As we exited a difficult 2020, we did so with lessons and learnings we were hoping would guide us better in 2021. There was a new focus towards a hybrid working environment that was also secure. This shift required a modernization of infrastructures, the adoption of new technologies, and innovative ways to automate, orchestrate, and reduce overall operating expenses. And for many IT and security professionals, there was a sigh of relief as budgets were reallocated and identity and security projects became prioritized. It should have been an amazing year of growth and expansion. But was it? 2021 did bring some benefits—new ways of thinking and invigorated approaches. But it also brought a firestorm of large cyberattacks that dominated mainstream news. These incidents emphasized the importance of having good security practices, with robust Identity Access Management (IAM) solutions in place. But many in the industry were mentally channeling Arthur Dent.