Research Note: Idaptive, A Robust Identity & Access Management Solution
Company Background
Idaptive was formed in 2018 as a strategic spinoff from Centrify Corporation, headquartered in Santa Clara, California, with additional offices in Austin, Texas and Boston, Massachusetts. Led by Danny Kibel (CEO) and Ray Komar (VP of Products), the company was backed by private equity firm Thoma Bravo, which is recognized as one of the largest PE firms in the cybersecurity space. Idaptive's founding mission was to deliver next-generation identity and access management solutions focusing on a "Security First" approach with Zero Trust architecture principles. The company's core service and product set included its Next-Gen Access Platform with comprehensive single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), user behavior analytics, and endpoint management, serving over 2,000 customers globally. In May 2020, CyberArk acquired Idaptive for approximately $70 million, integrating its identity management capabilities into CyberArk's privileged access management portfolio to provide a comprehensive security offering. Following the acquisition, Idaptive's technology became foundational to CyberArk's Identity Security Platform, expanding from its initial focus to address broader workforce and customer identity challenges.
Market Overview
The Identity and Access Management (IAM) market, which encompasses Idaptive's offerings, has evolved into a critical cybersecurity segment focused on securing digital identities across enterprise environments. Core components of this market include single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), privileged access management (PAM), identity governance and administration (IGA), and customer identity and access management (CIAM) solutions. According to recent industry reports, the global IAM market is experiencing robust growth, with projections indicating expansion from approximately $13.4 billion in 2022 to over $34 billion by 2028, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 14-16%. Market growth is being driven by several factors, including accelerated digital transformation initiatives, increasing regulatory compliance requirements, and the rising frequency and sophistication of identity-based cyber attacks. Cloud-based IAM solutions are seeing particularly strong adoption, fueled by the shift to remote work models and hybrid cloud infrastructures that require secure access from anywhere. The Zero Trust security framework has become a dominant influence in the IAM market, with organizations increasingly implementing solutions that verify every user and device before granting access to resources. Competition in this market continues to intensify as vendors expand their capabilities through both organic development and strategic acquisitions, evidenced by CyberArk's acquisition of Idaptive to strengthen its identity security portfolio.
Services
Idaptive's core services revolve around its Next-Gen Access platform, which provides adaptive multi-factor authentication, single sign-on, and comprehensive identity lifecycle management for enterprises. The platform enables organizations to implement Zero Trust security frameworks by verifying user identities, validating devices, and intelligently regulating access to applications and resources based on contextual factors. Clients benefit from enhanced security posture through continuous risk assessment that automatically detects and responds to suspicious behavior patterns, substantially reducing the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access. The solution integrates seamlessly with existing enterprise systems, cloud applications, and on-premises infrastructure, providing a unified identity management experience across hybrid environments. Organizations using Idaptive report significant reductions in help desk costs through self-service password management and streamlined user provisioning processes. IT departments gain valuable visibility into user activities through comprehensive audit logs and analytics, supporting compliance requirements and security investigations. The platform's adaptive authentication capabilities balance security with user experience by adjusting authentication requirements based on risk factors rather than imposing blanket restrictions. Idaptive's value proposition centers on delivering enterprise-grade identity security that addresses modern threats while maintaining operational efficiency and positive user experiences across all digital touchpoints.
Strengths of Idaptive
Idaptive consistently receives praise for its comprehensive identity and access management capabilities, with PCMag awarding it 4/5 stars for its wide feature set and third-party integrations. The platform's Zero Trust security approach and adaptive multi-factor authentication are frequently highlighted as standout features that effectively protect against unauthorized access and data breaches. SelectHub reports an impressive 85% user satisfaction rating based on 180 reviews, indicating strong overall customer contentment with the solution. Idaptive's Next-Gen Access platform intelligently determines user authenticity and device security, governing enterprise resource access with immediate responses to risky behavior detection. The product's seamless integration capabilities with existing systems positions it competitively in the IAM market alongside established players like Okta and Azure AD. CyberArk's acquisition of Idaptive has enhanced the overall product offering, expanding capabilities beyond privileged access to include comprehensive workforce and customer identity management solutions.
Weaknesses of Idaptive
Several reviews mention Idaptive's Employee feedback indicates organizational issues following the spinoff from Centrify, with one review explicitly stating the "company in disarray" despite acknowledging "good people and a good product." The division of Centrify's holistic platform into two separate companies was criticized as "strange" by users who valued the previous integrated approach. Some reviewers noted implementation complexities that may require specialized expertise to fully leverage the platform's capabilities. The acquisition by CyberArk in 2020 has created uncertainty regarding long-term product direction and support, especially for organizations heavily invested in the standalone Idaptive solution. Industry analysis suggests that while the product excels in certain areas, its suitability may be limited for some industry-specific applications compared to more specialized competitors. The product's advanced features, while powerful, may present a steeper learning curve for teams without dedicated IAM specialists.
Client Voice
Idaptive's client experiences reflect a complex journey from technical implementation to strategic identity management transformation. Early adopters in technology and financial sectors encountered initial configuration challenges, noting the platform's sophisticated but complex architectural approach. Mid-market enterprises highlighted the solution's advanced contextual authentication capabilities while expressing concerns about implementation complexity. Technology leaders appreciated the platform's adaptive security features, particularly its risk-based authentication mechanisms. Enterprise architects recognized Idaptive's ability to manage complex, hybrid identity environments with unprecedented granularity. Chief Information Security Officers emphasized the platform's comprehensive approach to identity security and access management. Large enterprises praised the solution's ability to provide unified identity management across diverse technological ecosystems. The client narrative demonstrates a progressive understanding of Idaptive's strategic value in addressing modern identity management challenges.
Bottom Line
Idaptive offers a robust identity and access management solution with strong Zero Trust security capabilities and adaptive MFA, garnering positive user satisfaction ratings (85%). The acquisition by CyberArk has expanded its capabilities but introduced uncertainty about long-term product direction that CIOs should monitor. While the platform provides comprehensive identity solutions and third-party integrations, its complicated pricing structure and implementation complexities require careful planning and possibly specialized expertise. Employee reviews suggest some organizational challenges following the Centrify spinoff, though the core product quality remains consistently praised. The solution competes effectively against major IAM players like Okta and Azure AD, particularly for organizations prioritizing security and adaptive authentication capabilities. CIOs should weigh Idaptive's strong security features against potential implementation complexities and evaluate whether industry-specific requirements might be better addressed by specialist competitors. Current customers of either Centrify or standalone Idaptive should assess how CyberArk's integration efforts affect their existing implementations and future roadmap. Organizations seeking comprehensive identity management with advanced security features will find Idaptive compelling despite some pricing and implementation hurdles.
Comprehensive List of Idaptive Competitors
Okta (The Okta Identity Cloud)
Microsoft Azure Active Directory/Entra ID
Ping Identity
BeyondTrust
RapidIdentity
Duo Security (Cisco)
ForgeRock
OneLogin (One Identity)
CyberArk (now parent company)
SailPoint
IBM Security Verify
RSA SecurID
Auth0 (Okta)
Saviynt
SecureAuth
JumpCloud
Thales SafeNet Trusted Access
Oracle Identity Cloud Service
Entrust Identity as a Service
Centrify (now Delinea)
Broadcom (Symantec) VIP Access Manager
Optimal IdM
HID Global ActivID
Imprivata
Omada Identity
Fischer Identity
Simeio Solutions
Evidian (Atos)
PlainID
Ubisecure
Ilantus Technologies
Identity Automation
Avatier
Tools4ever
One Identity Manager
Micro Focus NetIQ
Hitachi ID Systems
CLEAR (Secure Identity Platform)
PortalGuard (BIO-key)
LastPass Enterprise
Google Cloud Identity
AWS IAM (Amazon Web Services Identity and Access Management)
ManageEngine ADManager Plus
Zoho Identity Management
Keeper Security
LoginRadius
Dashlane Business
Bitium (Google)
Cloudentity
Transmit Security
This comprehensive list includes established enterprise players, cloud-native solutions, specialized identity providers, and emerging IAM vendors that compete with Idaptive across various market segments and use cases.