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I have been working on quite a few Identity Access Management roles recently – engineers, governance specialists, architects – and there are a few patterns that keep coming up. Nothing shocking, just trends that give a sense of how the market is shaping up right now.
Role expectations are expanding
Identity Access Management isn’t just “IT’s problem” anymore. It’s firmly tied to security and business risk, especially with regulations such as the NIS2 Directive.
Job descriptions are reflecting that shift. It’s common to see roles touching multiple platforms or specialisms – Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, SailPoint, CyberArk – and sometimes expecting a mix of governance and engineering experience.
IAM professionals naturally have different strengths, so wider specs can slow the process down if expectations aren’t realistic.
Governance vs Engineering
One thing I notice often is that governance and engineering within IAM are still sometimes blended in ways that can confuse people. Governance and engineering within IAM are connected but different.
- Governance: audits, access reviews, policies, stakeholder management
- Engineering: integrations, scripting, automation, platform optimisation
Being clear about the focus helps everyone understand what the role involves and which skills are most relevant.
Infrastructure backgrounds transition well
Engineers with infrastructure experience often move into Identity Access Management. Knowledge of Active Directory and Azure translates well, particularly in cloud-first environments like Microsoft Entra ID.
The technical skills are only part of the picture. Exposure to governance and process makes the transition smoother. IAM isn’t just technical; it’s a mix of tech and process.
What Talent cares about
Strong IAM professionals ask practical questions:
- Who owns the function?
- How mature is the programme?
- Is this about building something new or maintaining existing processes?
- Which tools are already in place?
These aren’t “soft” questions. They shape whether a professional engages with a role and how smoothly the hiring process runs. Clarity here benefits both sides.
Looking at the bigger picture
Identity Access Management is becoming more visible and complex than ever. It touches infrastructure, security, compliance, and audit, which makes planning and hiring a bit more nuanced than in other areas.
Both organisations and talent are figuring out what this means in practice, and the market is gradually aligning with the skills and experience that make IAM functions effective.
Lorraine O’Leary is Business Lead of the Infrastructure & Security division of Barden’s talent advisory and recruitment firm. Connect with Lorraine on LinkedIn or via lorraine.oleary@barden.ie