Non-human identities (NHIs), such as service accounts, workloads, bots, keys, certificates, and AI agents, are becoming increasingly prevalent in organizations. They interact with systems autonomously and often circumvent the provisioning and auditing processes that human identities are subject to. While essential for efficient business operations, these identities often hold elevated permissions that are rarely reviewed.  

Poorly managed NHIs are becoming a leading cause of data breaches, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit weak security practices. Hackers commonly use credential stuffing, leverage orphaned accounts, and compromise API keys to gain unauthorized access.

Managing these identities presents unique challenges that require new strategies and executive support. In this blog, we will explore the challenges posed by NHIs, strategies for managing them securely, and how to build the business case for investing in robust identity management beyond humans.

The Non-Human Identity Challenge

Managing NHIs presents several distinct challenges that organizations must address to maintain strong security and governance:

• ‍Lack of visibility and clarity: Many teams are uncertain about what qualifies as a non-human identity, leading to confusion and lack of oversight in digital identity management. ‍
• Sheer volume: NHIs often outnumber human users, making them difficult to track and manage effectively. ‍
• Unclear ownership and accountability: These identities are frequently unmanaged or unassigned, creating significant security risks. ‍
• Complexity of service accounts and digital keys: Service accounts, bots, certificates, and AI agents add layers of complexity to identity governance.

Strategies for Managing Non-Human Identities Securely

To address these challenges, organizations must adopt a comprehensive and secure strategy built on several core components:

Inventory and Ownership: Maintain a comprehensive inventory of all NHIs–including service accounts, workloads, bots, keys, certificates, and AI agents–and assign clear ownership. Each identity should have a designated individual or team responsible for its security and maintenance.

Lifecycle Management: Implement structured lifecycle management practices similar to those used for human identities. This includes provisioning, de-provisioning, and regular reviews to ensure that existing NHIs are still required, properly configured, and used appropriately.

Access Controls and Governance: Enforce strict access controls and governance policies. Define and enforce least privilege access, perform regular access permission audits, and ensure that NHIs only have the access necessary to perform their job.

Automation and Monitoring: Leverage automation and monitoring tools to streamline NHI management. Automated tools can help provision and de-provision identities, while monitoring tools can provide real-time visibility into NHI activities, helping to rapidly detect and respond to suspicious behavior.

Getting Executive Buy-In for Secure Non-Human Identity Management

Securing leadership support for strong NHI management can be a steep hill to climb. The key is to frame the conversation in terms of risk, value, and alignment with organizational goals. Consider these tips:

Educate and Inform: Clearly explain the risks associated with unmanaged NHIs and their potential impact on business operations. Use real-world examples and analogies, such as comparing NHIs to saved credentials on a personal laptop, to illustrate how neglected identities can create major security vulnerabilities.

Demonstrate ROI: Show the return on investment of proper NHI management, emphasizing measurable benefits such as reduced breach risk, lower incident response costs, improved compliance, and greater operational efficiency. Where possible, support your case with data and metrics.

Align with Business Goals: Align the management of NHIs with the organization's broader business priorities. Explain how securing these identities supports the organization's objectives, protects its assets, and strengthens customer trust.

Start Small and Scale: Propose a focused pilot program to demonstrate effectiveness and deliver quick wins. Use the results to build momentum, prove value, and secure additional support for broader implementation.

Identity management must expand beyond human users to include non-human identities. While this adds complexity, it is now an essential requirement in today's digital landscape. By understanding the challenges, implementing effective management strategies, and securing executive buy-in, organizations can mitigate the risks of unmanaged non-human identities and build a stronger, more secure, and efficient digital environment.

Want to learn more? 

Check out our roundtable webinar featuring CISO perspectives on NHIs: Unmasking Invisible Threats: Securing Non-Human Identities

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