Identity-Aware Proxy: Secure access for cloud & on-premises applications

As businesses increasingly adopt cloud applications across platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure, ensuring secure access is more crucial than ever.

Traditional network-based security methods no longer cut it in this hybrid cloud era. Enter Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP)—a solution designed to manage access based on user identity, no matter the environment. Whether it’s Google Cloud, AWS, or on-premises systems, IAP secures applications by verifying the identity and permissions of users before granting access.

In this blog, we’ll explain how IAP works, its key features, and the security benefits it brings across various cloud platforms.

What is Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP)?

An Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP) is a security tool that controls access to applications and resources based on a user's identity. Acting as a gatekeeper, IAP verifies a user’s identity before granting access to applications or services, ensuring only authenticated and authorized users can interact with sensitive resources.

Here’s how IAP operates and the components that make it essential for modern security:

1. Authentication: IAP checks the user’s identity using an authentication method like OAuth, SAML, or OpenID Connect. Users must log in with credentials (e.g., usernames, passwords, or multi-factor authentication).
   
   
2. Authorization: After confirming the user’s identity, IAP checks their permissions to ensure they have the right access level for the application or resource.
   
   
3. Proxying: IAP functions as an intermediary between the user and the application. The user doesn’t directly access the app; instead, they pass through IAP, which ensures the request is legitimate and allowed.
   
   
4. Granular Access Control: IAP allows administrators to implement fine-grained access policies. Access can be controlled based on identity, group membership, device type, location, and other attributes—reinforcing the principle of least privilege.

Key features of Identity-Aware Proxy

Across Platforms Cloud IAP isn’t just for Google Cloud; it works across AWS, Microsoft Azure, and on-premises environments, giving you flexibility wherever your applications reside.

Let’s explore its key features in securing cloud and hybrid infrastructures.

1. Authentication: verify every user

Authentication is the cornerstone of IAP. It verifies the identity of users by requiring them to log in with credentials through trusted systems such as OAuth, SAML, or OpenID Connect. Whether you’re using Google Cloud, AWS, or Azure, IAP can integrate with your identity provider to ensure that only authenticated users gain access to your applications.

2. Authorization: control what they can do

Authorization checks that authenticated users have the right level of access. Through Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), administrators can define roles and permissions, ensuring that users only interact with the resources necessary for their roles. This granular control minimizes the risk of unauthorized data access or changes to your applications.

3. Session management: keep access fresh

IAP includes session timeouts, automatically logging users out after periods of inactivity. This prevents abandoned sessions from being hijacked. It’s an extra safeguard that ensures access is always tied to active, authenticated users.

4. Two-factor authentication (2FA): strengthen security

Two-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security. IAP supports Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) to require users to validate their identity using something they know (a password) and something they have (like a mobile device code). Whether using AWS, Azure, or GCP, this extra step makes it harder for attackers to access your resources, even if credentials are compromised.

5. Application protection: secure cloud and on-premises apps

IAP is versatile, offering protection for cloud-based apps across platforms like Google Cloud, AWS, and Microsoft Azure, as well as on-premises systems. IAP ensures consistent security, regardless of whether your applications run on App Engine, Azure VMs, AWS EC2, or even legacy on-premises systems through reverse proxy setups.

6. Request interception and modification: verify every request

One of IAP’s core functions is request interception. It inspects and authenticates every user request, modifying request headers to include the authenticated user’s details. This means every interaction with your application is vetted, adding another layer of control and transparency.

7. Zero Trust security model: continuous verification

IAP supports the Zero Trust security model, which assumes that no user or system is inherently trustworthy. Instead of automatically trusting users based on network location, IAP ensures that every access attempt is verified in real time, enforcing security policies across hybrid environments. This shifts security from network-based perimeters to identity-based, a key principle of modern cloud security.

The benefits of using Identity-Aware Proxy

Implementing IAP provides numerous benefits across cloud platforms, ensuring that your security strategy remains robust, flexible, and manageable.

1. Zero Trust security: never trust, always verify

IAP fully supports a Zero Trust security model, where no user is automatically trusted, not even those within your internal network. Every user interaction is verified, ensuring that even once inside your system, users can only access what they’re explicitly authorized to see.

2. Cloud and on-premises compatibility

IAP works across cloud-based applications on Google Cloud, AWS, and Azure, but also extends protection to on-premises environments. Whether you’re fully cloud-native, in a hybrid setup, or still running some apps in traditional data centers, IAP secures them all. This makes it a powerful solution for businesses with diverse infrastructure needs.

3. Audit and logging for compliance

IAP provides detailed logging and audit trails, recording every access attempt and interaction with applications. This not only enhances security monitoring but also assists with compliance efforts, allowing you to meet regulatory requirements by offering clear records of who accessed what, when, and how.

4. Simplified management: central control

Managing security policies through IAP is straightforward, especially when using a cloud provider’s console, like Google Cloud Platform, AWS IAM, or Azure Active Directory. Centralizing security configurations makes it easy to enforce policies and ensures consistency across all applications.

5. Cost efficiency

Many IAP services are offered at no additional cost by providers like Google Cloud. This eliminates the need for expensive third-party security tools and helps businesses achieve robust security without breaking the bank.

Securing applications with and without IAP

Without IAP

Imagine running a cloud application without IAP. Users could access the app directly with no authentication, opening the door to unauthorized access. Sensitive data could be exposed, and security would be difficult to manage, especially if you’re dealing with a hybrid cloud setup.

With IAP

With IAP in place, users must authenticate before gaining access, and administrators can define exactly who gets to see what. Every access attempt is logged, and fine-grained policies can be applied based on user identity, device, or location. It’s a simple way to ensure that only authorized users interact with your critical resources, no matter the platform.

Identity-Aware Proxy provides a streamlined, effective way to secure cloud and on-premises applications using an identity-based approach. By leveraging authentication, authorization, and granular access control, IAP enables businesses to implement Zero Trust security and protect resources across Google Cloud, AWS, Azure, and more.

With IAP, you’re not just managing access—you’re actively defending against unauthorized access, simplifying security management, and reducing the complexity and cost of maintaining strong security postures in hybrid environments.