Why Non-Human Identities Are Cybersecurity’s Most Overlooked Threat
Published: April 25, 2025
Category: Secrets Management / DevOps
When discussing identity in cybersecurity, people typically think of usernames, passwords, and the occasional multi-factor authentication prompt. However, an escalating threat lies beneath the surface, rooted in Non-Human Identities (NHIs). While security teams often equate NHIs with Service Accounts, the reality is much broader. NHIs encompass Service Principals, Snowflake Roles, IAM Roles, and platform-specific constructs across AWS, Azure, GCP, and beyond. The variability of NHIs reflects the diversity within modern tech stacks, making effective management essential.
The true risk associated with NHIs stems from their authentication methods.
Secrets: The Currency of Machines
Non-Human Identities primarily rely on secrets—API keys, tokens, certificates, and other credentials—that provide access to systems, data, and critical infrastructure.
