While we continue to pour resources into bolstering our firewalls and implementing the latest threat detection systems, a new cybersecurity battleground is emerging – one that many organizations are woefully unprepared for. By 2025, the biggest threat won't be lurking at the network perimeter, attempting to breach our defenses; it will be the exponential growth of non-human identities lurking within our own systems.
Yes, you read that correctly. We're talking about the machines.
Think about the sheer volume of connected devices in your organization – from the seemingly innocuous (smart coffee makers, IP cameras) to the undeniably mission-critical (cloud servers, industrial robots, programmable logic controllers). In manufacturing, this could be anything from robotic assembly arms and automated guided vehicles to entire production line control systems. In energy, it might be smart grids, remote sensors monitoring pipelines, or even the control systems for power plants. Each of these devices, from the mundane to the critical, possesses a digital identity, and each represents a potential entry point for attackers. And the numbers are staggering: in industrial settings, these non-human identities, like APIs, service accounts, and embedded certificates, can outnumber human users by significant margins, sometimes exceeding them by a factor of 100 to 1 or even more.
This isn't just about a few rogue bots or pieces of malware anymore. We're talking about a vast and interconnected ecosystem of devices, each with its own unique identity, access privileges, and potential vulnerabilities. This explosion of non-human identities is going to force a major shift in how we approach cybersecurity. CISOs and executives will soon realize that Identity and Access Management (IAM) is no longer just an IT afterthought or a matter of simple password management; it's a critical operational concern with far-reaching implications for the entire organization, impacting everything from business continuity and regulatory compliance to brand reputation and even physical safety.
Today, most IAM solutions are still heavily focused on human identities – passwords, multi-factor authentication, biometrics, etc. But what about the machines? Those long-lived access keys, the sprawling and often poorly documented permissions, the lack of regular audits... it's a recipe for disaster. This is especially problematic in industrial environments, where these identities often control access to critical infrastructure, sensitive operational data, and potentially dangerous equipment. A compromised machine identity in a manufacturing plant could lead to production shutdowns, equipment damage, or even safety hazards. In the energy sector, it could disrupt power grids, cause environmental damage, or have even more catastrophic consequences.
The repercussions of inaction are significant. Imagine a scenario where attackers compromise a single, overlooked machine identity within your network. This could be an outdated API key embedded in a forgotten piece of software, a service account with excessive privileges, or a compromised certificate on an IoT device. From this single point of entry, attackers could pivot laterally through your systems, gaining access to sensitive data, disrupting operations, or even causing physical damage. Imagine a critical production line grinding to a halt because of a compromised API key controlling a robotic arm, or a power grid destabilizing due to unauthorized access to a control system. The potential for disruption, data breaches, financial loss, and reputational damage is enormous.
So, how do we address this looming crisis? First, we need a fundamental shift in mindset. We need to move beyond the traditional perimeter-focused security approach and recognize that identity is the new security perimeter. We need to acknowledge that securing non-human identities is just as critical, if not more so, than securing human ones. Every device, every application, every piece of software needs to be treated as a potential point of compromise. We need to adopt a Zero Trust model, where every identity, human or machine, is continuously verified before being granted access, regardless of its location or perceived trustworthiness.
Second, we need to invest in solutions that can help us manage this complex landscape of non-human identities. Traditional IAM solutions, designed primarily for human users, are simply not equipped to handle the sheer volume, diversity, and dynamic nature of machine identities. We need dedicated tools that provide:
- Continuous, context-aware authentication: Moving beyond static credentials like API keys and passwords to verify identities based on a wide range of factors, such as device posture, location, behavior, and risk profile. This might involve analyzing network traffic, system logs, and even environmental data to determine whether a device is behaving as expected.
- Automated lifecycle management: Streamlining the process of creating, deploying, and revoking machine identities, minimizing the risk of human error and oversight. This includes automating tasks such as certificate renewal, key rotation, and privilege management, ensuring that credentials are always up-to-date and secure.
- Comprehensive visibility and control: Gaining a clear understanding of all machine identities within the organization, their associated permissions, and their activity patterns. This requires a centralized platform that can discover, inventory, and monitor all machine identities across the entire ecosystem, providing real-time insights into their behavior and potential risks.
The good news is that solutions are starting to emerge that can help organizations tackle these challenges head-on. By adopting a proactive and comprehensive approach to machine identity management, organizations can significantly reduce their risk and ensure the security of their critical assets.
This is a defining moment for cybersecurity. Organizations across all industrial sectors that fail to address this looming crisis risk operational shutdowns, environmental damage, safety hazards, and significant financial and reputational damage. Those that recognize the urgency of this threat and take decisive action to secure their non-human identities will be the ones that thrive in the years to come. They will be the ones who can confidently embrace digital transformation, knowing that their critical systems and data are protected from the inside out.
Let's continue the conversation.
About the Author
Robert Philkill is the Chief Cloud Officer at SOFTwarfare, and is based in the Bay Area. With over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, he's held sales, sales engineering, and engineering roles at industry leaders like Google, Mandiant, Crowdstrike, Optiv, and Raytheon. In his spare time, you can find him running or biking around whatever city his travels take him.
