Why Identity and Access Management (IAM) is Key to Cybersecurity

In the realm of cybersecurity, identity and access management (IAM) is crucial for safeguarding resources. While organizations excel at managing human identities, they often overlook a growing threat: non-human identities (NHIs). These digital actors, including service accounts, APIs, and bots, are becoming more prevalent and represent a significant yet often neglected security risk.

Key Insights:
•      Rise of NHIs: NHIs facilitate machine-to-machine communication and are integral to modern IT environments, driven by  advances in cloud computing, DevOps, and IoT. Their autonomous nature and rapid proliferation create an extensive, hidden attack surface.
•      Cybersecurity Risks: NHIs typically have extensive access to critical systems and often use static credentials, making them prime targets for attackers. Their ability to operate at speeds beyond human capabilities amplifies the potential damage if compromised.
•      Mitigation Strategies: To address the risks posed by NHIs, organizations must enhance visibility, implement strong governance, and adopt measures such as zero trust and privileged access management (PAM). Proactive management of these invisible entities is essential to prevent future security breaches.

This evolving challenge highlights the need for organizations to recognize and address the risks associated with NHIs to bolster their cybersecurity defences.

https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/101001-managing-the-invisible-risk-of-non-human-identities