What are Non-Human Identities?

Defining Non-Human Identities (NHIs): What Are We Talking About?

Okay, let's dive into NHIs—bet you didn't think machines needed identities, huh? Well, turns out they do, and it's kinda a big deal.

So, what are we actually talking about? Non-human identities (nhis) are basically digital IDs for things that aren't people. Think apps, services, devices—anything that needs to talk to other systems automatically.

• nhis let machines talk to each other without human intervention, which is how a lot of automation happens.
• api tokens are a good example, they make sure only authorized apps can access sensitive info.
• But here's the kicker: these nhis are often an afterthought in security strategies, which can lead to vulnerabilities What are Non-Human Identities (NHIs)? | CrowdStrike - CrowdStrike defines NHIs and explains their security risks.

Why should you even care? Well, cloud adoption, devops, and the internet of things (iot) are making NHIs way more common.

• You got all these new cloud services, and they all need to talk to each other securely.
• Devops relies on automated workflows, which means even more nhis.
• And with tons of iot devices popping up everywhere, managing these nhis is crucial to keep your infrastructure safe from unauthorized access.

  According to Enterprise Research Group, NHIs outnumber human identities by over 20x in enterprise environments What Are Non Human Identities and Why They Matter? - Oasis Security highlights the growing number of NHIs compared to human identities.

It's a growing problem, and it's only going to get bigger. So, what's next? Let's talk about the different types of NHIs you might encounter.

Types of Non-Human Identities: A Closer Look

Alright, so you know how machines are taking over...just kidding! But seriously, they do need identities, and there's different types of 'em. Let's get into it, shall we?

• Think of service accounts as digital employees. Applications use these to interact with other systems without a human around.

• For example, a web app might use a service account to grab data from a database or process payments via a gateway.

• Now, here's the catch: these accounts often need broad permissions. If a hacker gets in, they can do serious damage, that's why least privilege is so important.

• api keys and tokens are like digital handshake. They let apps securely exchange data.

• They're essential for securing access to apis and cloud services, making sure only the right apps get in.

• Secure storage and regular rotation? Non-negotiable. Leaving these lying around is like leaving your front door unlocked.

• Machine identities are assigned to virtual machines, containers, and even those quirky iot devices.

• They're are what makes secure communication within networks possible.

• Managing all these identities, especially across different environments, can be a real headache, with machine identities increasing drastically.

So, that's a quick rundown on the main types of nhis. Next up, we'll see why managing them is so crucial.

The Cybersecurity Impact of Nhis: Why They're a Growing Concern

The fuss about securing non-human identities stems from their growing role as an attack vector, and they're often overlooked.

• Each nhi is basically a potential entry point for attackers. Think about it: every service account, api key, or machine identity is another door that needs locking.
• The sheer number of nhis makes them attractive targets, too. there's just SO MANY in most environments, it's easy for attackers to find a weak spot.
• And under-secured NHIs? Big problem. They increase the risk of unauthorized access, letting bad actors slip in and wreak havoc.

Like, imagine a hospital; if an api key used by a medical device isn't secured properly, a hacker could potentially mess with patient data or even the device itself. That's scary stuff.

According to a report facilitated by the Cloud Security Alliance, 1 in 5 organizations have already experienced an nhi-related security incident (The ROI of NHI security: Why investing in machine identity protection ...) 20% of Organizations Have Experienced a Non-Human Identity Security Incident - Cyber Defense Magazine reports on a study about the prevalence of NHI security incidents.

See, it's not just a theoretical risk. It's happening, and it's happening now. Managing nhis properly is super important for keeping your systems safe and sound.

Privileged Access and Lateral Movement with NHIs

So, you've got all these nhis running around, but what happens when one of them gets compromised? That's where privileged access and lateral movement come into play, and it's a big deal for nhis.

• Privileged Access: Many nhis, especially service accounts, are granted elevated privileges to perform their tasks. If an attacker gains control of such an account, they can access sensitive systems or data that a regular user wouldn't be able to. Think of it like giving a janitor a master key to the entire building – useful, but dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands.
• Lateral Movement: Once an attacker has compromised an nhi with privileged access, they can use that foothold to move across your network. They might exploit other nhis or even human accounts to gain access to more systems, escalating their privileges and expanding their reach. It's like a domino effect, where one compromised nhi can lead to a much larger breach.

The challenge is that nhis often operate in the background, making their privileged activities harder to monitor than those of human users. This makes them prime targets for attackers looking for an easy way to bypass security controls.

Core Challenges in Managing Non-Human Identities

Are you drowning in a sea of nhis? It's a real problem, and if you're not careful, your security will sink fast.

• Identity sprawl is especially tough in cloud setups. Like, you got all these microservices and containers popping up, and each one needs its own nhi. Managing all of them? A nightmare.
• NHIs are often created and forgotten, which leads to a build-up of unused tokens. Think of it like digital hoarding—unused credentials piling up, creating vulnerabilities.
• Lack of centralized oversight means hidden dangers and more chances for unauthorized access. It's like not knowing who has keys to your house, except it's your whole network.

It's all too easy to create nhis and then just...forget about them. They’re just sitting there, unused and unmonitored, waiting for trouble. And without a central place to keep an eye on things, those vulnerabilities are just gonna keep piling up. The solution lies in implementing robust security strategies.

Key Strategies for Securing Non-Human Identities

Think securing nhis is optional? Think again! Without the right protections, you're basically leaving the back door wide open. Let's get to it.

• The Principle of Least Privilege (POLP): Only give nhis the minimum permissions they need, and nothing more. This reduces the attack surface and stops unnecessary access. For instance, a payment processing service should only have access to transaction data, not customer profiles.
• Regular Audits and Reviews: Don't just set it and forget it. Regularly check nhi access to prevent excessive permissions. See if any accounts are over-privileged and revoke those unused permissions! It's like spring cleaning for your security setup.
• Identity Lifecycle Management: Manage nhis from cradle to grave. Provision them carefully, review their permissions regularly, and promptly deactivate those unused accounts. This stops identity sprawl and makes sure only active identities can access resources. For example, when an application is decommissioned, its service account should be, too.
• Continuous Behavioral Monitoring: Keep an eye on what your nhis are up to. Establish a baseline of normal behavior and set alerts for anything weird. This can help you quickly spot and respond to unauthorized access, giving critical resources added protection.
• Token and Certificate Management: This is crucial. You need to secure storage, implement regular rotation, and use encryption for your api keys and certificates. Think of them like digital passports – they need to be valid and protected.
• Centralized Identity Management: Having a single pane of glass to manage all your nhis is essential. This helps with visibility, control, and consistency across your environment.
• Secure Coding Practices: Build security into your applications from the start. This includes properly handling credentials and avoiding hardcoded secrets.

These are some of the key strategies to get your nhi security in order.

Practical Steps for Incorporating Non-Human Identity Security

Okay, so you're ready to get serious about nhi security? Good, because it's not exactly optional anymore. Let's get into some practical steps you can take to make it happen.

• Centralizing identity lifecycle management is key. Don't let those nhis run wild across different environments. You want a single place to track 'em, manage permissions, and keep things consistent, ya know?
• Effective token and certificate management is a must. Secure storage, regular rotation, encryption – the whole shebang. You don't want those api keys floating around like unsecured wifi signals; and remember POLP!
• Integrate with security frameworks like Zero Trust, iam, and ciem. It's all about strict access controls and continuous verification.

Think of it like this: you wouldn't leave all the doors and windows open in your house, right? Same goes for your nhis.

Centralizing Identity Lifecycle Management for NHIs

Let's talk about getting a handle on all those nhis. Centralizing identity lifecycle management is pretty much the bedrock of keeping things secure and organized.

When you don't have a central system, nhis can easily get out of hand. They're created for one-off tasks and then just… linger. This leads to what we call identity sprawl, where you have countless unused or forgotten nhis scattered across your systems. It's a security nightmare waiting to happen.

A centralized approach means you have one place to:

• Provisioning: Create new nhis with the right permissions from the get-go.
• Monitoring: Keep track of what each nhi is doing and if it's behaving normally.
• Auditing: Regularly review who has access to what and if those permissions are still necessary.
• De-provisioning: When an nhi is no longer needed, you can promptly and securely remove it.

This not only reduces the attack surface but also makes your security operations much more efficient. It's about bringing order to the chaos of nhis.

Future Trends in Non-Human Identity Management

Okay, so what's next for nhi management? It's not just about keeping up, it's about getting ahead and staying secure.

• Using ai to detect anomalous nhi behavior is going to be huge. Think about it: ai can learn what's normal for each nhi and flag anything that looks fishy, like a service account suddenly accessing sensitive data it normally doesn't.

• Automating nhi lifecycle management tasks is another area where ai will shine. ai can help with provisioning, deprovisioning, and permission management, making sure nhis only have the access they need, when they need it.

• Integrating nhi security into devsecops practices is key. Security can't be an afterthought; it needs to be baked into the development process from the start.

• Automating security checks in ci/cd pipelines will help catch vulnerabilities early. Think of it as a safety net, catching mistakes before they make it into production.

Basically, these trends? They're all about making nhi management smarter and more automated. It's a good thing, considering that 1 in 5 organizations have already experienced an nhi security incident. It's time to get proactive, ya know?

So, securing those nhis? It's only gonna get more important, is all I'm saying.