In today’s digital landscape, the traditional concept of a network perimeter—think firewalls and physical boundaries—has become obsolete due to the rise of cloud computing, remote work, SaaS applications, and distributed systems. Instead, identity has emerged as the central control point for security, often referred to as “identity as the new perimeter.” This shift recognizes that access to resources is no longer confined to a fixed location; it’s determined by who (or what) is requesting access, making robust identity management essential to prevent breaches.
The idea gained traction as organizations moved away from on-premises setups, where perimeter defenses like VPNs and firewalls were sufficient. Now, with users and devices connecting from anywhere, verifying and securing identities—both human and non-human—forms the foundation of cybersecurity strategies such as Zero Trust. Gartner describes this as “identity-first security,” where identity-based controls are the core of the architecture. However, some experts caution against conflating identity with the perimeter itself; identity defines who accesses what, while the perimeter is where enforcement happens.
Why This Matters in 2026
By 2026, threats have evolved with AI-driven attacks eroding traditional trust signals, such as phishing that mimics real users in real-time. Identity sprawl is rampant, with machine identities (e.g., service accounts, API keys, and IoT devices) often outnumbering human ones in enterprises. Breaches frequently stem from compromised credentials found in infostealer logs, highlighting the need to proactively monitor and hunt for risks. In IoT ecosystems, machine identities are particularly critical, as they enable secure device-to-device interactions without human involvement.
Securing User (Human) Identities
User identities refer to individuals like employees, customers, or partners. Securing them involves:
• Identity and Access Management (IAM): Implement centralized systems to manage authentication, authorization, and auditing. This includes multi-factor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), and adaptive access controls that adjust based on context (e.g., location or device).
• Least Privilege Principle: Grant users only the access they need for their roles, regularly reviewing and revoking permissions through Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) tools.
• Continuous Monitoring: Use AI to detect anomalies, such as unusual login patterns, and integrate with threat intelligence to flag compromised credentials before exploitation.
• Education and Awareness: While AI blurs phishing detection, training users on emerging threats remains key, alongside technical controls.
Securing Machine (Non-Human) Identities
Machine identities encompass APIs, bots, containers, IoT devices, and automated workflows. They require distinct handling because they don’t involve human oversight:
• Lifecycle Management: Automate issuance, rotation, and revocation of credentials like API keys or certificates. Treat machines as “first-class citizens” with dedicated governance.
• Zero Trust for Machines: Verify every request, regardless of origin, using mutual TLS or workload identity federation. This is vital in cloud and hybrid environments where machines interact autonomously.
• Visibility and Inventory: Maintain a complete inventory of machine identities to avoid “shadow IT” risks. Tools like privileged access management (PAM) can help secure service accounts.
• AI Integration: Leverage AI for monitoring machine behavior, but govern AI agents themselves as non-human identities to prevent misuse.
Best Practices and Strategies
To implement identity-centric security:
1. Adopt a Zero Trust Model: Assume no trust by default; continuously verify identities and enforce policies at every access point.
2. Use Unified Platforms: Solutions like eMudhra SecurePass or similar IAM tools provide a “trust framework” across human and machine identities.
3. Focus on Resilience: Prepare for breaches by emphasizing rapid detection and response, including hunting for exposed credentials.
4. Address Regulatory Compliance: Align with standards like NIST or GDPR, which increasingly emphasize identity security.
In summary, securing user and machine identities isn’t just a tactic—it’s the core strategy for modern cybersecurity. By prioritizing identity, organizations can better navigate the borderless threats of 2026 and beyond.