In an era where cyberattacks are growing in scale and sophistication, digital identities have emerged as the new battleground.

Once the exclusive domain of Identity and Access Management (IAM) teams, identity security is now a core cybersecurity and business concern. As organisations grapple with rising threats, they must look beyond traditional IAM tools to adopt a unified, proactive approach that secures every identity (human and non-human) across their networks.

Identity as the new perimeter

The transformation in how organisations operate digitally has redefined the role of identity. Identities are no longer confined to employees logging in through corporate systems as they now include third-party vendors, contractors, automated scripts, applications, machines, digital identities, and IoT devices.

Attackers have adapted swiftly to this environment, with identity-based breaches now among the most common initial entry points into an organisation. By exploiting compromised credentials or abusing excessive privileges, bad actors can move laterally within systems, escalating access and causing widespread disruption.

This threat landscape requires a new level of vigilance – one that transcends the traditional IAM framework and treats identity security as a foundational pillar of cybersecurity strategy.

From IAM to identity security

Traditional IAM tools, typically focused on provisioning access, authenticating users, and enforcing policies, remain essential however are no longer sufficient in isolation. As cyber threats evolve, identity security must become an organisation-wide priority, tightly integrated with cybersecurity protocols.

This shift in focus has given rise to identity-centric security strategies. Unlike conventional IAM approaches that manage who gets access, identity security prioritises how access is used and how often it’s verified.

This proactive stance involves not just gatekeeping but also continuous monitoring, behaviour analysis, and swift response to anomalies. In a digital world where identities are the perimeter, guarding them means safeguarding the entire business.

Cybersecurity and identity

As organisations move toward a defence-in-depth model, the lines between identity security and cybersecurity are disappearing. Without a robust identity security framework, even the most advanced cybersecurity measures can be undermined.

Misconfigured permissions, dormant accounts, or unmonitored access rights can serve as launchpads for cyber intrusions. Organisations that integrate identity security into their broader cybersecurity strategies gain the upper hand.

This includes securing identities across all tiers, from employees and partners to vendors and APIs. Each touchpoint should be validated and secured with layers of authentication and contextual access control.

Zero Trust now a strategic necessity

Zero Trust has moved from being industry buzzword to a critical framework in the identity security conversation. Its core principle, “never trust, always verify”, is perfectly suited to a world where identities are under constant threat.

Implementing Zero Trust for identity protection involves multiple steps. These include gaining visibility into all identities, enforcing strong authentication, adopting least privilege and just-in-time access models, and employing continuous behavioural monitoring.

Organisations embracing Zero Trust can significantly reduce their attack surface by minimising opportunities for privilege escalation and lateral movement: key tactics used by attackers once inside a network.

Navigating complex identity ecosystems

Today’s digital ecosystems are sprawling and interconnected. From on-premises systems to cloud environments, from business applications to operational technology (OT) and IoT devices, the range of identity sources has exploded. Each of these elements must be accounted for in an effective identity security framework.

This complexity also breeds risk. Hidden permissions, excessive access rights, and unmonitored identities create blind spots that adversaries can exploit.

Social engineering and phishing schemes often serve as the opening act, enabling attackers to gain a foothold before leveraging privilege escalation techniques to infiltrate critical systems. To counter this, organisations must pursue visibility across the full spectrum of identities.

Advanced technologies like AI and machine learning are proving invaluable here. These tools enable real-time identity threat detection and response, analysing vast data sets to identify anomalies, misconfigurations, or unusual patterns that signal potential compromise.

A cross-functional responsibility

Protecting identities is no longer the exclusive responsibility of the IAM team. A siloed approach leaves organisations vulnerable, as threat actors exploit gaps between IT, cybersecurity, and compliance functions.

Instead, identity security must be a shared responsibility. IT teams, security professionals, compliance officers, and business stakeholders must collaborate, ensuring alignment on access policies, risk assessments, and response protocols.

This integrated strategy enables organisations to detect and neutralise threats more effectively while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.

Building a culture of cross-functional cooperation is as vital as deploying the right technologies. Without clear communication and collaboration, even the best tools can fall short.

Rethinking identity security strategy

To stay ahead of today’s threats, organisations must evolve their thinking. Relying solely on IAM to manage permissions and provision access is no longer adequate. Identity security must be treated as a dynamic, enterprise-wide discipline that spans departments, systems, and endpoints.

This includes expanding identity frameworks to account for non-human actors, modernising privilege management, and adopting real-time risk-based authentication methods. It also means fostering a mindset of continuous vigilance and rapid response.

In the face of rising cyber risks, businesses that embed identity security into the fabric of their cybersecurity strategy will be better positioned to defend against attacks, protect data, and ensure operational resilience.