Identity and Access MANAGEMENT Platform IMplementation

What is it?

UNCG is transitioning to a modern Identity and Access Management (IAM) approach that improves how we manage digital access across campus. 

IAM ensures the right people have the right access to the right systems at the right time. 

UNCG has selected SailPoint as the University’s Identity Governance and Administration platform. Before implementation begins, the University is formalizing lifecycle policies and governance to guide how identity and access decisions are made 

This initiative includes two major efforts that will run in parallel: 

• Lifecycle Policy Redesign – Defining how undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, staff, affiliates, and sponsored users are onboarded, managed, and off boarded 
• IAM Governance Relaunch – Establishing clear ownership, decision-making authority, and accountability for identity and access decisions 

After these decisions are finalized, SailPoint will be implemented based on approved lifecycle and governance outcomes. 

Why are we doing it?

Identity decisions affect nearly every university function including academic continuity, research compliance, financial controls, institutional security, and user experience.  

Over time, lifecycle rules, role definitions, and access practices have evolved across systems and departments. In some cases: 

• Ownership of decisions has not been clearly defined 
• Similar populations are treated differently across systems 
• Exceptions are handled inconsistently 
• Technical teams have been left to interpret business rules 

IAM governance provides a structured forum for cross functional decision making. It ensures that: 

• Lifecycle stages and triggers are clearly defined 
• Authoritative data sources are identified and trusted 
• Role and affiliation definitions are consistent 
• Risk tolerance is understood and applied consistently 
• Decisions are documented and visible 

This work complements existing data governance, security, compliance, and ERP initiatives. It does not replace them. 

How Will I Be Impacted?

Most faculty, staff, and students will not see immediate changes. 

Over time, you may notice: 

• More consistent account activation when you join UNCG 
• Clearer, role-based access to systems 
• Defined access guardrails that help prevent over-provisioning 
• More timely removal of access when someone changes roles or leaves 
• Improved communication about access changes 

IAM Governance Structure 

IAM governance will follow a structured model that includes: 

• A core steering group that provides continuity, prioritization, and decision support 
• Focused subcommittees for specific lifecycle, policy, or access topics 

Governance defines direction and institutional priorities. Operational teams execute implementation. 

This separation ensures: 

• Business leaders retain decision authority 
• Technical teams implement approved outcomes 
• Tradeoffs are evaluated transparently 
• IAM decisions reflect institutional priorities rather than technical convenience 

When Will This Be Implemented? 

SailPoint will be implemented during the Winter break and will be functioning when campus returns for Spring 2027 semester.

What Do I Need to Do? 

At this time:

• No action is required for most campus users.