Entities that are not classified as human beings but can interact with systems or networks.
Description
Non-human entities refer to various digital or physical entities that are not human but possess a unique identity in the context of identity management. These entities include devices, applications, bots, and services that require their own credentials and identity to interact with networks and systems. In the realm of Non-Human Identity Management, these entities are treated as distinct from human users, necessitating specific protocols for authentication, authorization, and access control. Non-human entities can include Internet of Things (IoT) devices that communicate with each other, cloud services that perform automated tasks, or software applications that interact with APIs. Managing the identities of these entities is crucial for ensuring security, data integrity, and operational efficiency, as they often operate autonomously and may interact with sensitive data or systems without direct human oversight. Proper management of non-human identities helps organizations mitigate security risks and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.
Examples
- IoT devices such as smart thermostats and security cameras.
- Automated bots that perform tasks like data scraping or system monitoring.
Additional Information
- Non-human identity management tools help automate the governance of these entities.
- The rise of AI and machine learning has increased the prevalence of non-human entities in enterprise environments.