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Why this module exists. Customer identity (CIAM) is a distinct discipline from workforce identity — millions of users, self-service flows, fraud and abuse defence, multiple authentication factors balanced against UX friction. This module covers the CIAM-specific patterns and how they differ from workforce IAM.
CIAM vs workforce IAM — the differences
| Dimension | Workforce IAM | CIAM |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | Thousands | Millions to hundreds of millions |
| Onboarding | HR-provisioned | Self-service registration |
| MFA tolerance | Mandatory; users accept | UX-sensitive; abandonment risk |
| Account recovery | Help-desk-mediated | Self-service required |
| Risk posture | Trusted users; insider risk | Account takeover, fraud, abuse |
| Identity proofing | In-person at HR | Online; KYC for regulated |
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