Introduction
In today’s digital world, Identity and Access Management (IAM) plays a crucial role in securing applications and services. Among the various IAM solutions, Keycloak has emerged as a leading open-source identity provider, offering seamless authentication, authorization, and integration capabilities. Organizations across different industries are adopting Keycloak due to its flexibility, security features, and cost-effectiveness. This blog explores the current and future needs for Keycloak, its growing adoption, and why mastering Keycloak is becoming an essential skill in the IAM domain.
Why Organizations Need Keycloak Today
Organizations face several challenges related to authentication and identity management, including:
- Secure and Seamless Authentication: Companies need a robust Single Sign-On (SSO) solution to enhance user experience and security.
- Identity Federation: Organizations require identity federation to integrate with third-party authentication providers like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft Entra ID.
- Scalability: Enterprises need an IAM solution that can scale to millions of users with high availability.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforcing MFA is critical for enhancing security against cyber threats.
- Access Control: Fine-grained authorization policies help manage permissions effectively.
Keycloak meets all these requirements while being an open-source solution, making it an attractive choice for organizations looking for cost-effective IAM solutions.
Companies Using Keycloak
Several large enterprises and tech companies are leveraging Keycloak for their authentication and identity management needs. Here’s a list of some well-known companies using Keycloak:
| Company | Industry | IAM Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat | Software | Integrated into Red Hat SSO |
| Postman | API Development | Secure API authentication |
| Siemens | Industrial Tech | Employee and IoT authentication |
| Amadeus | Travel Tech | Secure access for users and partners |
| Adidas | Retail | Customer authentication and SSO |
| Vodafone | Telecommunications | Identity and access control |
| T-Systems | IT Services | Enterprise identity management |
| Hitachi | Engineering | Secure authentication for internal tools |
| Daimler | Automotive | Employee IAM system |
Even though companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook have their own IAM solutions, other enterprises prefer Keycloak due to its flexibility and ability to integrate across different ecosystems.
Comparison of Keycloak Versions (v12 to v26)
Keycloak has continuously evolved to meet modern IAM challenges. Here’s a version-wise comparison of its key enhancements:
| Version | Key Features & Improvements |
|---|---|
| 12 | Improved authorization services, better clustering support, new admin console UX |
| 13 | Identity brokering enhancements, WebAuthn support, optimized database performance |
| 14 | Improved event logging, OpenID Connect (OIDC) dynamic client registration |
| 15 | Stronger password policies, enhancements to session management |
| 16 | OAuth 2.1 compatibility, new LDAP integration features |
| 17 | Initial Quarkus distribution, faster startup time, better memory efficiency |
| 18 | Full migration to Quarkus, improved operator support |
| 19 | Security patches, fine-grained user session management |
| 20 | Kubernetes-friendly deployment enhancements, better CI/CD integration |
| 21 | Identity federation improvements, performance optimizations |
| 22 | Advanced MFA support, better compliance with modern security standards |
| 23 | Streamlined UI, refined access policies |
| 24 | Faster authentication flows, updated default themes |
| 25 | AI-driven anomaly detection, expanded cloud-native support |
| 26 | Improved passwordless authentication, WebAuthn enhancements |
The Future of Keycloak: Upcoming Features
Keycloak’s roadmap includes several cutting-edge features to meet future IAM demands:
- Decentralized Identity Support – Integration with self-sovereign identity (SSI) solutions such as blockchain-based authentication.
- Enhanced AI-Driven Security – AI-powered anomaly detection and risk-based authentication.
- More Cloud-Native Capabilities – Seamless integration with Kubernetes and microservices architectures.
- Improved Passwordless Authentication – Expanded support for biometric and FIDO2 authentication.
- Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) – Strengthening security by continuously verifying identity and access permissions.
Career Opportunities in Keycloak & IAM
With the increasing adoption of Keycloak, the demand for IAM professionals with Keycloak expertise is growing rapidly. Here are some key job roles:
- IAM Engineer – Implementing and managing authentication solutions using Keycloak.
- Security Architect – Designing secure identity management architectures.
- DevSecOps Engineer – Integrating IAM solutions into DevOps pipelines.
- Cloud Security Specialist – Deploying and managing IAM in cloud environments.
- Cybersecurity Consultant – Advising organizations on best identity security practices.
Salary Trends
IAM professionals with Keycloak skills command attractive salaries:
- Entry-Level (0-3 years): ₹6-12 LPA (India) / $70,000 - $100,000 (US)
- Mid-Level (3-7 years): ₹12-25 LPA (India) / $100,000 - $150,000 (US)
- Senior-Level (7+ years): ₹25-50 LPA (India) / $150,000+ (US)
Conclusion
Keycloak has become an essential IAM solution, offering security, scalability, and flexibility. Organizations across industries, from software to telecom, are adopting Keycloak to secure their authentication processes. As IAM continues to evolve, Keycloak remains a strong contender with its open-source model and continuous innovation.
With the rising demand for IAM expertise, professionals skilled in Keycloak will find numerous career opportunities in cybersecurity and cloud security. Whether you're an enterprise looking for an IAM solution or an aspiring IAM professional, now is the best time to explore Keycloak and its future potential.
Are you using Keycloak or another IAM solution? Share your experiences in the comments!
