How the explosion of non-human identities is changing cybersecurity

A quiet transformation is reshaping enterprise cybersecurity. Many organisations don’t realise that an increasing volume of digital interactions now happens between machines — automated systems, APIs, bots and IoT devices — not humans. This surge in machine-to machine communication and non-human identities is transforming the landscape, introducing a new set of challenges for businesses to navigate.

Non-human identities often have elevated privileges and access to critical systems. Compromised credentials or poorly managed API keys can open doors to attackers, enabling them to move laterally across networks, escalate access or disrupt operations.

And the issue is accelerating — IoT devices are expected to reach 75 billion globally this year, amplifying the potential attack surface exponentially.

A recent report by Delinea — ‘Why CISOs Must Prioritise a Strong Identity Security Strategy’ — highlights these emerging risks and underscores the growing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) to address them. An overwhelming 94% of surveyed organisations plan to adopt AI-driven identity technologies, with over half already making progress.

How AI can transform identity security

AI is uniquely equipped to tackle the complexity of managing and securing non-human identities. Its ability to process vast amounts of data in real time enables organisations to monitor and identify anomalies more effectively. Whether it’s detecting an unusual API call or flagging suspicious activity from a privileged account, AI ensures faster responses to potential breaches.

Beyond detection, AI automates identity governance and enforces security policies at scale. This is critical as non-human identities proliferate, making manual oversight impractical. By streamlining these processes, AI not only reduces operational burden but also helps close security gaps before they can be exploited.

The broader trends

This focus on AI aligns with broader efforts to strengthen identity security as organisations face a more complex threat landscape. Cyber attacks targeting credentials remain one of the most common entry points for breaches, accounting for nearly 44% of data breach costs in 2024. Addressing these vulnerabilities has become essential for business continuity.

The trend toward hybrid work and multi-cloud environments is further driving investment in identity and access management (IAM) technologies. With employees, contractors and automated systems connecting from dispersed locations, maintaining visibility and control over access is more critical than ever.

In addition to securing identities, businesses are prioritising integration and efficiency. Identity solutions that work seamlessly across cloud and on-premises environments are in high demand, with 88% of organisations considering consolidating IAM vendors in the next year. Consolidation allows for centralised management, better monitoring and more streamlined operations.

This is a strategic shift. Businesses now view identity security as a cornerstone of resilience. By reducing risks, enhancing compliance and fostering trust, strong identity practices are becoming essential to maintaining competitive advantage in an increasingly interconnected world.

The future of security

As digital ecosystems grow more complex, the ability to secure non-human identities will be a defining challenge. AI offers a path forward, providing not just better protection but also the agility to adapt to new threats.

By embracing AI, organisations can transform identity security from a potential weak link into a competitive advantage. The future of cybersecurity will be defined by how well we manage these new frontlines, and AI is the key to meeting the challenge.

*Norbert Kiss is Senior Vice President for Delinea APAC.

Image credit: iStock.com/ArtemisDiana