Directory services for identity and access management in cloud computing

Identity and Access Management (IAM) in cloud computing is a large domain that offers the ability to securely access cloud resources. In the cloud computing paradigm, an efficient IAM is significant for maintaining the Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability (CIA-triad) of the data that is stored in the cloud. As IAM is an essential security component of cloud computing, it cannot be overlooked and needs attention from the research community. This paper outlines the significance and proper understanding of directory services, which are at the center of an organization's IAM because they map user access to different applications and devices. The paper also discusses directory-as-a-service solution which lessens the challenges that organizations face with a directory. In Directory-as-a-service model, the focus is on the directory delivered as cloud service i.e. directory service is provided through the cloud instead of on premise directory solutions.