What an IAM Career Really Looks Like: video thumbnailComing to the IAM Membership
#1CareerStart here · Understand the career

What an IAM Career Really Looks Like

See what IAM work involves and plan a realistic first step.

Stage
Start here
Level
Beginner
Format
Video lessons

About this video

This SkillsBuild video course explains what people in Identity and Access Management actually do day to day, from access requests to identity governance and privileged access. It walks through the main roles and how careers tend to progress, so you can choose a sensible starting point before you spend time on tools or certifications.

What you'll learn

  • What IAM is and why organisations treat identity as a security control
  • How access management, identity governance and privileged access differ
  • Typical tasks for IAM Analysts, Engineers, Architects and governance roles
  • How careers progress from beginner to analyst, specialist and engineer
  • Which platforms appear in job adverts, from Entra ID and Okta to SailPoint
  • Where your current IT, helpdesk or security background already fits
  • How to plan a first step using Learn, Lab, Certify, Build Projects, Apply

What's included

  • Plain-language walkthroughs of real IAM roles and responsibilities
  • Example day-to-day tasks for each stage of the roadmap
  • A short self-assessment to help you decide where to start
  • Pointers to the next videos in the membership for your chosen path

Who it's for

  • People new to tech who have heard of IAM and want to know more
  • Helpdesk, sysadmin and Microsoft 365 staff thinking about a move into identity
  • Cybersecurity learners deciding which area to focus on
  • Career changers who want a realistic picture before committing

By the end, you'll know what IAM roles involve and which first step makes sense for you.