Digital identity’s importance is growing continuously. As organisations move more and more to cloud-based and distributed environments, identity management will become an increasingly central part of digital security. At the same time, the evolution of cyber threats is forcing organisations to rethink their approaches to identity management.
In this blog, we highlight the identity management trends that are shaping the digital security of businesses this year.
Integrations and Identity Fabric
Identity Fabric thinking has emerged as a key trend in identity management in recent years. Such solutions enable the coherent management of identities in distributed environments. They connect business processes, IAM tools, and user data through API interfaces and standardised protocols. This provides the basis for greater scalability and regulatory compliance. So it’s not just about technology, but also about the ability to connect different systems and processes into a seamless whole. This is particularly important in a market like Finland, where organisations often have multiple systems of different ages.
In a modern Identity Fabric architecture, integrations are implemented in a microservice-based and containerised manner. This allows for flexible deployment and upgrades as well as efficient scalability as needed. Of particular importance is the ability to integrate both cloud services and the organisation’s own systems into the same entity.
Key features of the integrations include:
- A comprehensive API layer that enables flexible use of identity services.
- Strong support for standards such as SAML, OAuth and OIDC.
- The ability to integrate legacy systems with modern IAM infrastructure.
- Flexible orchestration between different identity sources and services.
- A scalable architecture that supports both small and large numbers of users.
Identity Fabric does not require an immediate replacement of all systems. Instead, organisations can proceed in a phased approach, integrating new and old systems in an orderly manner. This allows for a sensible timing of investments and risk management.
New technologies: passwordless and artificial intelligence
The age of traditional passwords is coming to an end. Passwordless refers to a technology or method that authenticates users without the use of passwords. It is a broader concept of logging in and managing access using alternative authentication methods, such as:
- Biometrics, i.e. fingerprints, facial recognition, or voice recognition.
- One-time codes (OTP), which are sent, for example, by email or SMS.
- Push notifications, i.e. a request for approval sent to the user’s mobile device.
- Link login, i.e. a direct link sent to the user by email that does not require a password.
The use of these technologies will increase during 2025. These methods will not only improve security, but also the user experience, by eliminating the need to remember and manage passwords.
At the same time, AI will enhance identity management. It can help identify anomalous behaviours, automate decision making, and protect against threats such as deep-fake attacks, which are becoming increasingly common in the AI era.
Distributed identities and increased data protection awareness
Decentralised Identity Systems (DID) and blockchain-based solutions are fundamentally changing the way we manage digital identities. They give users greater control over their own data, in line with both GDPR requirements and the growth of general data protection awareness.
This development will become even more important in the future, especially in complex B2B and partner networks. Organisations can leverage distributed identities to build trust networks, where identity information can be shared securely and transparently. At the same time, users can be given real control over the use and sharing of their own data.
Key developments include:
- The proliferation of identity wallets.
- Self-sovereign identities (SSI), which are an integral part of the EU Digital Wallets concept.
- Decentralised trust networks.
- A federation of identities across organisational boundaries.
- Use of verified credentials.
This development also supports the growing need for scalable solutions for large numbers of users. Distributed systems enable secure management of identities without centralised bottlenecks or single points of vulnerability.
Organisations should monitor these developments closely and assess how decentralised identities can improve their operations and data protection. It is particularly important to ensure that identity management solutions support these new technologies and standards.
Regulatory requirements shape identity management
Identity management has become a key part of regulatory compliance. The EU’s NIS2 Directive sets new requirements for cybersecurity of critical infrastructure, and the Digital Services Act (DSA) brings additional obligations for digital service providers. In the financial sector, the PSD2 Directive has already changed the requirements for strong authentication, and future EU AI regulations will impact the use of AI for identity management.
The financial sector will also be affected by the Digital Operations Resilience Act (DORA) Regulations 2023, which will come into force in January 2025. These regulations are not just requirements, but will guide the move towards a more secure and transparent digital environment. At the same time, compliance has become an important competitive advantage for organisations looking to ensure the continuity of their digital services.
What does the future hold?
The future of identity management is therefore heavily reliant on integration, automation, and smart technology. The key is to strike a balance between three critical factors: security, usability, and cost-effectiveness.
The environment in which organisations operate is becoming increasingly complex. The rise of cloud computing, distributed working environments, and growing regulatory requirements require a new approach to identity management. Identity Fabric offers a practical solution.
At the same time, it is clear that identity management is no longer just a support function, but a strategic asset that:
- Enables the digitalisation of business.
- Improves the efficiency of the organisation.
- Improves data security.
- Supports organisational growth and adaptability
Successful identity management therefore continues to require a clear vision, a strong architecture, and the ability to implement change in an orderly way.
Trivore makes trends a reality
Trivore has been at the forefront of building modern identity management solutions for demanding organisations for years. We are familiar with the Identity Fabric approach – having implemented numerous complex IAM integrations, seamlessly bringing together old and new systems. Our microservice-based architecture and strong API expertise provide the flexibility that organisations need in a changing environment.
Do you also want to ensure that your organisation’s identity management meets the challenges of the future? Contact us to discuss how we can help your organisation build a sustainable foundation for digital growth.