Top 4 Trends in Identity We Expect to See at Oktane 2024

Next week, thousands of identity practitioners, seasoned security & technology leaders, and industry experts will descend on Las Vegas, storming the halls of Caesar’s Forum for Oktane 2024. This premier identity conference will showcase cutting-edge developments, new strategies, and fresh insights into the evolving world of identity and access management (IAM).

The sessions will cover a range of topics, but four key trends are expected to emerge throughout the conversations at Oktane. From the rise of automation to the explosion of generative AI (GenAI), these trends highlight one critical element often overlooked in IAM discussions: the growing importance of Non-Human Identities (NHIs). These trends highlight the shift toward more complex identity ecosystems but also emphasize the urgent need to secure the NHIs that play an increasingly pivotal role in today’s digital landscape.

1. Increase in Automation

Automation is transforming how businesses operate, accelerating processes and reducing human error across industries. At the heart of this transformation are Non-Human Identities. Automated systems, from DevOps pipelines to customer service chatbots, rely heavily on service accounts, APIs, and machine-to-machine interactions to function seamlessly.

The rapid increase in automation means that the number of NHIs is growing exponentially. These identities often have elevated privileges or access to critical systems, making them prime targets for attackers. As automation tools proliferate, so too does the need to properly manage and secure these non-human entities. Oktane 2024 will likely focus on the best practices for automating workflows while ensuring the security of the service accounts and API connections driving these processes.

Key takeaway: Automation introduces efficiency, but also increases the volume and importance of NHIs. Securing these identities must be a top priority to prevent them from becoming a vulnerability in the automation ecosystem.

2. Integrate Everything

The modern enterprise runs on integration. From SaaS applications to on-premise systems, the drive to "integrate everything" has become a fundamental strategy for organizations looking to increase efficiency, streamline operations, and reduce silos. APIs are the glue that holds these integrations together, but they also represent a significant security risk if not properly managed.

APIs, OAuth tokens and other mechanisms for connecting disparate systems are all examples of NHIs. Each integration point relies on these non-human actors to authenticate and communicate securely. As organizations continue to expand their integrations across platforms, the management and protection of NHIs become even more critical. Failure to secure them could lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, or system compromises.

Key takeaway: The "integrate everything" trend shines a spotlight on the importance of securing the NHIs that power these connections. As integration expands, so does the potential attack surface, making NHI security an essential aspect of any integration strategy.

3. Device Posture

Device posture has become a major trend in identity security, especially as remote work and hybrid environments become the norm. Ensuring the security of the devices accessing enterprise resources is crucial in mitigating risks like phishing, malware, and unauthorized access. But what about the devices interacting with NHIs?

Consider IoT devices or machines interacting with APIs or communicating with backend systems via service accounts. These devices rely on NHIs to function properly, often with elevated permissions to critical infrastructure. If a device’s posture is compromised, it could potentially expose these non-human credentials to attackers, providing a direct path into sensitive systems.

At Oktane 2024, device posture discussions may extend to include the security of NHIs interacting with these devices, emphasizing the need to secure not just the endpoints but the non-human entities that connect through them.

Key takeaway: Device posture is not just about protecting human users. Securing the devices that interact with NHIs is critical to maintaining a strong security posture across the organization.

4. GenAI Takeover

Generative AI (GenAI) is taking the tech world by storm, revolutionizing everything from customer support to software development. As these AI-driven tools become integral to business operations, they bring with them a unique set of security challenges—particularly when it comes to NHIs.

AI models, bots, and assistants rely on automation and machine-to-machine interactions to perform their functions. This requires NHIs, like API keys and service accounts, to access data, communicate with other systems, and make decisions. As GenAI adoption accelerates, so too does the need to ensure that the NHIs enabling these AI systems are properly secured. Compromised NHIs could allow attackers to manipulate AI outputs or access sensitive information through AI-driven systems.

Key takeaway: As GenAI continues to rise, so does the importance of securing the NHIs that power these intelligent systems. AI might be the future, but it’s underpinned by non-human actors that need strong security protocols to ensure safe and reliable operation.

Conclusion: NHI Security Must Be a Top Priority

The trends we expect to dominate Oktane 2024—automation, integration, device posture, and GenAI—are all tightly intertwined with the proliferation of Non-Human Identities. NHIs are no longer an abstract concept; they’re critical actors in today’s digital ecosystem, driving innovation and enabling the technologies shaping the future of identity.

But with great power comes great responsibility. NHI security cannot be an afterthought. As organizations lean more heavily on automation, integrate across platforms, and embrace AI, the attack surface grows - especially when NHIs are mismanaged. Each API key, service account, and machine credential must be treated with the same level of scrutiny and protection (if not more!) as any human identity.

At Oktane 2024, we expect to see this reality take center stage. The organizations that recognize the importance of NHI security—and implement robust strategies to protect them—will be best positioned to navigate the evolving landscape of identity and access management.

Interested in diving deeper into NHI security at Oktane 2024? Reach out to us at hello@natomahq.com to schedule a meeting onsite.