Framework

Identity Governance Maturity Model

A practical framework for understanding how identity governance matures from informal access administration into accountable, evidenced, risk-aware governance.

The Identity Governance Maturity Model helps organizations evaluate whether identity governance is operating as a basic access administration function or as a business-owned control system.

Maturity Stages

1. Informal: Access is handled reactively, ownership is unclear, and evidence is inconsistent.
2. Documented: Core lifecycle and review processes are written down, but operation may vary by system or team.
3. Accountable: Business and technical owners understand their responsibilities, and access decisions can be traced.
4. Measured: Review quality, remediation, exceptions, and lifecycle failures are tracked with useful metrics.
5. Governed: Identity controls are risk-aware, auditable, continuously improved, and connected to security governance.

This model is intended as a practical planning aid, not a certification standard.

Components

• Ownership and accountability
• Joiner, mover, and leaver lifecycle controls
• Access review quality
• Privileged and exception access governance
• Evidence and audit readiness
• Remediation tracking and continuous improvement