Non-human identities (NHI) are rapidly increasing in enterprises due to the rise of cloud infrastructure, posing unique security challenges that traditional identity management approaches cannot address. Effective management of NHIs requires collaboration between identity and platform teams to establish security policies that prioritize automation and optimize developer experience. Solutions such as secrets management and lifecycle management are essential for mitigating risks associated with NHIs.

BSides Seattle 2025 highlighted the pressing need to reevaluate security systems and identity management in light of non-human identities (NHIs) and the inadequacies of current frameworks. Keynotes from experts called for a shift towards attested, ephemeral identities that reflect the realities of system usage and stress, emphasizing that security must be user-friendly and resilient against human error. The event underscored the importance of building systems that work effectively under pressure and are designed with the complexities of modern infrastructure in mind.