As organizations embrace automation, artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, non-human identities (NHIs) have become critical components in modern IT environments. These digital entities—ranging from APIs and service accounts to IoT devices and machine learning models—drive seamless operations and interconnectivity across systems. But with their explosive growth comes a dark side: NHIs are rapidly emerging as a favorite target for cybercriminals, predicted to become the primary attack vector by 2025.
This shift underscores the urgent need for organizations to address the unique cybersecurity challenges posed by NHIs to safeguard their operations in an increasingly interconnected world.
What Are Non-Human Identities?
Non-human identities (NHIs) refer to digital credentials assigned to systems, devices and applications rather than human users. They include:
- API keys
- Service accounts
- Cloud service credentials
- Cryptographic keys and digital certificates
- OAuth tokens
These NHIs enable inter-system communication, data processing and secure access to applications, making them indispensable in both on-premises and cloud environments. Yet their increasing volume and inadequate management often leave them vulnerable to exploitation.
The Escalating Risks of NHIs
1. Volume and Complexity
NHIs now are estimated to outnumber human identities in many organizations by ratios as high as 20:1 or even 45:1 in some enterprises. Managing this sheer volume is daunting, especially as NHIs are deployed across:
- IoT and IIoT networks
- Multi-cloud environments
- Remote and hybrid work setups
2. Lack of Visibility and Control
Many NHIs operate in environments beyond the direct oversight of cybersecurity teams. For example, third-party SaaS integrations and shadow IT can create unmonitored NHIs, offering attackers easy pathways into enterprise systems.
3. Targeted Attacks
Cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting NHIs to move laterally within systems, bypassing traditional defenses like multi-factor authentication (MFA). Common attack methods include:
- Hardcoded credentials in codebases
- Compromised API keys
- Exploitation of digital certificates for session hijacking
4. Ineffective Security Postures
Traditional identity security measures designed for humans, such as password policies or behavioral analytics, are often inadequate for NHIs. This leaves organizations exposed to large-scale breaches.
Why Are NHIs a Favorite Target?
NHIs represent a unique opportunity for attackers:
- Broad Access: NHIs often have elevated privileges, granting access to sensitive systems and data.
- Automation Advantages: Compromised NHIs can be exploited at scale, allowing attackers to automate lateral movement and data exfiltration.
- Limited Protection: Unlike human users, NHIs don’t use dynamic passwords, are less frequently monitored and rarely undergo robust access audits.
Key Strategies for Securing NHIs
1. Implement Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR)
ITDR solutions enable organizations to:
- Identify anomalies in NHI behavior
- Detect unauthorized activity in real-time
- Automate responses to mitigate breaches
By integrating ITDR with other security tools, enterprises can ensure continuous monitoring of NHI activity across all environments.
2. Enhance Visibility and Monitoring
Visibility is crucial for understanding and managing NHI risks. Best practices include:
- Centralized NHI Inventory: Maintain a comprehensive list of all NHIs and their permissions.
- Continuous Monitoring: Use tools to track real-time NHI activity, detect anomalies and respond proactively.
3. Adopt Zero Trust Principles
A zero-trust approach for NHIs includes:
- Enforcing Least Privilege Access: Limit NHIs to only the permissions necessary for their tasks.
- Network Segmentation: Isolate NHIs to prevent lateral movement if compromised.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Use strong authentication measures tailored for machine-to-machine interactions.
4. Prioritize Digital Certificate Management
Proper management of digital certificates and cryptographic keys is vital. Key steps include:
- Automated Lifecycle Management: Ensure certificates are automatically issued, renewed and revoked.
- Regular Audits: Identify expired or misconfigured certificates to prevent vulnerabilities.
- Integration with ITDR: Enhance monitoring and detection by linking certificate management to broader threat detection systems.
5. Address Third-Party and Cloud NHIs
Cloud and third-party NHIs introduce additional challenges. Mitigate risks by:
- Auditing External NHIs: Regularly review permissions and usage for third-party integrations.
- Rotating Credentials Frequently: Prevent long-term credential validity that attackers could exploit.
- Extending Security Policies: Apply organization-wide security standards to external NHIs wherever possible.
Overcoming Challenges
Integration Challenges
Balancing security with operational efficiency is a recurring dilemma. Security measures must be designed to integrate seamlessly into workflows, avoiding unnecessary disruptions to critical processes. Automating security protocols and prioritizing system availability can help achieve this balance, ensuring protection without compromising productivity.
Unrecognized NHIs
Unknown NHIs can cause hesitancy among IT staff, who may fear breaking critical systems if they act against them. Conduct regular discovery scans and maintain detailed documentation to prevent this issue.
Training and Awareness
Most cybersecurity teams lack training in NHI protection. Offer specialized training on:
- Secrets management
- NHI-specific attack vectors
- Advanced authentication mechanisms
Final Thoughts
The rise of NHIs in cybersecurity reflects a double-edged sword: while they enable technological innovation, they also expand the attack surface exponentially. Organizations must act swiftly to adopt tools and practices that secure NHIs without compromising operational efficiency.
By implementing ITDR, enhancing certificate management and adopting zero-trust principles, cybersecurity professionals can effectively mitigate NHI risks and safeguard their organizations from increasingly sophisticated attacks.
The message is clear: securing NHIs is no longer optional—it is imperative for modern cybersecurity.
