What is a Web Access Manager (WAM)?
A Web Access Manager (WAM) is a type of software that helps organizations manage and secure access to their web-based applications. It does this by authenticating users and controlling their access to specific resources based on their role and permissions.
WAMs are commonly used in enterprise environments to manage access to applications such as business portals, customer portals, and internal systems. They can also be used to enforce compliance with security and data privacy regulations.
Popular WAM Solutions
There are a number of popular WAM solutions available on the market, including:
- Oracle Access Manager: A WAM solution from Oracle that offers a variety of authentication methods, including single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication, and header-based authentication. It also supports integrations with other Oracle products and third-party applications.
- CA SiteMinder: A WAM solution from CA Technologies that offers a range of features, including SSO, multi-factor authentication, and access control for web-based applications. It can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud.
- IBM Tivoli Access Manager: A WAM solution from IBM that offers a variety of authentication methods, including SSO and multi-factor authentication. It also supports integrations with other IBM products and third-party applications.
Why are WAM Solutions Considered Legacy and Outdated?
Despite their popularity in the past, WAM solutions are now considered legacy and outdated by many organizations. This is because newer technologies and approaches have emerged that offer more comprehensive and flexible solutions for managing and securing access to web-based applications.
One reason for this is that WAM solutions tend to be inflexible and difficult to customize. They often require complex configurations and integrations with other systems, which can be time-consuming and expensive to implement.
Another reason is that WAM solutions are not always well-suited to modern, cloud-based environments. Many of these solutions were developed before the widespread adoption of cloud computing and may not offer support for cloud-based applications or mobile devices.
Finally, WAM solutions are often seen as less secure than modern IAM platforms. This is because they may not offer advanced security features such as biometric authentication or risk-based access control.
Tools to Migrate from Legacy WAM Solutions
If you are looking to migrate from a legacy WAM solution to a modern identity as a service (IDaaS) platform like Azure AD or Okta, there are several tools that can help with the transition. One tool to consider is Datawiza Access Proxy, which offers a secure and flexible solution for managing access to web-based applications. It supports multiple authentication methods and can be easily integrated with your existing infrastructure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while WAM solutions such as Oracle Access Manager, CA SiteMinder, and IBM Tivoli Access Manager were once popular for managing and securing access to web-based applications, they are now considered legacy and outdated by many organizations. Modern identity as a service platforms like Azure AD and Okta, as well as tools like Datawiza Access Proxy, offer a more comprehensive and flexible solution for managing and securing access in today’s digital environment.
