When you hear the phrase IAM , your mind probably jumps to complicated IT systems, endless passwords, and corporate training sessions. But IAM is not locked inside slideshows and tech manuals. In fact, it’s all around us—in everyday life. That’s why we created IAM For Beginners, to simplify the IAM learning.
Let’s look at one of the best examples: A small dairy shop in your neighborhood.
Let’s step into Sharma Ji’s dairy and discover how he unknowingly runs an IAM masterclass every single day.
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Authentication: Simple but Effective
It’s a busy morning at the dairy shop, and the rush has already begun. As regular customers walk in, Sharma Ji doesn’t need to ask a single question—he instantly knows who needs a liter of milk and who always comes back on weekends asking for paneer. In other words, this instant recognition is authentication—the identification of familiar identities.
However, when a new customer arrives, the process is different. Before handing over the milk, Sharma Ji carefully notes their name and phone number in his ledger. This step, of course, represents account creation. Furthermore, when a regular customer presents a loyalty card to claim their discount, Sharma Ji doesn’t just take it at face value—he verifies it before applying the benefit. This additional layer of confirmation is nothing but multi-factor authentication in action, unfolding right there in the simplest of settings.
Authorization: Clear Boundaries
Inside the dairy, rules are crystal clear:
- Customers stay at the counter.
- Helpers can step into the cold storage.
- The supplier can deliver milk but never touch the cash drawer.
This is Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). Everyone gets just enough access to do their job—no more, no less.
Identity Lifecycle: Joiners, Movers, Leavers
When a new helper joins, Sharma Ji hands over the storage keys and adds him to the staff WhatsApp group.
If the same helper is promoted to cashier, the storage key is taken back, and he is now trusted with the cash box.
And when he leaves? Sharma Ji collects the keys and removes him from the WhatsApp group instantly. That’s Joiner–Mover–Leaver lifecycle done right.
Least Privilege: Nothing Extra
The supplier has been coming for years, but he still doesn’t have the locker key. Why? Because Sharma Ji knows the golden rule: access should only be given for what’s necessary. That’s the least privilege principle in action.
Single Sign-On: One Card, Many Services
That loyalty card customers use is more powerful than it looks. It offers discounts, free home delivery, and even faster service during rush hours.
One card. Multiple services. That’s Single Sign-On (SSO)—simplified, convenient, and trusted.
Privileged Access Management: The Locker
The most sensitive part of the shop is the locker. Who has the key? Only Sharma Ji. Not the cashier, not the staff, not even family.
That’s Privileged Access Management (PAM)—critical accounts protected by strict control.
Audit and Compliance: End of Day Check
Every evening, Sharma Ji balances the books:
- How much milk sold?
- How much cash collected?
- Did the supplier deliver the full quantity?
If paneer is missing, it’s usually his kids sneaking a snack. That’s a daily audit and compliance report—simple but effective.
Bigger Picture
Sharma Ji doesn’t know the technical terms. But his practices mirror the IAM rules that big companies pay millions to implement. The truth is, IAM for Beginners is not about technology first. It’s about discipline, trust, and control.
So, the next time you buy milk, remember—you just walked into an IAM case study. And maybe, Sharma Ji deserves a new title: Chief Identity Officer of the Dairy Shop.
Final Thoughts
IAM is everywhere, not just in the digital world. By looking at daily life through this lens, beginners can grasp IAM faster and more naturally than any textbook could explain.
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