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Let’s talk about non-human identity

Here's a fun fact, albeit a bit terrifying: 83 percent of web traffic is generated via APIs. Yes, you read that right—83%. This statistic highlights a significant shift in how the web operates and underscores the growing influence of APIs in our digital world. What does this mean for us? Essentially, just about everything you see as web traffic is conducted through APIs. And here's another startling revelation: it's not humans generating this traffic. Instead, non-human accounts are the primary contributors. These non-human accounts aren't just passive data collectors. They're actively connecting to other apps and services, exchanging data at an unprecedented rate. Many of these connections are facilitated by long-lasting tokens—some created years ago—that remain active and continuously connecting.

If you think non-human identities aren't an issue for your organization, think again. This phenomenon is one of the next significant challenges we must tackle as both identity practitioners and security professionals. We need to devise strategies to manage and govern these non-human entities effectively. Historically, identity and security measures were centered around human users. However, with non-human accounts now dominating web traffic, we must expand these practices. The same identity and security protocols we’ve applied to human accounts must now encompass all entities in our digital ecosystems.


The sheer volume of API-generated web traffic underscores the need for a paradigm shift in how we handle digital identities and security. As we move forward, addressing these challenges will be crucial in maintaining the integrity and security of our digital infrastructure.

Let's not treat this like we did privileged access management and sweep it under the rug. This problem moves too fast, and the scale will be too big before you know it. Instead, let's dive into the details and explore how we can address this rising trend in API web traffic.

The Rise of APIs: From Nice-To-Have to Need-To-Have

In the early days of the internet, APIs were primarily used for data exchange between a few trusted applications. But with the advent of cloud computing and mobile devices, APIs have become ubiquitous and essential for modern businesses. In today's digital landscape, organizations rely heavily on APIs to connect their systems, facilitate communication with customers, and drive innovation. This widespread adoption has led to an exponential rise in API usage and subsequently generated web traffic.But here's where things get interesting. APIs are not a one-way street. They also consume data from other sources, creating a web of interconnected services and applications. This interdependence has led to a surge in API traffic, with organizations using APIs as the primary means of communication between systems and applications. As APIs continue to become more prevalent, their impact on web traffic will only increase. And with non-human accounts generating the majority of this traffic, it's crucial for organizations to have measures in place to manage and secure these identities

The Challenges of Non-Human Identities

Non-human identities present unique challenges that go beyond traditional identity management practices. Unlike human users who can authenticate themselves, non-human accounts require different methods of identification and authentication.For example, APIs often use long-lasting tokens for authentication, which can remain active for extended periods. These tokens can be easily compromised if not properly managed or secured. Additionally, many organizations struggle with tracking and monitoring the activities of non-human accounts, leading to potential security breaches and data leaks.Incorporating these challenges into our existing identity and security protocols is essential to ensure the integrity and protection of our digital ecosystems.

To effectively manage non-human identities, organizations should take a multi-faceted approach that addresses identity governance, access control, and monitoring.

Sound familiar?

It should. It's the same strategy organizations are applying for their human accounts. Well they should anyway. While the execution will be slightly different when it comes to non-human accounts, the main strategy remains the same. Visibility, Accountability, Response.

The larger takeway here is that we've reached the point where organizations must create a Digital Identity strategy. Not a workforce strategy, or non-employee strategy, no ALL digital identities. You have to understand what identity has what access at all times.

I know, I know..even more things you have to manage but I don't think we can ignore this one any longer.