Consulting Services

Identity Management Health Check Service

Definition (What it is and what it is not)?

An Identity Management HealthCheck is a review of an existing implementation. The service is designed to extract key information such as product configuration, customizations, unnecessary complexity, operational issues, coding practices, performance issues, stability issues, strategic gaps, inefficiencies and other implementation specific details. Once extracted, the information is digested, restructured and transformed into recommendations and remediation steps.

Typically, the HealthCheck is conducted over a two week period. When feasible, the HealthCheck will be completed in a one week period. The HealthCheck reviews existing Systems, Procedures and Policies. The HealthCheck is not intended to be an engagement to fix problems that the implementation may be experiencing, even though those problems will be reviewed during the course of the HealthCheck

Why do it? What are the benefits?

There are number of reasons to perform a HealthCheck. The first is that the HealthCheck helps ensure that some rapid returns can potentially be realized when an existing implementation is benchmarked against Best Practices. If customers are in the middle of making any changes to existing implementations, a HealthCheck is very advisable before making changes. Examples of changes before which a HealthCheck would make sense are when customers are looking to add users to an existing implementation or adding new applications and/or services to an existing delivery platform. Also, when Architectural decisions are being made, a HealthCheck will ensure that the Architectural changes that are being considered can coexist with the existing implementation.

What products are covered?

We will typically select one (or more) of the following products within the Identity Management HealthCheck Service for analysis during the time period:

• Directory Server/Service Product
• Single Sign On Product or Toolset
• Identity Management Product or Toolset
• Role or Compliance Management Product or Toolset

What is the output?

The output of the HealthCheck is typically a report that is produced and delivered to the customer. In addition, a PowerPoint presentation that summarizes the report findings can also be presented to the customer in person or over a WebEx type of session. The following major topics are usually included in all HeathCheck reports:

• Executive Summary
• Overview of the Service
• Review of environment and objectives
• Review of Architecture
• Customer concerns/issues
• Configuration Review
• Review of Operational Procedures
• Analysis
• Recommendations

Typically, the recommendations are broken down into short, medium and long term recommendations with the short term recommendations being the low hanging fruit that offer the biggest return for minimal investment.

How long will it take and at what cost(s)?

Typically, an Identity Management HealthCheck will be performed over a one (1) or two (2) week period depending on the size of the implementation. After the Qubera Identity Architect has spent a week on site at the customer site, the Qubera Architect returns to document the findings and make recommendations in a report and – if needed – in a PowerPoint format. The report or presentation is then presented to the customer over a one to two hour period with recommendations for next steps. These services are generally done at discounted rates. Contact Qubera today for assessment costs.

What are the steps involved?

The Qubera Identity Architect will conduct the following steps:

• An initial kick off conference call will be conducted and relevant systemic information requested
• In preparation the customer will gather information as identified in kick-off call
• An on-site evaluation of the identity management system will be conducted
• Access to key personnel for interviews and informational needs requested and granted
• Analysis of the identity management physical and logical environments
• Gathering of systemic information and key usage points
• Develop of key recommendations and construction of HealthCheck report
• Conduct Webex presentation and discussion to present findings

What will we need?

In order to ensure a successful HealthCheck it is important for the customer to have relevant documentation ready for the Qubera Identity Architect to use prior to the consultant getting on site. In addition, all necessary personnel need to be available for the Qubera Identity Architect to meet with when the Architect is on site. Access to any tickets that may have been opened and documentation relating to operations are also crucial in the performance of the HealthCheck in a timely manner.