ISO 27001 Non-Human Identities: What You Need to Know

Managing security standards is critical, and ISO 27001 sets the benchmark for protecting valuable data. While much of the framework focuses on securing human users and processes, a rapidly growing focal area is non-human identities. These entities—like APIs, service accounts, and cloud resources—are foundational in modern digital ecosystems, yet they often operate without the robust security controls applied to human identities.

Failing to properly manage non-human identities creates vulnerabilities, exposing systems to unauthorized access, privilege escalation, and data leaks. Here’s how ISO 27001 addresses these risks and how modern tools like Hoop can make compliance easier.

What are Non-Human Identities?

Non-human identities are entities that authenticate, authorize, and perform actions within digital environments—without a person directly interacting. Examples include:

• APIs connecting applications.
• Service accounts running automated scripts.
• Cloud services with specific permissions.
• IoT devices sending and receiving data.

Despite their critical roles, these identities often get overlooked, leading to inadequate security controls. They’re typically granted broad permissions or left unmanaged, leaving gaps for attackers.

Why ISO 27001 Extends to Non-Human Identities

At its core, ISO 27001 ensures organizations implement controls to protect sensitive information from threats. While the standard focuses broadly, non-human identities present specific challenges:

• Authentication and Authorization: APIs and service accounts require unique credentials, often stored insecurely.
• Access Control: Wide-ranging permissions increase risk. Defining least-privilege access is harder without visibility.
• Monitoring and Logging: Non-human activity can easily go unnoticed without audits and proper policies.

The inclusion of non-human identities in ISO 27001 strengthens an organization's Information Security Management System (ISMS), ensuring a complete approach to risk mitigation.

Steps to Ensure ISO 27001 Compliance for Non-Human Identities

1. Establish an Inventory of Non-Human Identities

Start by identifying all non-human entities within your infrastructure. This could include external integrations, service accounts tied to CI/CD pipelines, or workloads deployed across cloud platforms. Keep this inventory updated as the environment evolves.

2. Define Least-Privilege Access Policies

Review permissions assigned to non-human identities. Instead of granting admin-level access, scope permissions narrowly. For example:

• APIs should only access endpoints necessary for operation.
• Service accounts should have granular roles limited by task.

Adopt a model where entities can only perform their designated functions.

3. Enforce Credential and Key Management

API keys, SSH keys, and cloud credentials are frequently mishandled. Store them securely using vaults or secrets management tools. Rotate credentials periodically and monitor for exposure, such as hardcoded credentials in repositories.

4. Implement Audit and Monitoring Tools

Track activity related to non-human identities:

• Log API calls and responses for visibility.
• Use alerting mechanisms to flag unusual behavior.
• Correlate identity-based actions with operational outcomes for accountability.

5. Regularly Test and Evaluate Controls

ISO 27001 requires periodic reviews to ensure policies are effective. Test controls for non-human identities through simulations, penetration testing, and internal audits. If breaches occur, adjust workflows to close gaps.

Challenges Without Automated Tools

Manual processes for managing non-human identities are prone to oversight. Many organizations struggle with fragmented systems, where identity management is distributed across silos like IAM platforms, codebases, and cloud providers. This piecemeal approach often leads to missed compliance requirements, unnecessary risks, and wasted time pursuing vulnerabilities after they’re exploited.

Get ISO 27001 Compliance for Non-Human Identities with Hoop

Hoop simplifies managing non-human identities, helping you map integrations, enforce least-privilege access, and monitor API usage. Whether it's tracking service accounts across your cloud infrastructure or rotating credentials to meet security benchmarks, Hoop ensures your organization's non-human identities remain aligned with ISO 27001 standards.

See how easily you can secure your stack and get compliant with Hoop. Get started in minutes and experience streamlined identity management firsthand.