The Essential Guide to Non-Human Identity Management

This guide covers and provides vital insights for the cybersecurity community regarding Non-Human Identity Management (NHIM), which involves managing and securing of digital identities within organizational ecosystems. It explains the fundamental disparities between human and non-human identities, emphasizing the urgency for specialized NHIM solutions in today's dynamic threat landscape.  

It highlights the decentralization, ownership, and operational risks associated with non-human identities and underlines the imperative for NHIM systems in mitigating potential cybersecurity incidents considering the heightened risks posed by compromised non-human entities.
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Report Contributors

Paul Carpenito Cyber Security Tribe 100x100

Paul Carpenito

Head of Information Security, Loews Corporation

Kapil Bareja 100 x 100 Cyber Security Tribe

Kapil Bareja

Digital And Cyber Risk Governance Leader

Andrew Wilder Cyber Security Tribe

Andrew Wilder

Retained CSO, Community Veterinary Partners

Bezawit Sumner Cyber Security Tribe

Bezawit Sumner

CISO, CRISP Shared Services

Report Summary

Recent breaches have underscored the significant risks associated with compromised Non-Human Identities (NHIs), leading to cybersecurity incidents, operational disruptions, and supply chain attacks. Traditional Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions, tailored for human identities, inadequately address the unique challenges posed by NHIs, leaving organizations vulnerable to exploitation.

This report emphasizes the critical need for organizations to inventory, document usage, and protect non-human identities, despite the initial complexity of implementing Non-Human Identity Management (NHIM). While NHIM may seem daunting initially, an incremental approach can facilitate its integration into organizational cybersecurity frameworks. As the industry witnesses a surge in tools and solutions focused on human identity protection, a parallel effort is required to fortify non-human identity defenses.

The emergence of NHIM solutions addresses this pressing need by providing specialized mechanisms to manage non-human identities effectively. These identities, often overlooked once created, present challenges in terms of visibility and tracking, potentially leading to significant security incidents. The lessons learned from past breaches underscore the imperative of securing non-human identities and the value of a robust NHIM partner.

As organizational perimeters blur with the adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud architectures and agile development methodologies, NHIM adoption becomes paramount in combating evolving cyber threats. Prioritizing the implementation of comprehensive NHIM strategies empowers organizations to bolster their cybersecurity resilience and mitigate the risks posed by the proliferation of non-human identities.
 

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