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Enterprise Security Magazine | Monday, November 10, 2025
Fremont, CA: As organizations are reshaped by the digital revolution, machine-to-machine communication is emerging as a major innovation driver. However, the rapid expansion of these interactions has made it more challenging to manage the non-human identities (NHIs) that power applications, APIs, IoT devices, bots, etc. NHIs present significant security threats that are challenging for enterprises to effectively manage, despite the fact that they are essential for seamless automation and integration.
The Hidden Risk of NHIs
Unlike human identities, governed by well-established identity and access management (IAM) practices, NHIs often operate without the same level of oversight. This lack of stringent governance exposes organisations to exploitation by malicious actors. Mismanaged NHIs, such as service accounts with excessive privileges or unsecured APIs, can become gateways for cyberattacks, causing breaches that result in financial and reputational damage.
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For example, APIs designed to enable system interoperability can inadvertently expose confidential information if not properly secured. Similarly, IoT devices, renowned for their ability to enhance operational efficiency, frequently lack robust security measures, making them easy targets for attackers. The risks posed by these vulnerabilities underscore the need for organisations to elevate NHI security as a key element of their risk management strategies.
Visibility and Decentralization
One of the most pressing issues in securing NHIs is the challenge of visibility. Many organisations lack a comprehensive, real-time inventory of their NHIs. Shadow IT practices and decentralised identity management further complicate efforts, creating blind spots that hinder the enforcement of security policies. Excessive privileges granted to NHIs increase the risk of unauthorised access and expand the organisation’s attack surface.
Adding to the complexity is the fragmented nature of NHI creation and management. Unlike human identities, which are typically managed through centralised IAM systems, NHIs are often created ad hoc by various teams. This decentralised approach leads to inconsistent governance, diluted accountability and security gaps that attackers can exploit.
Elevating NHI Security to a Strategic Priority
Recent cyber incidents have highlighted the critical importance of securing NHIs, making it a growing concern at the executive and board levels. Communicating the risks and proposed mitigation strategies to leadership ensures that NHI security receives the necessary resources and attention.
The proliferation of NHIs is both a driver of digital innovation and a source of increasing security complexity. Mismanagement—whether through excessive privileges, stale permissions or insufficient lifecycle management—creates vulnerabilities that attackers are eager to exploit. By enhancing visibility, enforcing least-privilege access and integrating robust certificate management, organisations can mitigate these risks and strengthen their overall cybersecurity posture.
As NHIs continue to reshape the digital landscape, addressing their security is no longer optional. Organisations must prioritise the governance and protection of NHIs to stay ahead of evolving threats and safeguard their operations in an increasingly interconnected world
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