IAP Definition in Cybersecurity | Meaning and Solutions

Cyberattacks and data leaks are not going to stop any time soon, and traditional security models, which often rely on perimeter defenses and corporate VPNs, are often proven insufficient to provide robust protection. One emerging solution addressing these challenges is the Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP). In this article, we will explore IAP’s definition and meaning in both professional and layman's terms, its difference from traditional VPNs, and the top open-source platforms to enforce IAP. 

IAP Definition

IAP is an abbreviation of the identity-aware proxy, a security mechanism that controls access to applications and resources based on the identity of the user and the context of their request. In simpler terms, IAP software allows or disallows a user’s access to any confidential resources based on dynamic parameters such as 

• user roles, 

• device security posture, 

• IP address, and 

• geographic location.

IAP software continuously checks a user's identity and the context of the access request at every step, rather than just verifying the information once at the beginning. 

There are two main components of IAP.

1. Identity and context involve verifying users based on multiple factors, rather than relying on a single static IP address or encryption key.

2. An IAP software provides continuous verification, instead of checking the user’s identity at initial access.  

What does IAP stand for? 

In the security industry, IAP stands for Identity-Aware Proxy. It’s an advanced access management approach that serves as an alternative to corporate VPNs. An identity-aware proxy software sits between users and the resources they wish to access, ensuring that every request is authenticated, authorized, and encrypted before it reaches its destination. 

Does IAP align with the concept of zero-trust network access? (ZTNA)? 

Yes, an identity-aware proxy concept aligns with the principles of Zero Trust security, which assumes that threats can exist both inside and outside the network perimeter and therefore requires continuous verification of all access attempts.

Does IAP help with compliance and auditing?

Yes, an IAP solution often comes with built-in logging and auditing capabilities, helping organizations meet regulatory compliance requirements by providing detailed access records.

IAP Meaning in Layman’s Terms

Let’s say Bob lives in a big house (IT infrastructure) with many rooms (resources, apps, etc.) where each room has designated special items inside, like a room full of documents, a room with antiques, and a room full of his mom’s precious jewelry. 

In the past, Bob had a single key (like a VPN) that would allow his friends into the house; once Bob’s friends were inside his house, they could go into any room. 

But what if one of his friends accidentally entered a room they weren't supposed to? What if one of his friends dropped their keys in a mall and a thief got access to it? This could cause problems!

An Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP) is like the security officers who would stand at the door of every room in Bob’s house. Instead of allowing anyone to access the entire house with just one key, these security officers check who wants to enter each room and why. They have been trained to know exactly which rooms Bob has allowed his friends to enter and only let them into those specific rooms.

For example, if Bob has allowed Alice to access the antique room, the security officer (IAP) will let Alice into that room only and nowhere else. This way, Bob would be confident that all the important rooms in his house are safe and that his friends can only go where they’re supposed to.

Is IAP the Same as a Corporate VPN?

No. Identity-aware proxy (IAP) and corporate VPNs are not the same; rather, IAP serves as an alternative to traditional corporate VPNs. Here are the key differences between an IAP and a VPN. 

1. Security Model:

• Corporate VPNs: VPNs create a secure tunnel between a user's device and the corporate network. Once connected, the user typically has access to the entire network, which can expose the organization to risks if the user's device or credentials are compromised.

• Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP): IAP operates on the principle of Zero Trust, meaning no user or device is trusted by default, even if they are inside the network. IAP enforces access control based on the user's identity and the context of their request (e.g., location, device security posture). This approach limits access to only the specific applications and resources the user is authorized to access, reducing the attack surface.
  

2. Access Control:

• Corporate VPNs: Access is generally based on network-level permissions. Once connected, users can often access multiple resources within the corporate network, which may not always be necessary for their role.

• Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP): Access is based on identity and context. IAP ensures that users can only access the specific resources they are explicitly authorized for, based on their identity and other contextual factors. This granular control enhances security by preventing lateral movement within the network.

3. User Experience:

• Corporate VPNs: VPNs require users to connect to the corporate network before accessing resources. This can be cumbersome, especially for remote workers, and may introduce latency.

• Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP): IAP allows users to access resources directly over the internet without the need to establish a VPN connection. This simplifies the user experience and can improve performance by reducing the dependency on network routing through the corporate network.

4. Scalability:

• Corporate VPNs: Scaling VPNs can be challenging, especially as more users work remotely. VPNs can bottleneck productivity as workers rely on network infrastructure that must be robust enough to handle peak loads.

• Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP): IAP is more scalable because it leverages cloud infrastructure and modern identity management systems. It can easily accommodate a growing number of users and devices without requiring significant changes to network architecture.

Top Open-Source IAP Software Solutions

To implement IAP effectively, organizations can choose from several open-source software solutions. Below are three of the top tools available today.

1. Pomerium

Pomerium is a leading open-source identity-aware proxy that enables secure, context-aware access to applications and infrastructure. Pomerium is designed to help organizations implement Zero Trust principles by verifying user identity and context at every access request.

Key Features:

• Identity-Driven Access: Pomerium integrates with identity providers (IdPs) like Okta, Google, and Azure AD to enforce identity-based access control.

• Context-Aware Policies: Define access policies based on user identity, device posture, and other contextual factors.

• Seamless Integration: Pomerium can be deployed as a sidecar proxy or a standalone service, integrating easily with existing infrastructure.

Use Cases:

• Securing access to internal applications without the need for VPNs.

• Enforcing Zero Trust security principles across cloud and on-premises environments.

2. Google Cloud IAP

Google Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP) is a cloud-native solution that provides secure access to applications hosted on Google Cloud. It is tightly integrated with Google Cloud services, making it an excellent choice for organizations using Google’s ecosystem, however, it lacks extensibility for services outside of the Google ecosystem.

Key Features:

• Cloud-Native Security: Protects applications and resources hosted on Google Cloud by enforcing identity and context-based access controls.

• Easy Integration: Works seamlessly with Google Cloud services like Compute Engine, App Engine, and Kubernetes Engine.

• Granular Access Control: Define fine-grained access policies based on user identity and context.

Use Cases:

• Securing access to web applications and APIs hosted on Google Cloud.

• Implementing Zero Trust access controls for cloud-native applications.

3. Oauth2 Proxy

OAuth2 Proxy is an open-source reverse proxy that integrates with OAuth2 and OpenID Connect (OIDC) providers to secure applications. It acts as a gateway, enforcing authentication and authorization before allowing access to backend services.

Key Features:

• OAuth2 and OIDC Support: Works with popular identity providers like Google, GitHub, and Azure AD.

• Flexible Deployment: Can be deployed in various environments, including Kubernetes, Docker, and traditional servers.

• Customizable Authentication Flows: Supports custom authentication and authorization workflows, making it adaptable to different use cases.

Use Cases:

• Protecting web applications with OAuth2 or OIDC-based authentication.

• Enabling secure access to internal APIs and services.

Conclusion on IAP Definition and Meaning

Identity-aware proxy (IAP) dynamically enforces identity and context-aware access controls and offers continuous verification. IAP solutions like Pomerium, Google Cloud IAP, and OAuth2 Proxy provide a robust alternative to traditional VPNs, enhancing security while simplifying access management. An Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP) is a critical step toward implementing a zero-trust security model to handle the challenges of securing a distributed, cloud-centric environment.