Machine identities now dwarf human ones, reaching an 82-to-1 ratio. This imbalance strains legacy Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems. CyberArk research confirmed the widening gap in 2025.
The surge is driven by AI agents. Microsoft Copilot Studio users created over 1 million agents in a single quarter, a 130% increase. These AI entities don't just authenticate; they act, often with limited oversight.
Experts warn of rising security risks. Gartner predicts 25% of enterprise breaches will stem from AI agent abuse by 2028. ServiceNow invested heavily in security acquisitions in 2025, signaling a shift towards identity-centric AI risk management.
Traditional IAM, designed for human users, struggles to manage this scale. Cloud IAM complexities, slow security reviews, and production pressures contribute to over-permissioned accounts. This creates vulnerabilities.
The industry must adapt. Future strategies will likely prioritize AI-native security solutions. These solutions must address the unique challenges posed by autonomous machine identities.
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