🔐 IAM Security

Authentication Protocols

Understanding core authentication mechanisms and protocols.

• OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect
• SAML 2.0 and federation
• Kerberos and NTLM
• LDAP and Active Directory
• JWT and token-based authentication

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Implementing and securing multi-factor authentication systems.

• Time-based One-Time Passwords (TOTP)
• SMS and voice-based authentication
• Hardware tokens and smart cards
• Biometric authentication
• Adaptive authentication

Single Sign-On (SSO)

Designing and securing single sign-on implementations.

• Federated identity management
• Identity provider (IdP) configuration
• Service provider (SP) integration
• Cross-domain authentication
• SSO security considerations

Password Security

Implementing secure password policies and management.

• Password hashing algorithms
• Password policy enforcement
• Password managers and vaults
• Passwordless authentication
• Credential stuffing prevention

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Implementing and managing role-based access control systems.

• Role hierarchy design
• Permission inheritance
• Role mining and optimization
• Dynamic role assignment
• Role-based provisioning

Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)

Advanced access control using attributes and policies.

• Policy definition and management
• Attribute evaluation engines
• Context-aware access control
• Risk-based authorization
• Policy conflict resolution

Discretionary Access Control (DAC)

Understanding discretionary access control models.

• Access control lists (ACLs)
• User-managed permissions
• File system permissions
• Object ownership models
• DAC security implications

Mandatory Access Control (MAC)

Implementing mandatory access control systems.

• Security labels and classifications
• Bell-LaPadula model
• Biba integrity model
• Chinese Wall model
• MAC implementation challenges

Identity Provisioning

Automated identity creation and management processes.

• Just-in-time provisioning
• Automated user onboarding
• Provisioning workflows
• Identity synchronization
• Provisioning governance

Identity Governance

Governance frameworks for identity management.

• Access certification and attestation
• Segregation of duties (SoD)
• Identity analytics and reporting
• Compliance monitoring
• Risk assessment and management

Privileged Access Management (PAM)

Managing and securing privileged accounts and access.

• Privileged account discovery
• Password vaulting and rotation
• Session management and recording
• Just-in-time privileged access
• Privilege escalation monitoring

Identity De-provisioning

Secure identity termination and access removal.

• Automated de-provisioning workflows
• Access revocation procedures
• Data retention and deletion
• Offboarding security checks
• Orphaned account cleanup

AWS Identity Services

Securing identity and access in AWS environments.

• IAM roles and policies
• AWS Cognito integration
• Identity federation with AWS
• Cross-account access management
• AWS SSO configuration

Azure Active Directory

Microsoft Azure identity and access management.

• Azure AD B2B and B2C
• Conditional access policies
• Identity Protection
• Azure AD Privileged Identity Management
• Hybrid identity solutions

Google Cloud Identity

Google Cloud Platform identity services.

• Cloud Identity and Workspace
• Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP)
• Service accounts and keys
• Cloud IAM policies
• Organization policies

Multi-Cloud Identity

Managing identity across multiple cloud providers.

• Cross-cloud federation
• Identity brokering
• Centralized identity management
• Cloud access security brokers (CASB)
• Zero trust architectures

Windows Privilege Escalation

Understanding and defending against Windows privilege escalation.

• Token impersonation attacks
• Service account exploitation
• Registry privilege escalation
• DLL hijacking techniques
• Local privilege escalation

Linux Privilege Escalation

Linux privilege escalation techniques and defenses.

• SUID/SGID exploitation
• Kernel exploits and vulnerabilities
• Configuration file exploitation
• Path manipulation attacks
• Container escape techniques

Active Directory Attacks

Advanced Active Directory exploitation techniques.

• Kerberoasting and ASREPRoasting
• Golden Ticket and Silver Ticket attacks
• DCSync and domain controller attacks
• ACL-based privilege escalation
• Group Policy exploitation

IAM Bypass Techniques

Common IAM bypass and evasion techniques.

• JWT token manipulation
• OAuth flow vulnerabilities
• SAML assertion attacks
• Session fixation and hijacking
• API key and credential theft

Authentication Testing

Testing authentication mechanisms for vulnerabilities.

• Brute force and dictionary attacks
• Session management testing
• Password policy bypass
• Multi-factor authentication bypass
• Account lockout mechanisms

Authorization Testing

Testing access control and authorization mechanisms.

• Horizontal privilege escalation
• Vertical privilege escalation
• Direct object reference testing
• Function-level access control
• Business logic bypass

Identity Federation Testing

Testing federated identity implementations.

• SAML assertion manipulation
• OAuth flow security testing
• OpenID Connect vulnerabilities
• SSO implementation flaws
• Federation metadata attacks

API Security Testing

Testing identity and access in API environments.

• API key security assessment
• JWT token validation testing
• OAuth 2.0 flow testing
• Rate limiting bypass
• API endpoint authorization

Identity Analytics

Advanced analytics for identity and access patterns.

• User behavior analytics (UBA)
• Anomaly detection algorithms
• Risk scoring and profiling
• Access pattern analysis
• Identity correlation engines

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

Integrating IAM events with SIEM platforms.

• IAM event logging and correlation
• Real-time threat detection
• Incident response automation
• Compliance reporting
• Forensic analysis capabilities

Identity Threat Detection

Detecting and responding to identity-based threats.

• Credential stuffing detection
• Account takeover prevention
• Privilege abuse monitoring
• Insider threat detection
• Compromised account response

Compliance & Auditing

IAM compliance monitoring and auditing.

• Access review automation
• Compliance dashboard creation
• Audit trail management
• Regulatory reporting
• Policy violation tracking

Identity Management Platforms

• Enterprise: Microsoft Azure AD, Okta, Ping Identity, ForgeRock
• Open Source: Keycloak, Gluu, WSO2 Identity Server
• Cloud Native: AWS Cognito, Google Cloud Identity, Auth0
• Directory Services: Active Directory, OpenLDAP, 389 Directory Server

Privileged Access Management

• PAM Solutions: CyberArk, BeyondTrust, Thycotic, HashiCorp Vault
• Session Management: Apache Guacamole, Royal TS, Devolutions
• Password Management: 1Password, LastPass, Bitwarden
• Secret Management: HashiCorp Vault, AWS Secrets Manager

Security Testing Tools

• AD Testing: BloodHound, PowerView, Mimikatz, Impacket
• Web App Testing: Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, Postman
• API Testing: Postman, Insomnia, REST Client
• Network Testing: Nmap, Wireshark, Metasploit