Choosing the Right Identity & Access Management Approach for SMBs

When you’re running IT and security for a small or mid-sized business, your identity and access management (IAM) strategy will make or break your operational efficiency, security posture, and compliance readiness.

For most SMBs, the starting point is obvious: you’re already on Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. These platforms give you MFA/2FA out of the box, act as your primary login for many SaaS tools, and—if you’ve invested in the right tier—offer basic SAML support. But what happens when you need to go beyond the basics?

The market offers several paths—each with strengths and trade-offs. Let’s break them down.

1. Google or Microsoft Alone

What it is:
Use your existing Google Workspace or Microsoft Entra ID as your only identity provider. MFA/2FA is baked in. SSO via OAuth or limited SAML handles authentication for most apps.

Pros:

• Low to no extra cost—already part of your productivity suite
• Simple setup for small teams
• MFA included, so you’re compliance-ready for many frameworks

Cons:

• Limited automated provisioning and deprovisioning
• No granular, per-app approval workflows
• Weak shadow IT visibility
• Lifecycle management often manual

Best For:
Small orgs (<50 employees) with light SaaS usage, light employee-churn, and minimal compliance burden.

Where YeshID Fits:
By layering YeshID on top of your Google or Microsoft IDP, you keep the simplicity while adding AI-driven automation, access reviews, shadow IT detection, and per-app workflows—without a costly SSO upgrade.

2. Google/Microsoft + MDM-Focused Solution (e.g., JumpCloud)

What it is:
Combine your IDP with an MDM-centric tool like JumpCloud to add device management and an optional directory service.

Why MDM Matters for Security & Compliance:

• Remote lock/wipe of lost or stolen devices
• Device posture checks (OS version, encryption, antivirus)
• Removal of local admin rights
• Enforcing disk encryption for SOC 2 / ISO 27001

Pros:

• Strong endpoint compliance controls
• Single vendor for MDM + directory
• Good for replacing on-prem Active Directory

Cons:

• SaaS lifecycle automation is still limited
• App provisioning is mostly SCIM/SAML-only—API/manual gaps remain
• No built-in access request workflows

Best For:
Orgs prioritizing endpoint security and compliance, especially those migrating away from AD.

Where YeshID Fits:
YeshID pairs with your MDM to handle the SaaS side of the equation—automating provisioning/deprovisioning, managing approvals, and surfacing shadow IT—while MDM keeps devices compliant.

3. IDP + IGA Provider (e.g., Lumos, Nudge, SailPoint, etc.)

What it is:
You keep your IDP (Google, Microsoft, or Okta) and add an Identity Governance & Administration (IGA) platform for access requests, reviews, and some provisioning.

Pros:

• Better user experience for requesting access
• Broad SAML coverage if paired with Okta or a similar IDP
• Strong compliance alignment for regulated industries

Cons:

• Expensive—both in licensing and maintenance
• Complex deployments that often require professional services
• Limited flexibility for OAuth-first or API-based apps without heavy admin work
• Not AI-native—manual upkeep scales poorly
  
  

Best For:
Enterprises with large budgets, heavy SAML usage, and dedicated IT staff.

Where YeshID Fits:
YeshID delivers the same governance outcomes—SSO, provisioning, approvals—at lower cost, with faster deployment, and AI-native automation that works across SAML, SCIM, API, and even manual steps.

4. YeshID + Google/Microsoft

What it is:
Pair your existing Google Workspace or Microsoft Entra ID with YeshID’s AI-native IAM platform. Use your preferred MDM for endpoints and let YeshID handle SaaS lifecycle management.

Pros:

• No SSO tax—use OAuth where possible, SAML only when needed
• Works with SCIM, API, and manual provisioning in a single workflow
• Fast deployment—connect IDP and start automating Day 1
• Compliance-friendly audit trails, access reviews, and shadow IT detection

Cons:

• Requires an existing IDP (Google/Microsoft)
  
  

Best For:
SMBs with mixed SaaS stacks, compliance requirements, and limited IT headcount who need automation without a full replatform.

Why It Wins:
YeshID combines the compliance-ready MFA/SSO you already have with AI-native orchestration, granular per-app workflows, and lifecycle automation—delivering a modern IAM experience without the legacy complexity or price tag.

For SMBs, IAM isn’t just about logging in—it’s about keeping your people productive, your data secure, and your compliance box checked without drowning in admin work. Whether you start with just Google or Microsoft, pair it with MDM, or layer in a governance tool, the goal is the same: unify identity, control access, and automate as much as possible. YeshID delivers that balance—pairing the MFA and SSO you already have with AI-native automation, per-app workflows, and full SaaS lifecycle visibility—so you get enterprise-grade IAM without enterprise-grade complexity or cost.