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jim-beard/README.md

Hi there, I'm Jim Beard

Identity & Access Management Software Developer at Unicon

With over 24 years of experience in enterprise software development, including nearly 20 years in higher education, I specialize in Identity and Access Management solutions for universities, colleges, and private enterprises. A strong proponent of open source software, I currently focus on Internet2's InCommon Trusted Access Platform, working extensively with Grouper and midPoint to help institutions design, implement, and troubleshoot complex IAM and IGA environments.

As an IAM Software Developer at Unicon, I work with organizations on their identity management and enterprise application challenges:

  • Helping organizations evaluate and implement Grouper for group and access policy management
  • Troubleshooting complex IAM environments for long-standing Grouper deployments
  • Designing and implementing midPoint solutions for identity governance
  • Supporting institutions through staffing transitions and scaling challenges
  • Consulting on InCommon Trusted Access Platform architecture and best practices
  • Enhancing enterprise application stacks for private companies focusing on IAM and AWS solutions

Experience Highlights

Current Role - Unicon (2023-Present)

  • Supporting major institutions including Yale, Boston University, University of Toronto, University of Hawaii, UW-Madison, and West Chester University
  • Focus on Internet2 InCommon Trusted Access Platform (Grouper and midPoint)
  • Consulting on IAM and IGA implementations from initial setup to complex troubleshooting

University of Oregon (17+ years)

  • Managed Identity and Access Management solutions for a major research university
  • Extensive experience with enterprise-scale IAM deployments

Legal Software CTO

  • Led development teams building both open source and proprietary software
  • Oversaw full software development lifecycle

Core Expertise

Identity & Access Management

Platforms: GroupermidPoint • Shibboleth • DUO Protocols: SAML • OIDC • OAuth 2.0 Integration: Active Directory • Exchange • Azure/Entra Architecture: InCommon Trusted Access Platform

Development & Technology Stack

Languages: Java • JavaScript • TypeScript • Python • PL/SQL Frameworks: React • Spring • REST APIs Databases: Oracle • PostgreSQL • MySQL • MariaDB • MongoDB • LDAP Cloud & Infrastructure: AWS (Cloud Practitioner Certified) • High Availability • Big IP F5 • Enterprise Integration

AI & Automation

Model Context Protocol (MCP): Creator and maintainer of Grouper-MCP - Open source MCP server for Grouper Tools & Platforms: RAG-based knowledge bases • n8n workflow automation • AI development tools

Education & Background

  • M.S. and B.S. in Computer and Information Science
  • AWS Cloud Practitioner - Certified
  • Public Service - Elected City Councilor (8 years)

Publications & Thought Leadership

  • Catalyst to Catalyst (Summer 2025): Ideas and Insights from InCommon Catalysts - Internet2/InCommon
  • InCommon Trusted Access Platform: midPoint vs Grouper (March 2024) - Unicon
  • Catalyst to Catalyst (Winter 2023): Ideas and Insights from InCommon Catalysts - Internet2
  • An Open-Source System for Electronic Court Filing (June 2004) - Linux Journal

Beyond Code

When I'm not working on IAM solutions, I enjoy an eclectic mix of hobbies including beekeeping, blacksmithing, and ham radio.

Connect With Me


Building secure, scalable identity solutions for higher education since 2006.

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