#329 - Discovering Effective User Access Reviews with Stephen Washington

Identity at the Center

In this episode of the Identity at the Center podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim discuss the vital role of user access reviews, device identity, and the evolving landscape of Identity Access Management (IAM) with guest Stephen Washington, Head of IAM at Discover Financial. The conversation delves into regulatory compliance, the use of AI in IAM, and practical steps for improving user access certifications. They also explore the importance of managing service accounts, innovations in IGA, and the role of identity in modern cybersecurity frameworks. The episode wraps up on a lighter note with a chat about fitness challenges like Tough Mudder and personal cheese preferences for grilled cheese sandwiches.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Regulatory Compliance in Financial Services 01:54 Welcome to the Identity at the Center Podcast 02:07 Exploring Device Identity 03:19 The Role of Identity in Modern Security 06:44 Engaging with the IAM Community 10:31 Upcoming Conferences and Events 13:58 Interview with Stephen Washington 25:36 The Importance of User Access Reviews 33:55 Backend Changes in IGA Systems 35:04 The Concept of Identity Data Lake 36:37 AI and Identity Fatigue 37:22 Importance of Identity Hygiene 38:32 Challenges with Access Reviews 39:42 Regulatory Compliance and Policy Changes 41:06 Advice for Practitioners on Access Reviews 45:47 NYDFS and User Access Reviews 47:41 The Role of NIST Cybersecurity Framework 52:35 Training Auditors and Policy-Based Access Control 57:38 Fitness and Stress Relief 01:05:38 Grilled Cheese and Final Thoughts

Connect with Stephen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-washington-jr-5569b57/

Gartner IAM Summit - Code IDAC425 saves 425€: https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/emea/identity-access-management-uk

European Identity and Cloud Conference 2025 - Use code idac25mko for 25% off: https://www.kuppingercole.com/events/eic2025?ref=partneridac

Identiverse 2025 - Use code IDV25-IDAC25 for 25% off: https://identiverse.com/

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/

Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/

Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.com