Mastering Non-Human Identities: Essential Security Insights for 2026

Executive Summary

In 2026, securing non-human identities (NHIs) is crucial, with 68% of IT security incidents linked to these digital credentials. NHIs, including OAuth tokens and service accounts, vastly outnumber human identities, creating unique security challenges. Traditional security measures falter as NHIs operate continually and bypass standard protocols. Understanding and managing NHIs is vital to thwart breaches, especially with recent events like the Salesloft-Drift incident that affected over 700 enterprises.

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Key Insights

Understanding Non-Human Identities

• NHIs are digital credentials that authenticate machines, applications, and services, operating outside traditional identity and access management (IAM) controls.
• They include OAuth tokens, API keys, and AI agents, highlighting a shift in the security landscape.

Growing Prevalence of NHIs

• NHIs outnumber human identities by a staggering 25 to 50 times in modern enterprises, escalating as organizations adopt AI technology.
• This rapid growth necessitates more robust security measures tailored for these unique entities.

Challenges with Traditional Security Measures

• Traditional security controls are inadequate for NHIs, which can bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA) and operate without normal behavioral patterns.
• They can persist indefinitely without proper lifecycle management, increasing vulnerability.

Risks Associated with Token Abuse

• Exploitation of OAuth refresh tokens and service accounts can lead to lateral movement across SaaS supply chains, as evidenced by the recent Salesloft-Drift breach.
• The breach affected over 700 companies, underscoring the urgent need for effective NHI management strategies.

Behavioral Detection Limitations

• Relying solely on behavioral detection systems may not effectively mitigate risks posed by NHIs due to their distinct operational patterns.
• Security teams must develop more proactive measures to safeguard against potential exploits and breaches.

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