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All issuesVolume 326, Issue 3IT Vendor NewsOkta

The Next Identity Imperative: Securing AI Agents

Okta, Wednesday, May 21st, 2025

As artificial intelligence permeates our digital lives, a subtle but significant challenge is emerging for those tasked with safeguarding our systems: the identity of the AI itself.

Beyond algorithms and processing power, these sophisticated programs are developing a form of digital personhood, frequently referred to as 'non-human identities,' or NHIs.

This nascent concept, discussed in depth at Okta's recent Showcase event, underscores a growing vulnerability. With the majority of security breaches already linked to compromised identities, the rise of autonomous AI agents - capable of making decisions and seeking access independently - introduces a new dimension of risk. These NHIs can possess administrative privileges, becoming potential backdoors into sensitive systems.

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