App State Leads IAM Modernization in Higher Ed

Quick Summary 
Appalachian State University’s identity and access management (IAM) modernization proves that higher-education institutions can move from fragmented systems to a unified, automated framework. Working with Moran Technology Consulting and Bravura Security, the university strengthened identity governance, reduced risk, and improved user experience across campus systems. 

When every new academic program creates its own data feed and every password reset becomes a helpdesk ticket, even well-run IT teams hit a wall. 

That was reality at Appalachian State University, one of North Carolina’s leading public institutions, where fragmented systems and years of technical debt made IAM a constant balancing act between security and usability. The university knew it needed more than another tool. It needed a modern IAM strategy for higher education that could scale with the pace of change. 

From Strategy to Execution: App State’s IAM Modernization Journey 

In our first EDUCAUSE Insights Webinar, “Appalachian State’s IGA & IAM Straight Talk Success,” the university shared how it moved from a patchwork of scripts and manual provisioning toward a unified IAM roadmap. 

This second phase shows the real-world execution — modernizing identity governance across 45,000 accounts and multiple campus systems. 

“Institutional change was disrupting IAM,” said Scott Weyandt, PhD, VP of Digital Identity & Security at Moran Technology Consulting. “The goal was to reduce risk and expand the university’s ability to adapt.” 

App State partnered with Moran to assess its entire IAM program, governance, staffing, and technology, and to chart a roadmap that could evolve as the university did. That process led to Bravura Security, whose platform now anchors a new era of automation, security, and control across campus. 

Looking at the Whole Program, Not Just the Platform 

Rather than rushing to product evaluations, Moran worked with App State to understand the entire identity governance landscape including: 

• Building executive awareness around identity’s strategic role in higher ed 

• Aligning HR, student, and IT stakeholders under a shared governance model 

• Clarifying roles, skills, and processes for long-term success 

Using Moran’s IAM Assessment Framework and Decision Matrix, the university identified the right platform for its requirements and culture. The outcome: a prioritized roadmap and a confident selection of Bravura Security as the technology partner to bring it to life. 

Building a Foundation for Modern IAM in Higher Education 

With Bravura Security in place, the team led by Matt McNaney, IT Manager for IAM, took a phased modernization approach. 

• Phase 1: Automation and lifecycle management foundation 

• Phase 2: Enhanced user experience with unified password management and real-time session deprovisioning 

“It wasn’t just about replacing old tools,” McNaney shared. “We wanted to build something that could evolve with the university and reduce the workload on IT over time.” 

By pairing Moran’s strategic guidance with Bravura’s automation and governance capabilities, App State reduced operational risk and increased efficiency across campus systems. 

Reducing Risk and Strengthening Identity Governance 

App State now manages over 45,000 active accounts through a unified lifecycle model, automating onboarding, offboarding, and deprovisioning across LDAP, Active Directory, and Google. 

But the real measure of success? 
 

Fewer manual fixes. Faster response times. Greater confidence that identity governance can keep pace with institutional change. 

“Our goal was to get out of the business of manual fixes,” said McNaney. “Now we’re focused on improving experience, not fighting fires.” 

Continue the Journey: From App State to Your Campus 

Appalachian State’s success shows what’s possible when strategy and technology align. With Moran’s guidance and Bravura Security’s platform, the university turned complexity into control, building a modern IAM foundation for higher education that’s ready for whatever comes next. 

Appalachian State’s journey shows that IAM modernization in higher education is achievable, measurable, and scalable. 

Where To Go From Here

Watch the App State IAM Modernization Webinar 
See how the university unified identity governance and password management across 45,000 users and what that means for higher-ed IT resilience. Watch Now. 

Book a Higher Ed IAM Strategy Session 
Join Bravura Security and Moran Technology Consulting for a personalized discussion on how your institution can modernize IAM with confidence and control. Book Now.