Layer 1: Identity Core

Identity is the foundation of enterprise trust.

It defines who can access systems, what permissions they have, and how verification, authorization, and auditing are performed. Unified identity rules are the prerequisite for secure and compliant operations. In complex environments, clear identity governance reduces risk, improves control, and lays the groundwork for architecture expansion.

Identity Capability Scope

Authentication

SSO, MFA, passkeys, and federation define system entry.

Authorization

RBAC, ABAC, and policy engines determine allowed actions and scope.

Directory

Unify users, groups, org structure, and principal relationships.

Identity Lifecycle

Cover joiner, mover, leaver, and entitlement recertification.

Machine Identity

Govern APIs, service accounts, tokens, and agent identities.

Unified Audit

Generate traceable evidence across auth and admin operations.

One-line Definition

Identity = rules. Architecture = how rules run. AI agents = new participants governed by those rules.

Next layer: architecture runs these rules

See how these identity rules are organized, deployed, and scaled across human and machine principals.