Akku app on their smartphone. A private key will then be pushed to their device, activating access to the app on that device, which can be used to enable login and access to all corporate assets.

Managing digital identities without a single point of vulnerability

Using the Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) model, digital identities can be managed in a distributed ledger system. This ensures that there’s no single point of vulnerability for hackers to attack. Your user credentials are secured with the tamper-proof distributed ledger.

Since blockchain-recorded credentials are recorded in a distributed ledger, they cannot be altered or impersonated. This guarantees integrity of identity during authentication, and you can be sure that your authenticated users are really who they say they are.

An additional layer of security is guaranteed through passwordless authentication.

Prevention of user impersonation through passwordless authentication

Since there are no passwords involved in the user authentication process, there is no risk of passwords being compromised or hacked. Our QR code-based passwordless authentication process is seamless, immediate and extremely secure. In addition, the authentication process also offers a seamless user experience.

As we move beyond passwords for authentication, you gain a number of benefits:

  • Security from easy-to-hack passwords, poor password policy compliance, common passwords, etc
  • Streamlined login process as they avoid password resets and other requests to IT support team
  • No risk of compromised passwords and user impersonation

The blockchain is the next big thing in cybersecurity, and Akku is excited to be at the forefront of this revolution. The private decentralized, immutable ledger feature of blockchain technology changes the IAM landscape considerably.

Talk to our team of experts about how to get started on your blockchain journey. Get in touch with us today.

The simpler way to manage Remote Employee Onboarding

When onboarding new employees, it’s important to keep the process as simple as possible. When all new user activity occurs in a single system, onboarding, especially remote onboarding, becomes seamless and effortless.

If your onboarding system is integrated with Akku, or if you use Akku itself as the onboarding system, this system becomes the first point of engagement for the user with the organization. Every step of the onboarding process is guided by this tool. Since it collects all the user data requested at the very beginning of the interaction with the new employee, Akku becomes the single source of truth for the entire career journey of the employee.

The onboarding process

Once the employee has been recruited, they are instructed to create an Akku account using their personal email address. A website link is then sent to the employee’s personal email id. Upon clicking on this link, the employee is led to a portal where they can begin onboarding by requesting their new corporate credentials.

Once they receive their new credentials, users log on to the same system using their corporate email address and password. On the same landing page, they see the list of guidelines to be followed, documents to be submitted with deadlines, date and location of reporting, how and what to do upon joining the organization, and more. All details are shared in a single window, often including a downloadable offer letter.

A single source of truth

Since the onboarding process for all employees is undertaken through a common digitized system, Akku becomes a ‘single source of truth’ for all information related to each employee. 

This makes onboarding seamless from the documentation perspective, as the new employee has to upload documents to a single location, and all departments involved can access them directly, as and when needed.

Similarly, since provisioning happens through Akku, access to all relevant software and other digital assets is also granted effortlessly through a single application. Not only is provisioning seamless, but authorized managers across departments can also view details pertaining to the new employee via Akku’s dashboards, as it is the single source of information about the new team member.

Remote onboarding 

This kind of single-window onboarding is extremely valuable to employees working remote or hybrid, as most of their interaction with the organization will be virtual. An efficient onboarding process makes a great first impression. It shows that as an employer, you consider employee support to be a tech priority.

Much of the Know Your Employee (KYE) documentation can (or sometimes, should) be completed before the employee actually joins the organization. Since the portal is open at any time and can be accessed from anywhere, remote document collection (in the form of soft copies) is seamless. This is especially important and useful for employees working remotely, as they may not be located in the same area as your office and could need to travel to visit the office to submit hard copies.

Similarly, since employees are also offered virtual orientation, knowledge transfer and access provisioning, remote onboarding becomes easier.

Benefits to remote employees

  1. Seamless documentation: As discussed earlier, since Akku is a single source of truth, all documentation takes place virtually through the portal itself.
  2. Seamless provisioning: As an Akku-based onboarding system of this kind is a single source of truth in the organization, employees do not have to go outside the system to upload data and documentation about themselves, nor to access relevant information, knowledge, or relevant assets.
  3. Seamless knowledge transfer and training: Akku is integrated with a communication system to push messages and communiques to users. Using this tool, orientation, knowledge transfer and initial training can take place through the system itself.
  4. Seamless reporting: The same tool provides user activity monitoring as well, for the duration of onboarding and orientation, since it tracks the progress of the new employee through the predefined process. Akku can directly intimate HR, reporting manager and head of department regarding the progress of the employee through the KYE process via the system dashboards.
  5. Seamless identity management: Since Akku is a full-fledged IAM, the new employee can directly be provisioned with access to all required software and other assets through Akku itself. At the same time, account credentials for single sign-on (SSO) can also be directly generated.

Automated, single-window onboarding for remote employees makes the process significantly more efficient, especially for large enterprises with a huge number of employees joining per day. Single-window reporting is also a feature that smaller businesses find extremely useful, as it makes user management much more efficient for small HR teams. 

Wondering how to make your onboarding process more efficient? Take it digital with Akku. Contact our team today to discuss how to get started.

When should you implement an IAM solution?

In which stage of the user or employee lifecycle should an IAM solution ideally be implemented? The answer is: Right at the beginning, during onboarding. When the IAM is implemented early, it becomes part of the organization’s culture and ethos.

Provisioning and onboarding

Access to necessary applications and data needs to be provisioned as soon as the employee is onboarded. When an IAM is not used, access may be provisioned improperly with the intent to keep track manually and perform proper provisioning later.

For enterprise-level organizations with a huge number of employees, this causes issues at a later stage, as you may not have a proper record of the rights provided to each individual. When access provisioning is done properly with an IAM, access privileges will be tracked automatically to keep track of what access is and is not given to each employee.

Redundant data capture is also a real problem as the same data is entered by the new employee in the HRMS and then in the IAM for provisioning. By using a single platform, the redundancy is eliminated.

Single-platform onboarding

Instead of onboarding through multiple tools such as an HRMS or ERP, you can complete onboarding through a single platform – an IAM, such as Akku. You can also integrate your HRMS with Akku’s REST API, if you prefer. When using Akku for onboarding, your employees can upload all required induction documents through the IAM dashboard itself. This could include proof of identity documents, experience certificates, etc. Akku also allows you to set deadlines and schedule reminders for each employee. 

Why choose Akku?

Many businesses choose to work with Active Directory to simplify onboarding. However, there are certain issues with AD, including non-seamless remote working and of course, the enterprise-level costing.

Additionally, in as much as 50-70 percent of cases, in our experience, employees are brought in via a different tool and then asked to provide details on IAM as well. Instead, you can streamline the process with Akku, a tool that allows single-point data capture for onboarding.

Transitioning from a legacy IAM to an interwoven Identity Fabric

With the emergence of cloud apps, identities need to be managed outside the traditional network. This has introduced new security concerns, on account of the many user identities and passwords that administrators have to manage.

IT security systems, which used to be bifurcated between securing what is “inside” the network and what’s “outside”, have been transformed into a consolidated portfolio of services that enable users to connect to anything and anyone, anywhere and at any time, while being secure, scalable and controlled.

It is therefore imperative for Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions to evolve continuously and seamlessly, to expedite the process of adapting to business in the digital era.

This is where the concept of the Identity Fabric comes in. It sews together a gradual, non-disruptive integration and migration of identity and access management.

As secure digital identities are at the core of any digital transformation, identity fabric is the way forward for a future-proof metamorphosis.

What is identity fabric?

Identity Fabric is a deployment approach that helps to continually and quickly update enterprise architectures for IAM. It is the infrastructure that enterprise IAMs use to enable access for all across multiple elements and domains, without redundant user administration.

Identity fabric is the interwoven linking of identity online, providing seamless and controlled access for everyone to every service as long as they are authorized. They are not a single technology, tool, or cloud service, but the digital identity backend that delivers all the identity services in a standardized manner and integrates with legacy IAM. It is a secure and adaptive system that manages identities and access rights.

Identity fabrics use APIs to integrate with different systems and deliver a comprehensive set of services from Directory Services to Identity Lifecycle Management, Access Management Services, to Access Governance.

The identity fabric architecture

Identity fabric architectures are designed to provide identity services that can be consumed by digital services in hybrid environments (spread across a mix of on-premises, cloud, serverless, and Internet of Things) through homogenized protocols.

Identity fabrics help to avoid siloed approaches, facilitating compliance to legal and regulatory requirements to manage personally identifiable information and corporate access to resources.

Several different but overlapping APIs make up the building blocks of the identity fabric, as it puts API capabilities at the center.

While it is recommended to design the identity fabric to use the least possible number of APIs and other components, there is likely to be a large number of components one needs to migrate as a large number of solutions fall under the IAM umbrella.

As they offer a multi-pronged approach to IAM, businesses need to gradually migrate and integrate legacy IAM services and existing apps into the identity fabric, while simultaneously building new digital services.

As companies continue to modernize identity and access management, multiple products must be integrated to deliver a holistic access management solution that works for cloud and on-premise needs. CloudNow offers tailored enterprise identity and access management solutions that work for you. Reach out to us for more information and to get started.

IAM as the Solution to Healthcare Sector Challenges

Healthcare organizations are unique in the volume and sensitivity of information that they hold. Reports say that healthcare is among the 5 most cyber-attacked industries over the past 5 years. 

The 2020 Breach Barometer published by Protenus reports that in 2019, more than 41 million patient records were breached, and around 40% of the respondents surveyed in Europe and the U.S. were concerned hackers would breach their digital data.

The importance of bolstering cloud security in such an environment is therefore vital, and deploying an Identity and Access Management (IAM) system can play an important role in this process.

Here is a look at some of the key challenges facing the healthcare sector, and how an IAM could help to overcome them.

#Challenge 1: Enabling easy but secure access

Very often, breaches of patient data occur due to a lack of caution on the part of patients themselves, with the use of easily compromised passwords. This applies equally to healthcare providers too, with the need to access multiple applications, and therefore, the need to memorize multiple passwords.

The IAM Solution: 

Enforcing a strong password policy can help ensure that patients and providers alike set strong passwords that are more difficult to breach. Additionally, by enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA), an additional layer of security is added above the password. And to make things easier for providers, bringing all applications onto a single platform to provide them with a single point of access means that just one set of credentials is all that they need to remember.

# Challenge 2: Compliance with regulations

Healthcare is a highly monitored industry and there are certain established regulations to follow. For instance, in the USA you have the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as well as newer industry-specific regulations like Electronic Prescribing for Controlled Substances (EPCS), for which compliance is non-negotiable.

These newer regulations call for adherence to certain prescribed standards of data security along with detailed audit capabilities.

The IAM Solution:

With an appropriate IAM solution, compliance requirements can be largely met through strong data encryption, implementing standards-compliant password policies across users, providing only the minimum necessary access to users, and comprehensive logging of every user action across applications and data points.

# Challenge 3: Driving digital transformation

COVID-19 has accelerated the speed of digital transformation, with the healthcare sector right at the center of the revolution. Telemedicine, Patient Access Management, and a host of other new requirements, each need control over a number of identities and access entitlements. 

The healthcare industry is under growing pressure to adapt to changing business models and technology innovation, as there is an ever-increasing need to protect access to sensitive data.

The IAM Solution:

With features like single sign-on, IAM offers an integrated approach to patient care, enforcing security and compliance capabilities to increase efficiency. In order to support the new digital-first world of healthcare, therefore, IAM has become a necessity rather than an add-on.

Clearly, IAM is the need of the hour in the healthcare industry. And Akku, the powerful and flexible enterprise cloud control solution created by CloudNow helps to facilitate identity and access management across your healthcare enterprise’s cloud environment. Talk to us today to discuss how Akku may be able to help with your compliance requirements.