As universities face increasing pressure to modernise their digital infrastructure, identity and access management (IAM) is rising to the top of strategic priorities. In our recent webinar, we explored how Microsoft Entra – particularly Entra ID Governance – can help higher education institutions securely manage user access, automate lifecycle processes, and retire legacy tools like Microsoft Identity Manager (MIM).
But as we shared with attendees, adopting a modern Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) solution isn’t just about replacing technology – it’s about transforming how identity is managed across an organisation. Here’s a recap of key insights from the session, and some practical guidance for universities beginning their Entra journey.
Start with Where You Are
One of the most important first steps in any IGA project is understanding your current state. For many universities, identity systems have evolved over years, layered with custom logic and dependencies – often understood by just a few key individuals.
Mapping this out is critical. What systems are being provisioned? What rules are in play? What integrations exist today? This process lays the foundation for defining a secure, scalable future state – and is where our team often begins engagement with clients.
Learning from the Field: Steps for Success
Drawing on both Gartner’s 2025 Peer Lessons Learned in IGA report and our own implementation experience, we highlighted five critical success factors for modernising identity governance:
- Engage stakeholders early – Bring Business, IT, and Security teams into the conversation from the beginning. Co-define governance requirements and ensure cross-department alignment.
- Run Proof of Concepts (PoCs) – Validate tools against real use cases. This helps surface gaps and ensures you’re selecting the right platform before committing to full-scale implementation.
- Audit your data and policies – Many organisations underestimate this step. Take time to examine your current policies and data quality to ensure your governance model reflects actual needs.
- Use standard configurations wherever possible – Custom doesn’t always mean better. Using supported and scalable configurations ensures faster deployments and easier support down the line.
- Prioritise change management – Technology alone doesn’t deliver success. Train your users, transfer knowledge, and ensure your teams are comfortable and confident post-deployment.
Collaborative Delivery: The Condatis Approach
At Condatis, we pride ourselves on working in partnership with our clients. That means running collaborative workshops early in the process to assess current systems, co-design future state models, and co-develop a roadmap broken down into manageable work packages.
We understand that identity systems sit at the intersection of IT, HR, security, and business operations. That’s why stakeholder engagement is built into every phase of our methodology – from technical workshops to governance meetings.
Agility is key. We embed ourselves into your team’s delivery rhythm, adjust as we go, and provide expert guidance aligned with Microsoft’s roadmap and your university’s evolving needs.
Moving Forward: Advice for Universities
Identity Governance is not an overnight fix – it’s a multi-year journey that touches the heart of your organisation’s digital operations. But done right, it delivers immense benefits in automation, security, compliance, and user experience.
Our advice?
- Start with a discovery phase.
- Involve stakeholders early.
- Don’t wait for perfection – pilot, learn, and iterate.
- Invest in change management as much as technology.
And most importantly: start now. Even small steps – like workshops or readiness assessments – can lay the groundwork for long-term success.
Complimentary Gartner Research for IGA Planning
As shared during the webinar, we’re offering complimentary access to Gartner’s ‘Peer Lessons Learned: IGA Implementation’ report. It’s full of real-world insights from organisations who’ve already walked this path.
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If you’re ready to start your journey – or just want to explore what’s possible – get in touch. We’re here to help.