Attribute mapping is a fundamental security process within Identity & Access Management (IAM) that involves translating and synchronizing user identity attributes—such as names, email addresses, roles, and group memberships—between different identity repositories, applications, and cloud services. This mechanism ensures that an individual's digital characteristics and associated permissions are consistently represented and correctly interpreted across an organization's diverse IT environment.

The core function of attribute mapping is to establish a standardized correlation between how an attribute is defined in a source system (such as an HR database or Active Directory) and its corresponding representation in a target system (like a SaaS application or federated identity provider). By accurately mapping attributes, organizations can automate user provisioning and de-provisioning, enforce granular access controls, and mitigate security risks associated with inconsistent identity data—ultimately strengthening their overall security posture and operational efficiency.