Identity Lifecycle Manager 2 Improves Workflow and Self-Service

A public third beta of the next version of Identity Lifecycle Manager (ILM), code-named ILM 2, was released in June 2008, with production release planned for the first quarter of 2009. ILM manages identity data and credentials (such as user names and passwords) across a variety of Microsoft and third-party applications and directories, helping organizations maintain security while giving users the access they need to do their jobs. ILM 2 could reduce IT involvement in identity management by improving user self-service and by simplifying automation of processes and policy enforcement. However, the product is quite complex and requires an x64 edition of Windows Server 2008.

ILM Combines Identity Management, Credentials

ILM is used to create and maintain user identity data, such as user names, passwords, group memberships, and addresses, across all applications and OS services that use the data. ILM also provides a front end to Windows Server Certificate Services for all digital certificate and smartcard management functions. The goal is to simplify maintenance of identity data and credentials, provide a unified view of all identity information, and reduce the probability of errors that can lock users out of systems or leave systems at risk after changes such as employee terminations and transfers.