{"id":21886,"date":"2018-10-05T13:23:46","date_gmt":"2018-10-05T19:23:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jumpcloud.com\/?page_id=21886"},"modified":"2024-08-14T11:47:11","modified_gmt":"2024-08-14T15:47:11","slug":"cloud-iam-for-msps-5-reasons","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/resources\/cloud-iam-for-msps-5-reasons","title":{"rendered":"Work Smarter, Not Harder: 5 Reasons Why MSPs Use Cloud IAM"},"content":{"rendered":"\n


Improving efficiency, delivering value, and maintaining security are top of mind for most Managed Service Providers (MSPs), and many are reevaluating how their identity and access management (IAM) offering fits in. Many MSPs are no longer interested in the time sinks and cumbersome workflows that accompany traditional on-prem identity management solutions. They\u2019re ready for this part of their environment to shift to the cloud, and so are their clients. It\u2019s a smart move since the cloud has proven to save organizations money and time, all the while increasing innovation and efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So let\u2019s take a look at 5 reasons why MSPs should use Cloud IAM<\/a>.<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Identity<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

5 Reasons to Use Cloud Identity Management<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Efficiency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While the motto \u201ctime is money\u201d hits home for just about any business, it\u2019s especially true for MSPs. Efficiency is key, and cloud identity management in particular is one tool MSPs can employ to cut down on wasted time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, cloud IAM completely eliminates the need for on-prem identity management hardware<\/a>, so right off the bat, MSPs have one less thing they need to babysit. Since there isn\u2019t any on-prem hardware, MSPs can remotely resolve most issues that arise. So, instead of using time to commute to client sites, MSPs can take that time and put it towards preventing issues from ever even occurring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, MSPs don\u2019t have to use their time for tasks related to the security, reliability, configuration, and maintenance of the IAM platform. In the spirit of the \u201cas-a-service\u201d model, that\u2019s the responsibility of the cloud identity provider<\/a>. This enables MSPs to focus more of their time on ensuring client environments operate smoothly, driving business value for their clients, and integrating the best technology to provide a complete solution for their customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, a modern, comprehensive cloud IAM tool can centralize the management of systems, applications, file storage, and networks regardless of where they are and what protocols and platforms are leveraged. Where efficiency gains are concerned, a centralized environment  means MSPs can manage their client environments from one pane of glass, and they no longer have to jump to and from solutions. Even if an MSP has one client that is an all Mac shop, and another that is a mix of Windows, Mac, and Linux, for example, the MSP will still be able to manage both of them using the same IAM solution. MSPs don\u2019t have to continually reorient themselves to a platform when switching between clients. Instead, all of the settings, all of the buttons, and all of the functionality remains the same. Efficiency is just one benefit of a centralized environment, so expect to read more about centralized IT here shortly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before moving on from this value, though, let\u2019s discuss the benefits clients experience. After all, the only thing more important to an MSP than bringing value to their business is, bringing value to their clients, and the efficiencies that come with cloud identity and access management extend to clients as well. For example, a client\u2019s end users don\u2019t have to jump through hoops to change their password. This can easily be taken care of by the end user themself. Additionally, when technical issues arise, MSPs can resolve them remotely, and therefore much more quickly compared to having to travel onsite to fix an issue. So any hurdles can be addressed quickly without much loss in productivity. And again, the right cloud IAM solution will support all IT resources regardless of platform, provider, protocol, and location. With respect to efficiency, this means a client\u2019s end users will only need one set of credentials to access all of their IT resources, creating a frictionless IAM workflow<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"VLAN<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

2. Resiliency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In addition to being efficient, MSPs must ensure their client\u2019s IT environment remains secure and highly available. In other words, that\u2019s why good MSPs aim for resilience at every potential \u201cpoint of failure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With an on-prem identity management solution<\/a>, ensuring resilience and redundancy is expensive. Authentication is a 100% uptime business, so it requires double the amount of hardware, software and networking gear, multiple internet connections, and more. This way, if one instance fails for some reason, another instance can take over. Not only can this be expensive, but it\u2019s not exactly foolproof either. For example, let\u2019s say an MSP client has multiple office locations, and one of them gets destroyed by a fire. If that client office held the on-prem data center the identity management hardware will go down with it, and work will come to a standstill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cloud IAM<\/a> doesn\u2019t require any on-prem hardware or software. Instead, a cloud IAM solution will leverage the redundant infrastructure of IaaS providers.  If a catastrophe occurs in one location, the cloud identity provider will still be available because it\u2019s spread across multiple zones and regions. A client\u2019s authentication service will always be available.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"VLAN<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

3. Centralization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The days of homogeneous IT environments are over, and forward-thinking cloud IAM solutions are built with that in mind. Today, most organizations are using a mix of Linux\u00ae\ufe0f<\/sup>, Mac\u00ae\ufe0f<\/sup>, and Windows\u00ae\ufe0f<\/sup> systems; cloud and local servers; LDAP and SAML<\/a> based applications; an array of data storage solutions including cloud options (Box\u2122 or Dropbox\u2122) and physical Samba-based file storage (NAS, Synology); wired and WiFi networks; and more. An effective cloud identity provider<\/a> supports all of these IT resources. For MSPs, this is critical because they are responsible for managing multiple IT environments\/solutions. So, if they can centralize every single one, they will see incredible gains in efficiency, stronger security, and an easier time responding to technical issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The value for clients, on the other hand, is that they don\u2019t have to change their environment to fit with the cloud IAM tool (or when working with an MSP). Whether they prefer G Suite\u2122 or Office 365\u2122, for example, they can use whatever is best for them because the cloud IAM solution and MSP can adapt to their environment. MSPs don\u2019t have to force their clients to switch tools or apps based on the fact that the MSP\u2019s preferred identity provider only supports one protocol or platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other implication is that this opens up the doors for what kinds of clients MSPs can support. With a cloud IAM tool that can support virtually all IT resources, MSPs can offer their services to almost any client because they know they\u2019ll be able to adapt their IT management tool stack to accommodate anything.<\/p>\n\n\n

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4. Scalability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cloud identity management also makes it easy to scale \u2013 and that\u2019s not just because of the lack of on-prem hardware. Some cloud IAM tools in particular offer powerful APIs, PowerShell \u201cinterfaces\u201d, group-based system management, and security policies<\/a> that make it a breeze to make changes and enforce security standards in bulk. This makes it easy to support clients whether they have 5 users, 500 users, or 5,000 users. Not only is it easy to support clients of all sizes, but as MSPs continue to grow their client base, the work doesn\u2019t get harder because of the efficiencies in place. This means MSPs can take on more clients without having to take on more staff.<\/p>\n\n\n

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5. Security<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The fastest way to go out of business as an MSP is to have a client become the victim of a data breach. Maintaining a reputation for security is essential. These days, user identities are the keys to a company\u2019s digital kingdom: a single set of credentials can do irrevocable damage in the wrong hands. Identity management is therefore central to an organization\u2019s overall security strategy. Though some clients may associate the cloud with security risks, MSPs know that cloud IAM offers distinct security advantages compared to its on-prem counterparts. For one, a cloud-based identity management<\/a> provider assists organizations with enforcing practical identity security measures such as implementing MFA<\/a> on systems and applications, utilizing complex passwords<\/a>, and requiring SSH keys<\/a> where applicable. Additionally, a cloud identity provider that integrates with virtually all of an organization\u2019s IT resources provides MSPs with precise control over every  client environment, from one pane of glass. Clients no longer have to stress over resources remaining outside their MSPs purview, and when an employee leaves, it\u2019s quick and easy to revoke their access<\/a> to company data. Furthermore, cloud identity and access management solutions offer tools that provide accurate, precise logs<\/a> of who accessed what, when, and where. This data makes it easy to monitor what\u2019s going on operationally, pass compliance audits, and remain aware of security incidents.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Why MSPs Should Use Cloud IAM with JumpCloud<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Scaling<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

First, JumpCloud offers a Multi-Tenant Portal<\/a> that creates a frictionless workflow for MSPs. In the same login session, they can easily move from one client\u2019s environment to the next, all with a few clicks. Second, JumpCloud is completely cloud-based. It doesn\u2019t require any on-prem hardware or software, so MSPs and their clients can shift completely to the cloud. Third, JumpCloud integrates with virtually all IT resources regardless of protocol, provider, platform, and location. This means MSPs can adapt JumpCloud to work in any client environment they encounter. Cloud IAM with JumpCloud is also easy to scale. In addition to the Multi-Tenant Portal, the PowerShell Module<\/a>, group-based system management<\/a>, and JumpCloud\u2019s APIs<\/a> help streamline an MSPs workflow. These tools make it quick and easy to implement changes across hundreds of users and systems. Next, along with powerful efficiency gains, JumpCloud enables MSPs to empower their clients with robust security measures. From MFA and password complexity management to remote system policy management, JumpCloud offers rich features that can help MSPs and their clients further lock down their environments. MSPs clearly gain tremendous value by incorporating JumpCloud\u2019s cloud IAM solution into their offering, but how does this value translate to their clients?.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How JumpCloud Provides Value for MSP Clients<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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