Cloud environments are inherently dynamic, with many VMs, containers, applications and other computing resources constantly interacting. To keep these connections secure, machine identity management is crucial.
In the cloud, it’s implemented using certificate management tools (like AWS Certificate Manager), service meshes (like Istio) and centralized identity services (like One Identity). These tools automate the creation, rotation and validation of machine identities.
Cloud-native machine identities are often known as managed identities. Managed identities are automatically provisioned and rotated by cloud-based identity services.
Machine identities are used across enterprise systems to support automated workflows. Here are some examples:
Cloud providers like Azure and AWS can assign managed identities to virtual machines. These identities allow the VM to access services like databases or storage without having to store passwords or API keys.
Machine learning models often run in isolated environments, like containers or serverless functions. These workloads use a managed identity to securely access datasets, APIs and model registries etc.
Non-human identities are identities that software components (like scripts, bots or background services) use to interact with other services. For example, a backup script can have an identity that gives it permission to access storage volumes at scheduled times.
Continuous Integration/Deployment tools can use machine identities to pull code, push containers or update infrastructure. These identities ensure that only these authorized tools are able to perform such security-critical actions.
In large-scale IoT deployments, each device is given a unique machine identity. This practice helps verify the device’s legitimacy before allowing it to connect to cloud platforms or other devices.
Owing to their widespread use in automation and their often-overlooked security risks, machine identities are prime targets for attackers. Here are some additional reasons to take machine identity management seriously:
RPA bots often handle sensitive tasks like financial operations or data provisioning. Without proper identity management, attackers could hijack these bots or impersonate them.
Tier zero assets, such as domain controllers, identity providers and security consoles, are high-value targets. Machine identities help ensure that if any non-human asset accesses these critical systems, it is specifically authorized to do so.
SSPM is used to monitor and maintain the security posture of cloud services. Machine identity management is a key part of this, as it makes sure that non-human connections are authenticated and tracked.
Hardcoded passwords or API keys in scripts and tools increase your attack surface. Machine identities remove the need for these static secrets, thereby lowering the chance of accidental exposure or theft.
If an attacker gets into one system, unmanaged machine identities can allow them to move to others. Proper identity and access controls, such as machine identities with ABAC/RBAC, limit where machines can connect, cutting off this path.
Zero trust models depend on verifying every connection, human or machine. Machine identities make it possible to enforce this for non-human users.
Gartner’s reports indicate that modern architectures are increasingly relying on machines rather than human users to perform critical operations. This shift warrants the implementation of specialized security controls for machines.
Here are the main benefits of deploying a machine identity management system:
With the rapid rise of machine adoption and automated workflows, the machine identity market is growing fast. According to Business Research Insights, the market was worth $16.97 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $48 billion by 2033.
It’s safe to say that any organization using machine-to-machine communication, even on a small scale, should have a machine identity management system in place. However, here are some scenarios where it's especially necessary:
The One Identity Unified Identity Platform simplifies how organizations manage both human and machine identities across cloud, on-premises and hybrid environments. It brings together identity security tools into one system, allowing you to:
Finally, here are some best practices to help you get the best out of your machine identity management setup:
Machine identity management is an important security mechanism that helps organizations protect automated workflows, reduce credential-related risks and enforce secure access across cloud and on-prem environments. As businesses continue to rely more on machines, containers and bots, it’s no longer optional to have a solid strategy to manage their identities – it’s a core part of modern cybersecurity.