Non-Human Identity Sprawl

This article explores non-human identity (NHI) sprawl, a growing security risk where machine identities like service accounts, API keys, OAuth tokens, and AI agents outnumber human users. It defines NHI sprawl as uncontrolled accumulation of digital identities without proper governance, inventory, or lifecycle management. The guide contrasts healthy growth with sprawl, highlighting four operational gaps: no central inventory, unclear ownership, lack of lifecycle discipline, and poor visibility. It offers insights for security teams to regain control over these identities in cloud and hybrid environments, emphasizing the need for scalable governance to prevent access risks from orphaned or forgotten credentials.