In the realm of digital identities, organizations are facing a growing concern over identity security risks. The latest research indicates that many businesses are grappling with frequent breaches and insufficient security measures, particularly in relation to machine identities. Despite heightened efforts and awareness, persistent issues such as compromised credentials and complex system vulnerabilities continue to pose significant challenges.
One of the key issues highlighted in recent reports is the proliferation of non-human identities (NHIs). According to the Entro Security 2025 State of Non-Human Identities and Secrets in Cybersecurity report, 97% of NHIs have excessive privileges, leading to unauthorized access and expanding the attack surface. Additionally, 92% of organizations expose NHIs to third parties, potentially resulting in unauthorized access if third-party security practices do not align with organizational standards. Furthermore, the report reveals that 71% of non-human identities are not rotated within recommended time frames, increasing the risk of compromise over time.
In a separate study by IDSA on the Trends in Identity Security in May 2024, it was found that 22% of businesses rank managing and securing digital identities as the top priority of their security program, up from 17% in 2023. Moreover, 89% of organizations express concern about employees using corporate credentials for social media, highlighting the importance of maintaining secure identity practices. The report also notes that 96% of respondents believe that AI/ML technology will be beneficial in addressing identity-related challenges, with 71% highlighting its potential in identifying outlier behaviors.
Another significant issue outlined in the CyberArk 2024 Identity Security Threat Landscape Report is the lack of essential security controls in machine identities, posing a major threat to organizations. The report reveals that 93% of organizations experienced two or more identity-related breaches in the past year, indicating the pressing need for improved security measures in this area. Additionally, 50% of organizations expect identities to grow exponentially in the next 12 months, with 61% defining a privileged user as human-only, emphasizing the need for better management of machine identities.
Furthermore, the ConductorOne 2024 Identity Security Outlook Report sheds light on how technological complexity drives a new wave of identity risks for organizations. Survey respondents highlighted challenges such as the complexity of existing systems, employees’ resistance to change, and limitations due to available tools as key obstacles in identity and access management. The report also notes that 47% of respondents believe that their company’s identity security strategy and access policies hinder team productivity, with 84% reporting an increase in budget allocation for identity and access-related products this year.
In the realm of consumer online identity fraud, the Jumio 2024 Online Identity Study reveals that fraud remains a prevalent issue globally, with 68% of respondents reporting experiences of online fraud or identity theft. The study also highlights consumer perceptions on identity verification methods, with a majority favoring methods such as taking a picture of their ID and a live selfie for accurate verification.
Addressing concerns around identity fraud protection, the Ping Identity report emphasizes the challenges organizations face with identity verification and the increasing threat of credential compromise and account takeover. Only 45% of organizations currently use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to protect against fraud, highlighting the need for stronger security measures in this area. Additionally, concerns about AI technology increasing identity fraud and the detection of deepfakes remain prevalent among survey respondents.
Moreover, the Expel Annual Threat Report 2024 underscores the prevalence of malicious logins from suspicious infrastructure in identity-based incidents, with a notable increase in volume compared to previous years. The report reveals that identity-based incidents accounted for a significant portion of all incidents investigated by the Expel SOC, highlighting the urgency of addressing security risks associated with identity fraud.
Lastly, the Regula Identity Verification in a Globalized World report emphasizes the amplified identity fraud risks posed by digital nomads, with a notable increase in fraud associated with the digital nomad movement. The report highlights the challenges faced by organizations in verifying identities for digital nomads and the rise in forged or counterfeited documents, particularly in industries like insurance and financial services.
Overall, these reports underscore the pressing need for organizations to enhance their identity security measures, address vulnerabilities in machine identities, and implement stronger security controls to mitigate identity-related risks effectively. As the digital landscape evolves, organizations must remain vigilant in safeguarding their digital identities to protect against the growing threats posed by identity fraud and cyberattacks.