Why Modern IGA Is Becoming a Priority for IT Leaders
Summary
Identity sits at the center of every enterprise system. As environments expand, the gaps tied to identity expand with them. Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) see this every day. Reviews take longer. Exceptions pile up. Access decisions slow down. The strain increases. This is why more leaders are taking a serious look at modern identity governance and administration (IGA) and what it means for their teams.
Modern IGA is not a feature update. It is a more stable way to manage identity and reduce the operational drag that legacy systems create.
Identity Work Has Outgrown Old Processes
Most teams manage identity with tools and workflows built for a smaller, simpler environment. That is no longer the case. Today’s reality looks like this:
- Large application counts
- More identity stores
- More exceptions to track
- Rising audit pressure
Legacy tools require heavy manual effort. They rely on checkpoints that slow teams down and leave room for errors that surface late in the process.
This is not a tooling issue; it is a structural issue. Identity work cannot scale when the system controlling it was not designed for the environment it supports.
Why Modern IGA Fits Today’s Enterprise
Modern IGA addresses the core problems, not just the symptoms. This is what matters most to enterprise leaders:
- Clarity across all access: Identity data spreads quickly. Modern IGA brings it into a unified view so teams can see real access patterns without digging through scattered systems.
- Reviews that move at the pace of the business: Slow certification cycles create avoidable risk. Modern IGA builds consistent review of motion with clear ownership and fewer surprises.
- Faster insight into access risk: One idea from the webinar captures this well: “Most access issues start small and grow quietly.” Modern IGA surfaces toxic combinations early so teams can act before problems spread.
- Less audit disruption: When identity stays organized year-round, audit cycles compress. Teams avoid the scramble that has become common in many organizations.
A Real Example of the Shift in Action
A global financial services team we worked with had a steady audit issue. Their identity data was spread across systems, and each review cycle took weeks of manual effort. After moving to a modern IGA approach, the cycle dropped to days. The team gained certainty because the data was consistent and the process was structured.
This is the type of operational gain that changes how teams work—not extra tools, not extra dashboards, but a steadier identity foundation.
What This Means for Your Organization
For enterprise IT leaders, the impact is direct:
- Fewer access delays
- Lower review overhead
- Stronger audit readiness
- Better alignment between IT and security
- Reduced risk tied to access growth
Identity is expanding whether teams are ready or not. Modern IGA gives organizations a way to manage this expansion without adding more strain to their staff.
Why Now Is the Right Time to Make the Shift
Modern IGA offers a path forward at a time when identity pressure continues to rise. The recording at the top of this page explains these ideas in a clear and practical way. It shows how modern IGA works in real environments and why leaders are making the change now instead of waiting for issues to compound.
If identity is a priority this year, this session will help you understand where the model fits and how it can reduce pressure on your teams.
Author
Pete Downing