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/?source=nhimg

While identity represents a permanent profile (who you are: name, role, employee ID), credentials are the proofs (passwords, tokens, keys) that you present to access systems. When organizations blur this distinction, they weaken authentication, mismanage access controls, and create blind spots that attackers exploit.

This article explains the critical difference between identities and credentials, why separating them is essential for cybersecurity, and how modern organizations protect both without adding user friction. You’ll learn:

• What credentials are in cybersecurity and the types that need protection (passwords, API keys, tokens, biometrics, etc.)

• Why confusing identity and credentials leads to breaches, weak access controls, and audit failures

• Lifecycle management differences — identities are long-term records; credentials churn and must be rotated, revoked, or renewed

• How “identity-aware” credential management enables quick containment when credentials are compromised, without disrupting business operations

• Modern strategies for balancing strong credential security with user convenience — like passwordless authentication, adaptive MFA, and Zero Standing Privilege (ZSP)

Finally, the article outlines how Unosecur’s platform delivers end-to-end visibility, posture management, and real-time detection for all credentials across human and non-human identities, making identity-defined security an operational reality.