why we need sailpoint when we have active directory and windows domain

SailPoint and traditional domain and directory services like Microsoft Active Directory (AD) or Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) serve related but distinct roles in managing identity and access within an organization. While domain and directory services provide a foundational layer for user and resource management within a network, SailPoint offers advanced identity governance and administration capabilities that extend beyond the basic functionalities of AD or LDAP. Here’s why an organization might need SailPoint even if it already has a domain and directory service:

Enhanced Identity Governance

• Comprehensive Identity Management: SailPoint provides a more holistic view of identities across various systems and applications, both on-premises and in the cloud. It not only manages users in a directory but also handles their access to all digital resources.
• Access Certification: SailPoint automates the process of certifying user access, helping organizations comply with internal policies and external regulations. It enables regular reviews of who has access to what and whether such access is appropriate, something that traditional directory services do not inherently provide.

Advanced Access Controls

• Fine-grained Access Management: SailPoint allows for the management of fine-grained access controls beyond the basic group memberships typically managed within AD. This includes managing access to applications and data that are not directly tied to the domain services.
• Role-based Access Control (RBAC): SailPoint supports RBAC and policy-based access control, enabling organizations to define roles and assign access rights based on those roles. This can simplify the management of user permissions, especially in large and complex environments.

Risk and Compliance Management

• Risk Detection and Management: SailPoint can analyze patterns of access and usage, identifying potential risks or anomalies (such as separation of duties violations or excessive permissions) and recommending remediation actions.
• Compliance Reporting: SailPoint offers robust reporting features designed to support compliance with various regulatory standards. Organizations can generate reports demonstrating adherence to access policies and regulations, an area where traditional directory services may fall short.

Automation and Self-service

• Automated Provisioning and De-provisioning: SailPoint can automate the process of granting and revoking access to resources as users join, move within, or leave the organization. While directory services can serve as the backbone for such operations, SailPoint adds a layer of policy enforcement and workflow around these changes.
• Self-service Access Requests: SailPoint enables a self-service model where users can request access to resources directly, with automated approval workflows. This reduces the administrative burden and improves the user experience.

Integration Across Diverse Environments

• Broad Integration: SailPoint is designed to work across a wide range of environments, including cloud services and applications that are not natively integrated with AD or LDAP. It provides a unified identity governance approach across all IT resources.