Cloud-Washed vs. Cloud-Native: Why ForgeRock’s Approach Falls Short of Avatier’s True Cloud IAM Platform

As organizations accelerate their transition to the cloud, the need to modernize Identity and Access Management (IAM) infrastructure is urgent. A critical distinction is emerging: enterprises must choose between truly cloud-native IAM platforms and solutions that have merely been “cloud-washed.” This choice is increasingly important for a successful cloud journey.This distinction is particularly relevant when comparing ForgeRock’s approach (now part of Ping Identity following their $2.3 billion acquisition) with Avatier’s purpose-built cloud-native identity management platform.

Understanding Cloud-Washed vs. Cloud-Native Identity Solutions

The Cloud-Washing Phenomenon

“Cloud-washing” refers to the practice of repackaging traditional on-premises software as “cloud” solutions without fundamentally redesigning the architecture to leverage cloud-native principles. This approach typically involves hosting legacy code in virtual machines or containers without embracing microservices, serverless computing, or true multi-tenancy.

ForgeRock’s identity platform originated as an on-premises solution that has gradually evolved toward cloud deployment options. Despite marketing claims about cloud capabilities, their core architecture was conceived in the pre-cloud era and subsequently adapted—not designed from the ground up for cloud environments.

True Cloud-Native Architecture

In contrast, Avatier’s Identity Anywhere platform represents a fundamentally different approach. Built as a cloud-native solution from inception, Avatier’s platform leverages containerization, microservices architecture, and DevOps principles to deliver superior scalability, resilience, and operational efficiency.

According to Gartner, by 2025, over 95% of new digital workloads will be deployed on cloud-native platforms, up from 30% in 2021. This dramatic shift highlights the strategic importance of selecting truly cloud-native solutions rather than legacy platforms that have been retrofitted for cloud environments.

Key Differences Between ForgeRock and Avatier Approaches

1. Architecture and Deployment Model

ForgeRock’s Approach: ForgeRock’s Identity Platform was originally designed as a monolithic application for on-premises deployment. Their cloud offering essentially hosts this traditional architecture in cloud infrastructure, often requiring dedicated environments for each customer. This approach limits elasticity and true multi-tenancy capabilities.

Avatier’s Approach: Avatier pioneered the concept of Identity-as-a-Container (IDaaC), delivering the industry’s first containerized identity management solution. This revolutionary approach enables true cloud-native deployment with consistent performance across public, private, and hybrid cloud environments. Each microservice is independently deployable and scalable, allowing for granular resource allocation and resilience.

2. Scalability and Performance

ForgeRock’s Challenge: Because ForgeRock’s platform wasn’t originally architected for horizontal scaling, their cloud deployments often struggle with elasticity under variable loads. Customers frequently report performance degradation during peak usage periods or as user populations grow.

Avatier’s Advantage: Avatier’s microservices architecture enables dynamic scaling of individual components based on actual demand. The platform can automatically allocate resources where needed, ensuring consistent performance even during unexpected usage spikes. This architecture has demonstrated the ability to handle millions of identities with sub-second response times.

3. Integration Capabilities

ForgeRock’s Limitation: ForgeRock’s integration approach often requires significant customization and professional services engagement. Their connections to enterprise applications frequently rely on legacy protocols and approaches that don’t align with modern API-first strategies.

Avatier’s Innovation: Avatier offers over 550 pre-built application connectors designed specifically for cloud environments. These connectors leverage modern RESTful APIs and are continuously updated to accommodate application changes. This approach dramatically reduces integration complexity and accelerates time-to-value.

4. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

ForgeRock’s Reality: According to industry analysts, organizations implementing ForgeRock’s identity solutions often discover that the total cost of ownership exceeds initial projections by 40-60%. This discrepancy stems from several factors:

• Extensive professional services requirements for implementation
• Ongoing maintenance and upgrade complexity
• Additional infrastructure costs to maintain performance
• License models that don’t align with cloud consumption patterns

Avatier’s Value Proposition: Avatier’s container-based architecture significantly reduces infrastructure overhead, with customers reporting 30-50% lower TCO compared to traditional IAM solutions. The platform’s self-service capabilities, automation features, and streamlined maintenance processes further reduce operational costs over time.

Real-World Impact: Security, Compliance, and Operational Efficiency

Security Posture

ForgeRock’s Vulnerability: Cloud-washed architectures often introduce security vulnerabilities at the seams between legacy code and cloud interfaces. ForgeRock’s approach can create security blind spots, particularly in hybrid deployments where identity data flows between on-premises and cloud environments.

A 2022 study by Ponemon Institute found that organizations using retrofitted cloud security solutions experienced 43% more security incidents compared to those using cloud-native security platforms.

Avatier’s Security-First Design: Avatier implements Zero Trust principles throughout its architecture. The platform’s multifactor integration capabilities provide advanced authentication options that adapt to the risk level of each access request. As a true cloud-native solution, security controls are embedded within each microservice rather than bolted on as an afterthought.

Compliance Management

ForgeRock’s Compliance Challenges: ForgeRock customers often struggle with demonstrating continuous compliance in dynamic cloud environments. Their solutions typically require extensive customization to address specific regulatory requirements like GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA.

Avatier’s Compliance Advantage: Avatier’s platform includes comprehensive access governance capabilities that streamline compliance processes across multiple regulatory frameworks. The solution provides real-time visibility into access patterns, automated certification campaigns, and detailed audit trails that dramatically reduce compliance overhead.

Organizations in heavily regulated industries particularly benefit from Avatier’s purpose-built compliance features for healthcare (HIPAA), financial services, government (FISMA), and energy sectors (NERC CIP).

Operational Efficiency

ForgeRock’s Administrative Burden: ForgeRock’s cloud-washed approach often translates to significant operational overhead. System administrators frequently report spending 15-20 hours per week on routine maintenance tasks, and upgrades can require extensive planning and downtime.

Avatier’s Operational Excellence: Avatier’s self-service capabilities and workflow automation significantly reduce administrative burden. The platform’s intuitive interface enables business users to manage their own access needs while maintaining appropriate governance controls. Organizations using Avatier report that IT staff can redirect 60-70% of time previously spent on identity management to higher-value initiatives.

The Future of Identity Management: AI-Driven, Cloud-Native Innovation

As organizations look toward the future of identity management, the limitations of cloud-washed solutions become increasingly apparent. ForgeRock’s approach, despite incremental improvements, remains constrained by its legacy architecture and development philosophy.

Avatier continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible with cloud-native identity management. The platform’s AI-driven capabilities for anomaly detection, access recommendations, and automated governance represent the next frontier in identity security.

According to IDC, by 2024, 80% of CISOs will invest in cloud-native identity solutions with AI capabilities to address the growing complexity of hybrid workforce access management. This trend clearly favors purpose-built solutions like Avatier over retrofitted platforms like ForgeRock.

Making the Right Choice for Your Organization

When evaluating ForgeRock (now part of Ping Identity) against Avatier for your organization’s identity management needs, consider these critical questions:

1. Is the solution truly architected for cloud environments, or has it been adapted from legacy code?
2. How will the platform scale as your identity needs grow and evolve?
3. What is the total cost of ownership, including implementation, customization, and ongoing maintenance?
4. How easily does the solution adapt to changing compliance requirements?
5. Does the platform embrace modern concepts like Zero Trust and AI-driven security?

For organizations committed to digital transformation, the limitations of cloud-washed identity solutions present significant risks to security, scalability, and long-term ROI. Avatier’s truly cloud-native approach delivers the agility, security, and operational efficiency that modern enterprises require.

Conclusion: The Clear Advantage of True Cloud-Native IAM

The distinction between cloud-washed and cloud-native identity solutions isn’t merely semantic—it fundamentally impacts how effectively organizations can secure and manage identities in today’s complex environments. ForgeRock’s approach, despite its market presence, represents yesterday’s technology adapted to today’s challenges.

Avatier’s purpose-built cloud-native platform delivers measurable advantages in deployment flexibility, scalability, security, and total cost of ownership. For organizations navigating digital transformation initiatives, the choice between cloud-washed and cloud-native identity management will have profound implications for years to come.

By selecting Avatier’s truly cloud-native identity platform, enterprises gain a forward-looking solution designed specifically for the challenges and opportunities of modern cloud environments—without the limitations, compromises, and hidden costs of retrofitted legacy systems.

Try Avatier today