What Are Non-Human Identities?

Definition

Non-human identities are accounts and credentials used by systems, applications, and automation rather than by people.

They include service accounts, API keys, OAuth tokens, bots, and other machine-based access.

They act inside your environment. They just don’t log in like a user.

Why it matters

Most environments now have more non-human identities than human users.

Every integration, script, workflow, and application creates them.

They are essential to how systems operate.

They are also one of the least understood and least controlled parts of identity.

Unlike human users:

• They don’t go through onboarding and offboarding
• They don’t change roles in a structured way
• They are rarely reviewed
• They often have long-lived or persistent access

Over time, they accumulate access with little visibility.

What counts as a non-human identity

Non-human identities take many forms:

• Service accounts used by applications
• API keys used for programmatic access
• OAuth tokens granted to third-party apps
• Bots in tools like Slack or Teams
• Automation scripts and workflows
• Background jobs and integrations between systems

They all have one thing in common:

They have access to systems and data, but no direct human interaction.

A simple example

A developer creates a script to sync data between Salesforce and a billing system.

To make it work, they:

• Create a service account
• Grant it access to both systems
• Store credentials in a script or integration tool

The script runs every day.

Over time:

• The developer leaves the company
• The script continues running
• The service account still has broad access
• No one is actively monitoring it

The system still works.

But no one is responsible for that access anymore.

That is a non-human identity risk.

Where they come from

Non-human identities are created as a byproduct of how systems integrate.

They are generated when:

• Applications connect to each other
• Developers automate workflows
• Teams use third-party tools
• Data needs to move between systems

They are often created quickly to solve a problem.

They are rarely cleaned up afterward.

Where identity systems break

Most identity systems are designed for people.

They assume:

• A clear owner
• A lifecycle tied to employment
• Regular reviews
• Defined roles and groups

Non-human identities don’t fit this model.

• Ownership is often unclear
• Lifecycles are undefined
• Access is granted directly inside apps
• Credentials persist indefinitely

As a result, they fall outside normal governance.

Where the risk comes from

Non-human identities often have broad access.

They need it to function.

But that creates risk:

• Long-lived credentials that are rarely rotated
• Excessive permissions granted “just to make it work”
• Orphaned accounts with no clear owner
• OAuth tokens that continue to access data
• Automation running with outdated or unnecessary privileges

Because they don’t behave like users, they are harder to monitor and control.

How to think about managing them

You don’t eliminate non-human identities.

You bring them into your identity model.

That means:

1. Inventory all non-human identities: Know what exists across systems
2. Assign ownership: Every identity should map to a responsible person or team
3. Understand access: What systems can it touch? What can it do?
4. Manage lifecycle: Create, update, and remove access intentionally
5. Monitor continuously: Track usage and changes over time

How this connects to effective access

Non-human identities are a major part of effective access.

They operate alongside human users.

They often have equal or greater permissions.

If you don’t account for them, you don’t understand your real access footprint.

Frequently asked questions

What is a non-human identity in identity management?

A non-human identity is any account or credential used by systems, applications, or automation rather than a person.

Are service accounts considered non-human identities?

Yes. Service accounts are one of the most common types of non-human identities.

What is the difference between a user and a non-human identity?

A user represents a person. A non-human identity represents a system or process acting programmatically.

Why are non-human identities risky?

They often have persistent access, unclear ownership, and are not regularly reviewed or monitored.

How do you manage non-human identities?

By inventorying them, assigning ownership, understanding their permissions, managing their lifecycle, and monitoring their activity.

Where YeshID fits

YeshID brings non-human identities into the same system of visibility and control as human users.

So you can:

• See all identities across your environment
• Understand what each identity can access
• Assign ownership and accountability
• Detect and reduce unnecessary permissions

Bottom line

Non-human identities are not edge cases.

They are a core part of how modern systems operate.

If you are not managing them, you are not managing access.