Article Introduction
​When most people think about cyber threats, they imagine malware, phishing emails or ransomware. While these threats are real, many breaches start with something simpler: a weakness in how people log in, what they can access and how those accounts are managed.
Identity and Access Management, often shortened to IAM, ensures the right people have the right level of access to the right resources, and no more. It is the lock on your digital doors. For many small and medium‑sized businesses, IAM is overlooked until something goes wrong, by which time reputational, financial or regulatory damage may already be done.
Below are six common IAM vulnerabilities that leave businesses exposed, along with practical steps to reduce risk.
Contents
- 1) Weak Or Reused Passwords Enable Credential Stuffing Attacks
- 2) Incomplete Multi‑Factor Authentication (MFA) Coverage Leaves Gaps
- 3) Excessive Permissions And Missing Least‑Privilege Reviews
- 4) Orphaned And Inactive Accounts Create Invisible Back Doors
- 5) Shadow IT And Ungoverned Cloud Apps Expose Sensitive Data
- 6) Missing Conditional Access And Risk‑Based Sign‑In Policies
- Give IAM The Place It Deserves
​1) Weak Or Reused Passwords Enable Credential Stuffing Attacks
Employees often reuse passwords across multiple accounts. If one site suffers a breach, attackers can try the same credentials against your systems. This credential stuffing technique is cheap, automated and effective.
What to do:
- Require strong, unique passwords and enforce length, complexity and rotation policies.
- Provide a company‑approved password manager to simplify secure behaviour.
- Combine passwords with multi‑factor authentication for a second layer of defence.
2) Incomplete Multi‑Factor Authentication (MFA) Coverage Leaves Gaps
MFA is one of the simplest ways to block unauthorised access, yet it is still applied only to certain users in many organisations. That leaves the majority of staff protected by a single factor.
What to do:
- Enforce MFA for all users, not just administrators or remote workers.
- Prefer phishing‑resistant methods where possible, such as security keys or authenticator apps.
- Review MFA exceptions regularly and remove any that are no longer justified.
3) Excessive Permissions And Missing Least‑Privilege Reviews
​Users are frequently granted broader access than needed, sometimes temporarily, then left unreviewed. Over‑privileged accounts are a golden ticket for attackers.
What to do:
- Adopt the principle of least privilege: grant only the access required for each role.
- Implement role‑based access control and use groups rather than direct permissions.
- Conduct quarterly access reviews to right‑size permissions and revoke admin rights that are no longer needed.
4) Orphaned And Inactive Accounts Create Invisible Back Doors
Departed employees, contractors and test accounts often remain active. These orphaned identities sit unnoticed and offer a low‑friction path for attackers.
What to do:
- Automate joiner‑mover‑leaver processes, including timely deprovisioning across all systems.
- Run periodic audits to find inactive accounts, shared mailboxes and legacy credentials.
- Require ownership and review for all service accounts.
5) Shadow IT And Ungoverned Cloud Apps Expose Sensitive Data
It is easier than ever to sign up for cloud tools without involving IT. While staff are trying to get work done, sensitive information can end up in unmonitored apps outside your governance.
What to do:
- Catalogue approved SaaS applications and publish clear guidance for staff.
- Use cloud access security controls to discover and monitor unsanctioned apps.
- Provide secure, convenient alternatives so teams do not need to go elsewhere.
6) Missing Conditional Access And Risk‑Based Sign‑In Policies
​Not every log‑in attempt should be treated the same. If a user who usually works in London logs in from overseas at 2 a.m., that context should trigger extra checks.
What to do:
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Implement conditional access policies based on location, device health and risk signals.
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Block legacy authentication, enforce compliant devices and require MFA for high‑risk sign‑ins.
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Review sign‑in logs and adjust policies to reduce false positives while staying secure.
Give IAM The Place It Deserves
Identity and Access Management is not flashy, but it is foundational. Weak passwords, patchy MFA, forgotten accounts and overlooked cloud services continue to cost businesses more than a single lost laptop ever could. For SMEs, a consistent IAM approach with clear policies and regular reviews delivers outsized protection.
A thoughtful IAM programme reduces risk, safeguards your reputation and saves money through fewer breaches and less disruption. If any of these six issues sound familiar, now is the time to act.
Ready to strengthen your IAM?
Extech Cloud helps UK organisations modernise identity, implement MFA and conditional access, and automate joiner‑mover‑leaver processes in Microsoft 365 and Azure.
Book a consultation with our expert team to start reducing risk today.
