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Build vs. Buy for IGA

Rich Manfredi·Solutions Architect·2 min

Rich Manfredi breaks down the build versus buy decision for identity governance solutions in an LLM-driven world, explaining why building your own IGA with AI may seem fast and inexpensive but often creates long-term risk.

Main Takeaways

  • LLMs make it easier than ever to build custom tools, leading many teams to consider building their own IGA solution.
  • “Cheap” is often misleading. Initial development costs may be low, but long-term risk and rework can be significant.
  • Guardrails are essential in governance systems, and experienced vendors build these in by design.
  • Purpose-built IGA platforms follow industry best practices that DIY solutions often miss.
  • Edge cases are where most homegrown systems fail, especially without deep domain expertise.
  • Weak guardrails, missed edge cases, or nonstandard processes can create serious audit and compliance issues.
  • Buying a mature IGA solution reduces risk, ensures compliance alignment, and avoids costly mistakes over time.