Are identities and credentials the same thing?

Read full article here: https://www.unosecur.com/blog/identity-vs-credentials-a-managers-guide-to-protecting-every-identity/?utm_source=nhimg

Between January and June 2025, Unosecur conducted security posture assessments for 169 organizations worldwide. A single question came up repeatedly in post-assessment reviews:

“Are identities and credentials the same thing?”

The answer is no — and confusing the two is one of the most common and costly mistakes in cybersecurity.

Identity is the permanent record — the “who.”
Credentials are the proof — the “how.”

When organizations blur this distinction, they invite privilege misuse, account takeovers, and audit chaos. This guide explains the difference between identity and credentials, why it matters, the operational fallout when they’re mixed up, and how modern organizations like those using Unosecur protect both — keeping logins effortless yet uncompromisingly secure.

Identity vs. Credentials — TL;DR

• Are credentials and identity the same thing?
  No. Identity is the enduring record; credentials are the proof presented at login.
• What happens if a credential is stolen?
  You can revoke the credential without deleting the underlying identity, limiting impact and downtime.
• How does Unosecur strengthen identity security?
  By continuously discovering, assessing, and monitoring every credential — responding instantly to anomalies.

What Are Credentials in Cybersecurity?

In cybersecurity, credentials refer to any information or object used to verify identity and grant access to digital systems. They are the “keys” that unlock sensitive networks, databases, and services.

Common Credential Types

• Usernames and passwords — the classic pair for basic authentication.
• Tokens and OTPs — temporary codes that verify active user sessions.
• Biometric data — fingerprints, face scans, or voice patterns.
• Digital certificates — PKI-based credentials authenticating devices or users.
• Smart cards — physical tokens for secure workplace access.
• API keys and OAuth tokens — credentials for service-to-service communication.
• Cryptographic keys — for encryption, signing, and verifying authenticity.

Why Credentials Matter

Credentials underpin every access decision. They enable:

• Authentication: Confirming that the actor is who they claim to be.
• Access control: Determining what systems or data can be reached.
• Accountability: Maintaining auditable records of user actions.
• Security assurance: Preventing unauthorized access to critical assets.

Identity vs. Credentials: The Critical Differences

Although used together, identity and credentials serve distinct functions within the Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) framework.

In short:
Identity declares who you are; credentials prove it.

This separation is not just academic — it’s operationally essential. When credentials are compromised, security teams can revoke access without deleting the user’s identity record, keeping both business and security continuity intact.

The Fallout of Mixing Up Identities and Credentials

Treating identity and credentials as one creates a perfect storm for attackers. Here’s what typically goes wrong:

1. Account Compromise: Stolen credentials allow attackers to impersonate legitimate users.
2. Weak Authentication Practices: Poor password hygiene and lack of MFA multiply risk.
3. Access Control Gaps: Systems granting access based solely on credentials can’t verify legitimacy.
4. Detection Blind Spots: If credentials aren’t tied to unique identities, anomaly detection fails.
5. Audit Failures: Without clear identity-credential mapping, “who did what” becomes untraceable.
6. Lifecycle Oversight: Orphaned credentials persist long after offboarding, creating backdoors.

The result? Increased data breaches, regulatory non-compliance, and operational disruption.

How Modern Organizations Balance Security and Usability

Security leaders increasingly adopt “smart friction” — adding layered protections that stay invisible to trusted users while blocking risk in real time.

Modern Credential Defense Practices

• Passwordless Sign-In: Replace passwords with device-bound passkeys or biometrics.
• Adaptive Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Triggered only on suspicious devices or behavior.
• Single Sign-On (SSO): Unified authentication across platforms under central policy control.
• Short-Lived Tokens: Using time-bound OAuth or OpenID tokens to reduce credential exposure.
• Continuous Anomaly Detection: Monitoring sign-ins for privilege escalation or location anomalies.
• Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP): Access is temporary and scoped to the minimum necessary.

This combination ensures frictionless access for employees and zero tolerance for attackers.

How Unosecur Keeps Every Credential in Check

Unosecur provides a unified, data-driven approach to Identity-Defined Security through three integrated capabilities:

1. Agentless Discovery

Unosecur connects directly to native APIs across:

• Identity providers: Okta, Entra ID, Active Directory.
• Cloud platforms: AWS, Azure, GCP.
• SaaS systems: Slack, Microsoft 365, GitHub, ServiceNow.

It automatically inventories every account — human and non-human — along with all associated credentials: passwords, MFA setups, service tokens, SSH keys, and certificates.

2. Identity Security Posture Management (ISPM)

ISPM continuously evaluates connected systems for drift.

• Detects privilege escalation or missing MFA.
• Flags expired or non-rotated secrets.
• Automates remediation or escalation via Unosecur’s IAMOps builder.

3. Identity Threat Detection & Response (ITDR)

Unosecur’s ITDR engine ingests real-time sign-in and API activity, mapping every action to the credential that authorized it.
It detects:

• Privilege jumps
• Impossible travel patterns
• Bursts of abnormal access activity

When risk crosses policy thresholds, automated playbooks trigger rotation, isolation, or suspension — instantly and without manual intervention.

End Result

With discovery, posture management, and threat detection sharing a single data model, security teams gain complete visibility into every credential, its owner, and its operational impact. Compromised credentials can be revoked or rotated safely, maintaining uptime and security integrity.

Conclusion

In the era of identity-first security, confusing identities and credentials is no longer a harmless oversight — it’s an open invitation for attackers.

Organizations that distinguish, monitor, and protect both elements gain greater control, resilience, and auditability. Platforms like Unosecur operationalize that separation — giving managers the unified view they need to protect every identity, every credential, and every login.