IM leader Anthony Vidiano discusses in this interview, held in Washington DC, the growing challenges and opportunities in identity and access management, particularly within the healthcare industry. He explained that as both human and non-human identities (like AI agents and connected devices) multiply, managing permissions becomes exponentially more complex. Large organisations already handle hundreds of thousands of accounts with numerous entitlements and access types, and this growth intensifies the administrative burden.
Vidiano emphasised the potential of artificial intelligence to automate and streamline these processes. Currently, teams often manually compile and reconcile data from multiple systems. AI, he suggested, could automate data discovery, identify entitlements, and create understandable descriptions, making access management more transparent and efficient. However, he also cautioned that emerging agentic AI systems introduce new challenges, such as ensuring temporary, appropriate permissions for autonomous agents and preventing unintended actions.
Vidiano described the concept of an “identity fabric”, a layered ecosystem integrating identity governance, access management, and runtime controls. While many tools now connect via APIs, legacy systems often require manual or semi-automated data feeds. He highlighted progress toward models like zero trust and just-in-time access, though integration remains uneven.
Vidiano noted that the private sector tends to be more advanced in adopting new IAM technologies, though large enterprises face difficulties modernising legacy systems while maintaining business continuity.
