Executive Summary

Modernizing identity and access governance at scale is a significant challenge for any organization, let alone a federal agency managing over 100,000 users and 500,000 entitlements. Faced with an aging custom-built system, compliance requirements, and the need for a first-ever cloud migration, CDW (working with IT Federal Sales) turned to Zephon to deliver a seamless, FISMA HIGH-compliant solution.

Key Challenges

• Migrating 100,000+ users from a legacy identity governance system

• Moving to AWS GovCloud, a first for the agency

• Maintaining access integrity while transitioning 500,000+ entitlements

• Supporting complex workflows with up to 10 levels of approval

• Ensuring audit compliance with stringent federal security standards

  
  

Solution Delivered

Working alongside CDW, Zephon led the replacement of the agency’s custom-built Oracle Forms-based identity governance system with SailPoint IdentityIQ, integrating it with CyberArk for Privileged Access Management (PAM) and Splunk for real-time monitoring and reporting. The new solution, branded BEARS (Business Entitlement Access Request System), was deployed in AWS GovCloud to meet FedRAMP and FISMA HIGH compliance requirements.

Key features of the solution include:

• Seamless Migration: Transferred all 100,000+ users and 500,000+ entitlements without business disruption

• Zero User Impact: Ensured access continuity while preserving complete historical audit trails

• Enhanced Automation: Automated all Active Directory-related provisioning and role-based access control (RBAC)

• Compliance & Certification: Successfully passed multiple GAO, FISMA, FedRAMP, and TIGTA audits

• Privileged Access Integration: Unified governance of privileged access with CyberArk

• Advanced Monitoring & Reporting: Provided real-time access insights via Splunk dashboards

  
  

Results & Business Impact

• Increased Operational Efficiency: Standardized identity governance across the agency, improving access management visibility

• Reduced Security Risk: Enhanced compliance with DHS CISA’s Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) Initiative

• Improved Decision-Making: Real-time dashboarding and reporting enabled proactive security governance

• Cost Optimization: Eliminated maintenance costs of a legacy system, reducing technical debt

  
  

Why Zephon?

At Zephon, we specialize in low-maintenance, resilient, and self-healing cybersecurity solutions that integrate seamlessly into mission-critical environments. Our expertise in identity governance and privileged access management ensures federal agencies achieve their security, compliance, and operational efficiency goals—without disrupting business processes.

Technical Approach & Implementation

Architecture & Design

• Identity Governance: SailPoint IdentityIQ, customized for the agency’s workflows

• Privileged Access: CyberArk for seamless PAM integration

• Security & Compliance: AWS GovCloud-hosted, FISMA HIGH-compliant solution

• Audit & Monitoring: Splunk dashboards for real-time insights

  
  

Implementation Process

• Legacy System Migration: Phased approach ensuring zero downtime

• Role-Based Access Modeling: Custom access models for different user roles (managers, system admins, help desk, etc.)

• Identity Lifecycle Automation: Implemented DevSecOps for secure access governance

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) & PIV Compliance: HSPD-12 integration for stronger authentication

• Continuous Monitoring & Certification: Multiple successful access certification campaigns post-go-live

  
  

Technology Stack

• SailPoint IdentityIQ | CyberArk | Splunk | Radiant Logic | AWS GovCloud

• Tomcat | Java | Spring Boot | SQL Server | Bitbucket | Bamboo

• SAML-based Federation | MFA (PIV) | DevSecOps best practice

  
  

Ongoing Support & Compliance

• 24x7 Tier 2/3 operational support

• Continuous patching, security updates, and POAM resolution

• Agile-driven enhancements and change management

• Compliance support for GAO, FISMA, TIGTA audits

  
  

Conclusion

Zephon successfully transformed the IRS’s identity governance framework by migrating a legacy system to a modern, scalable, and audit-ready cloud-based solution. With automation, real-time monitoring, and privileged access integration, we enabled the agency to achieve its security, compliance, and operational objectives without compromising user experience.

For federal agencies looking to modernize identity and access governance, Zephon provides a proven, low-risk path to transformation—ensuring security, compliance, and efficiency at every step.

Hassle-Free Cyber. Delivered.