IP address visibility and network trust: what changes for IAM teams?

TL;DR: IP addresses are public identifiers tied to devices and locations, which makes them useful for connectivity but also exposes privacy and targeting risk, according to DigiCert. For identity teams, the issue is less about finding an address and more about deciding what trust, telemetry, and controls should follow from it.

NHIMG editorial — based on content published by DigiCert: How Can I Find Out My IP Address?

Questions worth separating out

Q: How should security teams use IP addresses in access decisions?

A: Use IP addresses as contextual evidence, not as proof of identity.

Q: Why do public IP addresses create security risk even without a breach?

A: Public IP addresses can expose location, hosting patterns, and reachable services, which gives attackers useful reconnaissance data.

Q: What do teams get wrong about using VPNs for security?

A: Teams often treat VPNs as proof that a connection is trustworthy.

Practitioner guidance

• Separate identity assurance from network context Use IP address information only as one signal in access decisions.
• Review where public IP exposure is operationally necessary Limit unnecessary disclosure of public IPs in admin portals, support workflows, and troubleshooting exchanges.
• Replace static IP allow lists with layered policy Use network controls as a guardrail, not a sole gate.

What's in the full article

DigiCert's full blog post covers the operational detail this post intentionally leaves for the source:

• Step-by-step instructions for locating public and local IP addresses on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Command-line examples such as ipconfig, hostname -I, and curl ifconfig.me for troubleshooting workflows.
• A plain-language explanation of how DNS security relates to IP-driven infrastructure and network protection.
• The article's consumer-facing guidance on privacy, geofencing, and everyday connectivity checks.

👉 Read DigiCert's guide to finding your IP address and securing network privacy →

IP address visibility and network trust: what changes for IAM teams?

Explore further

View Full Forum →  |  NHI Foundation Course →