Accounts that are not associated with a human user but rather with automated processes, services, or machines.
Description
Non-human accounts refer to digital identities that are created specifically for non-human entities, such as applications, services, devices, or automated systems. These accounts play a critical role in identity management as they enable seamless integration, communication, and operation of various technological systems without direct human intervention. Examples include service accounts used by applications to access databases, API accounts for third-party services, and IoT device accounts for managing smart devices. Proper management of non-human accounts is essential to maintain security, control access, and ensure compliance with organizational policies. Unlike human accounts, which are linked to individuals and often require multi-factor authentication, non-human accounts may follow different security protocols and access levels due to their automated nature. The proliferation of cloud services and microservices architecture has led to an increase in the number of non-human accounts, highlighting the need for robust identity management solutions that can effectively handle both human and non-human identities.
Examples
- Service accounts for database access
- API keys for third-party integrations
Additional Information
- Non-human accounts often require different security measures compared to human accounts.
- Management tools can automate the lifecycle of non-human accounts to enhance security and compliance.