What Are Non-Human Identities (NHIs)?

Summarize this glossary article with AI:

Ask ChatGPTAsk GrokAsk PerplexityAsk ClaudeAsk Google AI

Non-human identities (NHIs) now outnumber human users in many enterprise environments, making them a critical component of modern cybersecurity. These identities enable secure communication between systems without the need for human intervention. As organizations adopt more automation, cloud-native services, and AI-driven workflows, the number of NHIs continues to grow rapidly. Understanding the types, risks, and best practices for securing NHIs is key to protecting your infrastructure from potential threats. This glossary delves into the role of NHIs in modern cybersecurity and provides essential insights for managing these identities effectively.

Key Takeaways

• NHIs enable automated access between systems and services
• Service accounts, machine identities, and API tokens are common forms of NHIs
• Poorly managed NHIs can increase security risks and attack surfaces

What are Non-Human Identities?

Definition of NHIs

NHIs allow machines, applications, and services to authenticate and securely access systems without human involvement. Unlike human identities, which are tied to individual users, NHIs are designed for applications, automated services, and devices performing machine-driven tasks. These include machines performing automated tasks, services interacting with other services, and IoT devices transmitting data.

NHIs vs. Human vs. Robot: The Key Distinctions

A human identity is tied to a person and is typically managed by personal login credentials, while a robot identity refers to machines with the capability to perform tasks autonomously but usually still controlled by humans. Non-human identities include a broader range of non-human entities, from devices to entire automated processes, each requiring access and authorization to perform specific tasks.

Typical Types of NHIs

NHIs exist in multiple forms, each with distinct security implications. The OWASP Non-Human Identities Top 10 highlights some of the most critical categories. Key types include:

• Machine Identities: Used by devices, servers, and other machines to authenticate and securely communicate within networks. These include IoT devices and automated systems that access resources.
• Service Accounts: These are non-human accounts designed for automated services, often with elevated privileges. They enable system-level operations but can pose significant risks if mismanaged or compromised.
• API Keys and Tokens: These are used for secure communication between services and applications. They allow NHIs to interact without human intervention but require strong management to prevent unauthorized access.

The OWASP Non-Human Identities Top 10 provides further insights into the associated risks, including vulnerabilities in identity management and improper access control. Understanding these types and their risks is essential for securing NHIs.

Risks of Non-Human Identities

NHIs represent a major and often overlooked attack surface. When compromised, they can provide attackers with direct access to critical systems. While NHIs are essential for modern IT systems, they also present significant security risks if not properly managed. Here are some key risks associated with NHIs:

• Unauthorized Access: If NHIs are not properly secured, attackers can impersonate these identities to gain unauthorized access to systems. Since many NHIs, such as service accounts or API keys, have high levels of access, this can lead to data breaches or system compromise.
• Privilege Escalation: Service accounts and machine identities are often granted broad privileges to perform tasks. If attackers gain control of these accounts, they can exploit them to escalate privileges and compromise other parts of the network.
• Lack of Visibility: NHIs are often not as visible to security teams as human identities. This can make it difficult to detect suspicious activity or monitor for unauthorized use. In complex systems, NHIs can be overlooked during security audits.
• Token and Key Mismanagement: API keys, tokens, and certificates are often stored in code repositories or hard-coded into applications, making them susceptible to theft. If an attacker obtains these keys, they can bypass traditional security protocols and gain access to sensitive data or systems.

How Non-Human Identities Work

To operate securely, NHIs rely on authentication mechanisms and encrypted communication protocols.

Authentication Methods for NHIs

NHIs rely on authentication techniques like digital certificates, PKI, and tokens to ensure only authorized devices or services can access networks.

• Certificates: Used to verify devices and machines, ensuring trusted connections.
• OAuth Tokens: Secure authentication for API-based systems, allowing services to communicate without human credentials.

Communication Between Non-Human Identities

NHIs communicate over encrypted channels, such as HTTPS, APIs, or VPN-secured channels, ensuring secure, machine-to-machine interactions and API calls within a network.

Challenges in Managing Non-Human Identities

Managing non-human identities can be challenging for several reasons:

• Complexity and Diversity: From IoT devices to service accounts, the types of NHIs an organization may manage can vary greatly. Each type may require different authentication methods, security policies, and management tools.
• Lack of Visibility and Oversight: Because NHIs operate automatically and are often not actively monitored by security teams, they can fly under the radar. This lack of visibility can lead to undetected vulnerabilities.
• Vulnerability to Misuse: NHIs often carry elevated privileges, which makes them attractive targets for attackers. If compromised, these identities can be used to gain access to critical systems or sensitive data.

Effective Non-Human Identity Management

To effectively secure NHIs, organizations should focus on:

• Strong Authentication: Use strong authentication methods such as certificates and token-based authentication for secure access.
• Access Control: Use role-based access control (RBAC) to limit the scope of NHI permissions, reducing potential damage from compromises.
• Continuous Monitoring: Regular audits and monitoring help detect any unauthorized access or unusual behavior quickly.

By automating the management of NHIs with identity governance tools, and using frameworks like IAM and SIEM, businesses can better track and secure these critical identities. Additionally, regularly rotating API keys, tokens, and certificates reduces exposure risks.

Conclusion

Non-human identities are critical in today’s digital world, enabling seamless and secure automation across various systems. However, as the risks associated with NHIs grow, businesses must adopt comprehensive strategies to secure these identities. By implementing strong authentication practices, maintaining continuous oversight, and utilizing security tools, organizations can mitigate the potential risks and safeguard their infrastructure from cyber threats.