Securing a company’s systems used to be about securing the “perimeter,” with firewalls keeping everything inside safe. However, the shift to distributed cloud environments and remote access has dissolved the perimeter, making identity the new battleground.
In the era of “zero trust,” every access request must be authenticated, authorized, and continuously validated, regardless of its origin. This approach places identity at the core of enterprise security.
The Dual Nature of Identity
Identity encompasses both human access privileges and non-human identities (NHIs), such as servers and apps. Managing NHIs presents unique challenges, as they lack traditional security measures, can be created at any time, and are often over-privileged and outdated.
Mismanaged identities, especially NHIs, are now the root cause of many security incidents, highlighting the need for a proactive approach to identity management.
The High Cost of Inaction: Real-World Breaches
Multiple high-profile breaches have shown the devastating consequences of compromised NHIs. Organizations need to address identity-related security breaches, as they are the number one vector for cyberattacks.
Addressing mismanaged identities, particularly NHIs, requires a combination of immediate actions and long-term strategies to mitigate risks effectively.
Getting a Grip on NHIs, Starting with Secrets Security
Organizations must prioritize secrets security to gain control over NHIs. Establishing comprehensive visibility, streamlining remediation processes, and integrating with identity and secrets systems are key steps in this journey.
By shifting focus from perimeter-based security to secrets security, organizations can significantly reduce their attack surface and enhance their overall security posture.
Adopting a proactive approach to secrets security is crucial in today’s complex and evolving threat landscape. Organizations can start this journey today with tools like GitGuardian.
