Managing user identities is essential for businesses today, and SailPoint offers two great solutions: IdentityIQ and IdentityNow. Both tools help streamline access management, but they serve different purposes. SailPoint IdentityIQ is perfect for organizations that need more control and customization with on-premises setups, while IdentityNow is a cloud-based solution for those seeking simplicity and quick deployment. In this blog, we’ll compare SailPoint IdentityNow vs IdentityIQ, highlighting their features and helping you choose the best fit for your business needs.

What is SailPoint IdentityIQ?

SailPoint IdentityIQ (IIQ) is a comprehensive on-premises identity and access management (IAM) solution designed for organizations with complex identity governance needs. It offers a unified approach to managing user identities, entitlements, and access across various systems and applications. IdentityIQ enables organizations to enforce security policies, ensure compliance, and streamline identity lifecycle processes.

Key Features of SailPoint IdentityIQ

Following are the main features that make IdentityIQ ideal for managing complex identity needs across large enterprises:

1. Compliance Management: Automates access certifications, policy enforcement, and audit reporting to maintain continuous compliance.

2. Lifecycle Management: Manages user provisioning and de-provisioning, ensuring that users have appropriate access throughout their tenure.

3. Password Management: Provides self-service password reset capabilities and enforces strong password policies across applications.

4. Risk Management: Identifies and mitigates access-related risks through role-based access control and policy enforcement.

5. Integration Capabilities: Offers a wide range of connectors and APIs to integrate with various systems and applications.

SailPoint IdentityIQ Components

Here, we break down the core components that power IdentityIQ’s identity governance system:

1. Compliance Manager

The Compliance Manager automates access certifications, policy administration, and audit reporting to enhance identity governance effectiveness.

Features:

• Maintains continuous compliance by reviewing user access.
• Enforces policies that prevent inappropriate access.
• Ensures audit readiness and demonstrates compliance.

2. Lifecycle Manager

The Lifecycle Manager handles access changes through user-friendly, self-service requests and lifecycle events for quick, automated access distribution.

Features:

• Empower users to request and manage access to resources.
• Automates user lifecycle management from onboarding to termination.
• Detects changes in a user’s role and automatically adjusts access.

3. Password Manager

The Password Manager provides an intuitive self-service interface for users to manage their passwords without the need for helpdesk calls.

Features:

• Enables users to manage and reset their own passwords.
• Enforces strong password policies across all applications.

4. File Access Manager

The File Access Manager introduces a new evolution in how enterprises protect access to files containing sensitive information.

Features:

• Secures sensitive data stored on-premises and in the cloud with a comprehensive identity governance strategy.
• Addresses access issues such as sensitive or overexposed data and implements the right access controls prior to migrating applications and data to the cloud.
• Identifies critical compliance gaps and implements preconfigured policies designed to address regulatory requirements.
• Empower owners to govern their data by granting and managing access through pre-defined corporate policies and identity context for improved business productivity.

Also Read: SailPoint IdentityIQ Training in Mumbai: Fees, and Training Duration.

What is SailPoint IdentityNow?

SailPoint IdentityNow is a cloud-based identity governance solution that offers a modern approach to managing user identities and access. It provides a centralized platform to secure access to sensitive data, control user access, and simplify the implementation of regulatory compliance. IdentityNow leverages AI and machine learning to automate identity processes and enhance security.

Key Features of SailPoint IdentityNow

This part highlights the cloud-first features that help IdentityNow deliver smart, scalable identity management:

1. Cloud-Native Architecture: Built on a multi-tenant microservices architecture, IdentityNow offers scalability, flexibility, and zero downtime.

2. Automated Lifecycle Management: Automates provisioning and de-provisioning of user access based on predefined policies and user attributes.

3. Access Certification: Simplifies user access reviews and ensures compliance with policies and regulations.

4. Single Sign-On (SSO): Allows users to access multiple applications with a single set of credentials, enhancing productivity.

5. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Simplifies access provision processes based on a user’s job role, ensuring appropriate access levels.

6. Risk Scoring Analytics: Provides administrators with user-based risk scores to make informed decisions about access provisioning.

SailPoint IdentityNow Components

IdentityNow is made up of different parts that help manage identity and access. This section will go over each important component:

1. Access Request

The Access Request service enables organizations to determine the access options available for users and how those options are reviewed, approved, or denied.

Features:

• Limits the risk of insider access through distributed security accountability.
• Improves productivity and growth through automated processes.
• Allows users to request access as per their specific needs on a granular level or with large sets of access in the form of roles.

2. Certifications

Certifications allow designated individuals, such as managers or system owners, to review users’ access to enterprise systems and data.

Features:

• Certifiers determine whether the access is appropriate for users or should be revoked.
• Improves an organization’s data security by reducing inappropriate access and satisfying audit and regulatory requirements.

3. Password Management

Password Management simplifies password administration and updates across IdentityNow account sources and applications.

Features:

• Enforces consistent and strong password requirements for different sources using password policies.
• Manages password changes shared by multiple direct connect sources and connected apps simultaneously using sync groups.
• Configures advanced options such as using a password dictionary and accessing Password Management using URLs.

4. Provisioning

Provisioning enables the creation, updating, and removal of user access across an organization and its applications.

Features:

• Enables a secure remote workforce with access to all essential applications.
• Provides quick onboarding for new users with the tools and access needed on day one.
• Automatically modifies access as users change roles in the organization.
• Validates access and approvals with detailed audit trails explaining how access was handled.
• Automates routine access changes and user lifecycle management to improve efficiency and reduce errors.

5. Separation of Duties

The Separation of Duties (SoD) service provides visibility into everyone’s access in an organization to easily track violations of set internal policies, generate reports of violations for remediation, and maintain a clear view of an organization’s access patterns.

Features:

• Provides an internal control to mitigate risk by correcting violations that surface.
• Visualizes an organization’s risk by leveraging governance data to see the riskiest access combinations.

Read More: SailPoint IdentityNow Consultant Salary Trends for 2025

Comparison of IdentityIQ and IdentityNow

The following table provides a detailed comparison between SailPoint IdentityIQ and SailPoint IdentityNow:

Conclusion

when comparing SailPoint IdentityNow vs IdentityIQ, it’s clear that both offer powerful solutions for identity governance but serve different needs. IdentityIQ is ideal for organizations needing extensive customization and control with on-premises deployment, while IdentityNow is perfect for those looking for a cloud-based, easy-to-implement solution. The choice between the two depends on your organization’s specific requirements, infrastructure, and preferences for cloud versus on-premises solutions.

For further learning, Orbus is offering courses on both SailPoint solutions, which can help deepen your expertise. Don’t miss out; explore the courses and take your skills to the next level today!