Gain Full Control Over Your Digital Identities
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<h2>Why does Digital Identity Control Matter in Cybersecurity?</h2><p>Do you fully control your digital identities? Managing Non-Human Identities (NHIs) and their secrets has become a fundamental pillar in cybersecurity. NHIs, often referred to as machine identities, play an increasingly critical role in securing a robust digital infrastructure.</p><h2>Understanding Non-Human Identities (NHIs)</h2><p>Might it be possible that our comprehension of NHIs and their role in cybersecurity is quite limited? Non-human identities include machine identities and any identity that isn’t linked to a human user, encompassing APIs, microservices, bots, and more. These identities are typically configured with secrets – encrypted passwords, keys, or tokens, lending them a unique characteristic similar to a passport. Over time, these secrets acquire certain permissions, granted by a destination server, akin to a visa derived from one’s passport.</p><p>Securing NHIs and their secrets involves safeguarding not only the identities (the ‘tourists’) but also their access credentials (the ‘passport’), and scrutinizing their behaviors.</p><div class="code-block code-block-12 ai-track" data-ai="WzEyLCIiLCJCbG9jayAxMiIsIiIsMV0=" style="margin: 8px 0; clear: both;"> <style> .ai-rotate {position: relative;} .ai-rotate-hidden {visibility: hidden;} .ai-rotate-hidden-2 {position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;} .ai-list-data, .ai-ip-data, .ai-filter-check, .ai-fallback, .ai-list-block, .ai-list-block-ip, .ai-list-block-filter {visibility: hidden; position: absolute; width: 50%; height: 1px; top: -1000px; z-index: -9999; margin: 0px!important;} .ai-list-data, .ai-ip-data, .ai-filter-check, .ai-fallback {min-width: 1px;} </style> <div class="ai-rotate ai-unprocessed ai-timed-rotation ai-12-1" data-info="WyIxMi0xIiwyXQ==" style="position: relative;"> <div class="ai-rotate-option" style="visibility: hidden;" data-index="1" data-name="VGVjaHN0cm9uZyBHYW5nIFlvdXR1YmU=" data-time="MTA="> <div class="custom-ad"> <div style="margin: auto; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/Fojn5NFwaw8" target="_blank"><img src="https://securityboulevard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Techstrong-Gang-Youtube-PodcastV2-770.png" alt="Techstrong Gang Youtube"></a></div> <div class="clear-custom-ad"></div> </div></div> <div class="ai-rotate-option" style="visibility: hidden; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;" data-index="1" data-name="QVdTIEh1Yg==" data-time="MTA="> <div class="custom-ad"> <div style="margin: auto; text-align: center;"><a href="https://devops.com/builder-community-hub/?ref=in-article-ad-1&utm_source=do&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=in-article-ad-1" target="_blank"><img src="https://devops.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Gradient-1.png" alt="AWS Hub"></a></div> <div class="clear-custom-ad"></div> </div></div> </div> </div><h3>The Importance of Holistic NHI and Secrets Management</h3><p>Unlike point solutions like secret scanners, sound NHI management adopts a comprehensive approach, addressing the entirety of the lifecycle stages – from discovery and classification to threat detection and remediation. This method offers a broader scope of protection, providing insights into ownership, permissions, usage patterns, and potential vulnerabilities, enabling a context-aware security framework.</p><p>Effective NHI management is instrumental in:</p><div class="code-block code-block-15" style="margin: 8px 0; clear: both;"> <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-2091799172090865" crossorigin="anonymous" type="737ffd9ded127152f724c51f-text/javascript"></script> <!-- SB In Article Ad 1 --> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-2091799172090865" data-ad-slot="8723094367" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins> <script type="737ffd9ded127152f724c51f-text/javascript"> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div><ul> <li>Reducing Risk: By proactively identifying and mitigating security threats, thus lessening the chances of security breaches and data leaks.</li> <li>Enhancing Compliance: Facilitates meeting the regulatory demands through policy enforcement and audit trails.</li> <li>Increasing Efficiency: Automating the NHIs and secrets management tasks to free up security teams to focus on strategic initiatives.</li> <li>Improving Visibility and Control: Providing a centralized view of access management and governance.</li> <li>Cost Savings: Decreasing operational costs through automated secrets rotation and NHI decommissioning.</li> </ul><h2>Primacy of NHI Management in Cloud Security</h2><p>Can we assert that without a robust NHI management plan, organizations could face significant security challenges? When an organization ventures into the cloud, the complexity of the technical environment dramatically increases. Therefore, effective NHI management is integral for organizations operating in the cloud, as it helps to bridge the gap between security and Research & Development teams, thus creating a secure cloud.</p><p><a href="https://neo4j.com/blog/neo4j-graphql-iam-graphconnect-nyc" rel="noopener">For a wide-ranging control over cloud security</a>, organizations must adopt NHIs and Secrets management as part of their cybersecurity strategy. The use of NHIs extends far beyond the IT department, touching various industries and departments, including healthcare, financial services, travel, DevOps, and SOC teams.</p><h3>Looking Ahead</h3><p>So, how can we further strengthen our cybersecurity posture using NHI management? The role of NHIs and secrets management in cybersecurity will continue to evolve. Their strategic importance should not be underestimated. While NHIs and secrets management provides robust security measures, ongoing vigilance and a proactive approach to risk mitigation is paramount.</p><p>To gain an in-depth understanding of NHIs and the role they play in healthcare, check out <a href="https://entro.security/blog/non-human-identities-security-in-healthcare/">this article</a> on our blog. If you’d like to delve into the integration capabilities provided by Entro Wiz, have a look at <a href="https://entro.security/blog/entro-wiz-integration/">this page</a>. To comprehend how the application of AI in the challenges posed by OWASP is being addressed, explore <a href="https://entro.security/blog/agentic-ai-owasp-research/">this discussion</a>.</p><p>Understanding and efficiently managing NHIs and secrets has become an absolute necessity. Incorporating them effectively into a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy is a sure way to secure a robust digital infrastructure for the future.</p><p>The complete control of your digital identities starts with understanding the nuances that come with managing Non-Human Identities. This understanding is the key to fortified cybersecurity.</p><h2>Digital Identity Control: A Shift in Cybersecurity Approach</h2><p>Is merely defending the digital perimeter effective anymore, especially concerning the management of Non-Human Identities (NHIs)? Cybersecurity has evolved beyond traditional methods. With emergent security threats and an increasingly digital economy, organizations now need to ensure that their cybersecurity strategy is both proactive and comprehensive. Identity protection – both human users’ and Non-Human Identities – is becoming an instrumental part of this evolving approach.</p><h3>Parallels Between Human and Non-Human Identities</h3><p>Why do we even talk about Non-Human Identities? Characteristically, NHIs are parallel to human identities. The passport for human identities becomes the machine ID or secret for NHIs, while the visa-issuing process is akin to the permissions given to the NHIs by the server destination. Just as the human identities need security, similarly, NHIs need protection, primarily from misuse or exposure.</p><h3>Injection of Vulnerability into Connected Ecosystems</h3><p>Are NHIs capable of introducing vulnerabilities into an organization’s infrastructure? Indeed, this is true. Since the NHIs gain access to an organization’s network, they also leave backdoors open for malicious entities if not appropriately managed. This seamless access allows attacks to be launched from within the network, rendering perimeter defense lines futile.</p><p>According to data from <a href="https://www.weforum.org/publications/inclusive-deployment-of-blockchain-for-supply-chains-part-2-trustworthy-verification-of-digital-identities/" rel="noopener">World Economic Forum</a>, poorly managed NHIs have significantly contributed to significant data breaches in recent years, underlining the importance of thorough NHI management.</p><h2>NHI Management: A Game Changer for Cybersecurity</h2><p>How is NHI management changing current cybersecurity? NHI management plays a significant role in avoiding security gaps in sensitive sectors like healthcare, and financial services.</p><p>In sectors dealing with sensitive data, the efficient management of NHIs can significantly decrease the risk of data exposure and breaches. By addressing all the lifecycle stages of NHIs – from discovery and classification to threat detection and remediation – NHI management offers broad protection. It also enhances an organization’s capacity to comply with regulatory requirements.</p><h3>Evolving Cybersecurity Practices</h3><p>What would be the future of cybersecurity practices with the increased adoption of NHI management? As Ryan Galluzzo lights in his speech, <a href="https://authenticatecon.com/speaker/ryan-galluzzo/" rel="noopener">“The Future of Authentication”</a>, the future direction of cybersecurity practices worldwide will be an increased focus on the proactive management of threats, especially for Non-Human Identities.</p><p>Incorporating NHIs and secrets management into cybersecurity strategies will aid organizations in securing a more robust digital infrastructure. It will assure the management of permissions, access controls, and other associated risks, thereby significantly contributing to cybersecurity practices’ evolution.</p><h2>Developing Effective NHI Management Policies: A Must for Organizations</h2><p>How can organizations develop effective NHI management policies, and why is it imperative to do so? Acknowledging the inherent risks in unmanaged NHIs is the first step towards developing an effective NHI management policy. Next, organizations should identify every system component that can be categorized as an NHI, monitor their behaviors, and incorporate these details into their security policies.</p><p>Approximately 85% of organizations acknowledge having experienced an NHI-related security mishap, suggesting a dire need for more robust NHI management policies.</p><h3>Adopting Value-Based Optimization for Enhanced Results</h3><p>How is the optimization of value instrumental in leveraging the benefits of NHI management? Organizations adopting value-based optimization in NHI management will ensure that resources are deployed to tackle threats concerning their magnitude and potential impact. This strategy aids organizations in reorienting their cybersecurity strategies prudently, mitigating risks more efficiently. Implementing value-based optimization will catalyze the realization of the benefits of NHI management and lead to comprehensive cloud security control.</p><h3>Reading More on the Topic</h3><p>Any further readings to recommend for those who want to delve deeper into this topic? Sure. For in-depth information, explore the <a href="https://entro.security/blog/best-practices-for-building-an-incident-response-plan/">Best Practices for Building an Incident Response Plan</a>. For insights into how Entro bonds with SilverFort ISA for NHI security, read <a href="https://entro.security/blog/entro-joins-the-silverfort-isa/">this article</a>.</p><p>At the crux of all cybersecurity strategies lies one undeniable fact – understanding the nature of threats and adapting tactics to counter them effectively. Organizations need to align their strategies to include Non-Human Identities’ roles. NHIs and secrets management will continue to shape cybersecurity, reinforcing the need for their effective management. Implementing well-rounded strategies for NHI management will indeed pave the way for fortified cybersecurity.</p><p>The post <a href="https://entro.security/gain-full-control-over-your-digital-identities/">Gain Full Control Over Your Digital Identities</a> appeared first on <a href="https://entro.security/">Entro</a>.</p><div class="spu-placeholder" style="display:none"></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>. Read the original post at: <a href="https://entro.security/gain-full-control-over-your-digital-identities/">https://entro.security/gain-full-control-over-your-digital-identities/</a> </p>