Account provisioning is a fundamental Identity & Access Management (IAM) process that manages the complete lifecycle of user accounts across an organization's IT infrastructure. It encompasses the systematic creation, modification, and deactivation of user identities along with their associated access privileges to applications, systems, and network resources. This process ensures that employees, contractors, and partners receive precisely the access they need to perform their roles—no more, no less—following the principle of least privilege.

Effective account provisioning streamlines user onboarding by automatically establishing accounts and assigning appropriate permissions, while de-provisioning promptly revokes access when users change roles or leave the organization. This systematic approach significantly strengthens an organization's security posture by preventing unauthorized access, reducing insider threat risks, and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements. By automating these processes, organizations also improve operational efficiency and protect sensitive data throughout the entire user lifecycle.