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<h2>How Can Organizations Improve Their Security with Non-Human Identities?</h2><p>Imagine where the number of digital identities far exceeds that of human identities? This situation is a reality where Non-Human Identities (NHIs) are becoming increasingly prevalent. These machine identities, which are critical for various cybersecurity processes, require robust management to ensure the security and efficiency of cloud environments.</p><h3>Understanding Non-Human Identities</h3><p>NHIs operate by using “Secrets”—encrypted passwords, tokens, or keys—to identify and authenticate themselves across systems. This combination not only serves as a unique identifier but also dictates the level of access each identity has. In a way, these secrets act like digital passports granting access across digital borders, with permissions acting as visas. Managing these identities and their secrets is pivotal for securing both the digital identities and their access credentials.</p><h3>The Significance of NHI Management</h3><p>Effective NHI management involves a holistic approach to securing machine identities. It emphasizes addressing all lifecycle stages, from discovery and classification to threat detection and remediation. The contrast between comprehensive NHI management platforms and point solutions, such as secret scanners, is stark. The latter offers limited protection and fails to provide the level of context-aware security necessary.</p><h3>Benefits of NHI Management</h3><p>Organizations can reap considerable benefits from managing NHIs effectively:</p><ul>
<li><strong>Reduced Risk:</strong> By proactively identifying and mitigating security risks, NHI management helps reduce the likelihood of breaches and data leaks.</li>
<li><strong>Improved Compliance:</strong> It helps organizations meet regulatory requirements through policy enforcement and audit trails.</li>
<li><strong>Increased Efficiency:</strong> Automating NHIs and secrets management allows security teams to focus on strategic initiatives.</li>
<li><strong>Enhanced Visibility and Control:</strong> A centralized view offers comprehensive access management and governance.</li>
<li><strong>Cost Savings:</strong> Operational costs reduce by automating secrets rotation and NHIs decommissioning.</li>
</ul><h3>Case Studies: The Critical Nature of NHI Management</h3><p>Various industries, including financial services, healthcare, travel, DevOps, and SOC teams, highlight the critical need for NHI management. For instance, the financial sector constantly faces a barrage of cyber threats that target both human and non-human identities. Companies implementing effective NHI management strategies have noted significant reductions in unauthorized access and data breaches.</p><p>In healthcare, where sensitive data is a prime target, robust NHI management helps <a href="https://entro.security/blog/secrets-security-and-soc2-compliance/">ensure compliance with regulatory standards</a>. The automation of secrets and identity management translates into fewer human errors and enhanced data integrity, ultimately safeguarding patient data.</p><p>Similarly, DevOps teams, which often operate in agile environments, benefit from streamlined processes that reduce operational bottlenecks. The automation of secrets management ensures that DevOps can continue to innovate without compromising security standards.</p><h3>Enhancing NHI Management with AI</h3><p>Artificial intelligence is becoming an indispensable tool in the cybersecurity toolbox. By leveraging AI, organizations can significantly enhance their cloud secrets management. AI enables the automation of discovery, classification, and monitoring tasks that would otherwise be cumbersome and error-prone if handled manually.</p><p>Intelligent algorithms can quickly detect unusual patterns or inconsistencies that might indicate potential security threats. This allows for rapid response and remediation, minimizing the potential impact of a breach. With AI handling routine security tasks, cybersecurity professionals can focus on more strategic areas, improving overall security posture and efficiency.</p><p>Moreover, AI’s role in decision intelligence, as discussed in a <a href="https://www.sap.com/research/ai-enabled-cx-turning-heads" rel="noopener">recent study by SAP</a>, showcases its potential to transform cloud security strategies. By enhancing decision-making processes, AI enables organizations to adopt more sophisticated security measures that adapt to evolving threats.</p><h3>Creating a Secure Cloud Environment</h3><p>Collaboration between security and R&D teams can bridge existing security gaps. A secure cloud environment must cater to both teams’ needs, ensuring that security doesn’t stifle innovation. Implementing NHI management strategies that incorporate AI can connect these traditionally siloed groups, fostering an environment where both security and development thrive.</p><p>While the primary focus is on ensuring robust security, the implementation of AI-enhanced NHI management can also improve other business aspects. For example, by <a href="https://www.solidworks.com/lp/evolve-your-design-workflows-ai" rel="noopener">evolving design workflows</a> with AI, organizations can optimize processes, reduce costs, and enhance productivity.</p><p>Effective management of NHIs not only safeguards digital assets but also strengthens the overall security framework. Organizations that embrace these advancements will be better positioned to mitigate risks, meet compliance standards, and maintain a competitive edge.</p><p>Understanding and managing the interplay between NHIs, secrets, and AI will be crucial for organizations aiming for robust security and enhanced operational efficiency.</p><h2>Bridging the Gap Between Security and Development</h2><p>Have you ever wondered why gaps still exist between security and R&D teams despite technological advancements? One of the primary reasons is the distinct focus of each group. Security teams prioritize protecting information, whereas R&D aims to innovate and accelerate product development. Integrating Non-Human Identity (NHI) management into this dynamic is crucial, where it can bridge this gap, creating a unified approach that satisfies both security and innovation needs.</p><h3>Cross-Functional Collaboration</h3><p>To efficiently manage NHIs, organizations should foster collaboration between security and R&D teams. This collaboration ensures that security measures are an integral part of the development process rather than an afterthought. By adopting a security-first approach, development teams can integrate robust security measures into the design phase, reducing vulnerabilities from the outset.</p><p>NHI management platforms provide a comprehensive overview that can be shared across departments, enabling informed decision-making. For instance, insights into usage patterns and potential vulnerabilities can drive strategic discussions that align both teams’ goals. Such collaboration not only enhances security but also streamlines workflows, benefiting the entire organization.</p><h3>Integration with DevOps</h3><p>Incorporating NHI management into DevOps processes is increasingly important when organizations embrace agile methodologies. By automating secrets management and integrating it into CI/CD pipelines, DevOps teams can maintain security without sacrificing speed. This integration helps eliminate manual configurations, which are prone to errors, and ensures that security controls are consistently applied across environments.</p><p>Moreover, automation reduces the complexity of managing NHIs in dynamic environments, facilitating smoother scaling and resource allocation. As a result, organizations can maintain robust security postures even amid rapid development cycles.</p><h3>Real-World Impact: Enhancing Cloud Security</h3><p>The pivot towards cloud computing has drastically transformed the way businesses operate, and securing these environments has become paramount. By managing NHIs and secrets effectively, organizations can secure their cloud infrastructures against unauthorized access and data breaches.</p><p>An interesting case study involves a healthcare provider that, by implementing comprehensive NHI management tools, was able to safeguard patient information stored in the cloud. From onboarding through decommissioning, the entire lifecycle of machine identities was managed effectively, leading to fewer data breaches and improved trust among patients and regulators alike.</p><p>Additionally, a prominent financial services firm, by utilizing AI-powered NHI management, achieved remarkable improvements in threat detection and response times. AI’s capability to learn from existing data patterns and predict threats enables such organizations to adapt to changing threats swiftly and effectively.</p><h3>Innovative Technologies on the Horizon</h3><p>With technologies continue to evolve, organizations must continuously adapt their security strategies to protect NHIs more effectively. Quantum computing, for instance, poses both opportunities and challenges. While it offers advanced computational capabilities, it also presents potential risks to current encryption methods.</p><p>To stay ahead, organizations should consider exploring quantum-safe encryption techniques to ensure the security of NHIs in the future. Proactive research and development can help enterprises adapt to emerging technologies, ensuring that they remain secure and competitive.</p><p>Machine learning (ML) and predictive analytics are other areas worth exploring. By leveraging ML, organizations can identify patterns and predict potential vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Integrating these advancements into NHI management systems allows organizations to respond proactively to emerging threats.</p><h3>Building a Sustainable Cybersecurity Culture</h3><p>Creating a cybersecurity-conscious organizational culture is crucial for the successful management of NHIs. Employees must be educated about the importance of machine identities and their role in maintaining security. Regular training sessions and awareness initiatives can cultivate a security-first mindset across the organization.</p><p>Leadership must also champion these initiatives, ensuring that security is prioritized at all levels. By setting an example, leaders can instill a culture of vigilance and accountability, driving the adoption of robust security practices.</p><p>Furthermore, organizations should establish clear policies and procedures that govern the creation, use, and decommissioning of NHIs. A well-defined framework, supported by automated tools, ensures consistent application of security measures, reducing the risk of discrepancies and vulnerabilities.</p><p>With digital evolves, organizations must adopt comprehensive strategies for managing Non-Human Identities to protect their digital assets effectively. By embracing collaboration, technological innovation, and cultivating a cybersecurity-driven culture, enterprises can ensure robust security that supports their growth and innovation goals. Implementing effective NHI management practices not only reduces the risk of breaches but also facilitates compliance, operational efficiency, and cost savings.</p><p>For more information on securing non-human identities, you can explore our detailed <a href="https://entro.security/blog/use-case-secure-non-human-identities/">use case</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://entro.security/how-is-ai-improving-the-management-of-cloud-secrets/">How is AI improving the management of cloud secrets</a> appeared first on <a href="https://entro.security/">Entro</a>.</p><div class="spu-placeholder" style="display:none"></div><div class="addtoany_share_save_container addtoany_content addtoany_content_bottom"><div class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_20 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://securityboulevard.com/2026/01/how-is-ai-improving-the-management-of-cloud-secrets/" data-a2a-title="How is AI improving the management of cloud secrets"><a class="a2a_button_twitter" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fsecurityboulevard.com%2F2026%2F01%2Fhow-is-ai-improving-the-management-of-cloud-secrets%2F&linkname=How%20is%20AI%20improving%20the%20management%20of%20cloud%20secrets" title="Twitter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_linkedin" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/linkedin?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fsecurityboulevard.com%2F2026%2F01%2Fhow-is-ai-improving-the-management-of-cloud-secrets%2F&linkname=How%20is%20AI%20improving%20the%20management%20of%20cloud%20secrets" title="LinkedIn" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fsecurityboulevard.com%2F2026%2F01%2Fhow-is-ai-improving-the-management-of-cloud-secrets%2F&linkname=How%20is%20AI%20improving%20the%20management%20of%20cloud%20secrets" title="Facebook" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_reddit" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/reddit?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fsecurityboulevard.com%2F2026%2F01%2Fhow-is-ai-improving-the-management-of-cloud-secrets%2F&linkname=How%20is%20AI%20improving%20the%20management%20of%20cloud%20secrets" title="Reddit" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_email" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fsecurityboulevard.com%2F2026%2F01%2Fhow-is-ai-improving-the-management-of-cloud-secrets%2F&linkname=How%20is%20AI%20improving%20the%20management%20of%20cloud%20secrets" title="Email" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share"></a></div></div><p class="syndicated-attribution">*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from <a href="https://entro.security/">Entro</a> authored by <a href="https://securityboulevard.com/author/0/" title="Read other posts by Alison Mack">Alison Mack</a>. 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