What changes after this module
Move from basic login thinking to access design, privilege boundaries, session control, and recovery paths that work in practice.
Outcome promise
- Explain how identity proof, access policy, and session handling fit together.
- Spot one IAM design weakness that increases lateral movement or misuse.
Core model
Use the diagram and terms below as the minimum model you should be able to explain after this module. If you cannot explain the model in plain language, pause here before you move on.
Key terms
- Least privilege
- Giving only the access needed for the job and no more.
- Session
- The period and context in which a system continues to trust an authenticated identity.
Check yourself
Answer the prompt before you reveal the check. If you cannot answer it in your own words, revisit the model and the terms once more.
Quick check
Why does over-broad access remain risky even when users authenticate with MFA?
Reveal the answer check
Because the identity may still have unnecessary reach, long-lived sessions, or weak recovery paths that let misuse spread.
Reflection and evidence
Keep the evidence small. One honest reflection and one small artefact is enough to show that the learning changed how you describe, check, or design something.
Reflection prompt
Think of one role in your organisation. Which permission would you check first for least-privilege drift?
Artefact
An IAM review note with one risky permission and one improvement.
Optional deeper practice
Use the workspace to walk through an access flow and mark where privilege, approval, or session control should change.
Move through the course
Keep the flow predictable. Stay with the stage sequence unless you have a clear reason to jump around.