Blog
Machine identities don't take PTO, but their owners do: Why shared ownership and succession planning are critical
Authors (1)
Michael Conti
Product Marketing Manager
SailPoint
Machine identities, like service accounts and bots, are the tireless workhorses of the digital world. They don't take PTO, never call in sick, and operate 24/7/365.
Our digital workforce never sleeps, ensuring seamless operations and constant productivity. But here's the catch: these tireless machines don't govern themselves. They rely on human oversight to ensure they're secure, compliant, and operating as intended. What happens when the humans responsible for governing these identities take time off, change roles, or even leave the company? That's why multiple owners and succession planning are crucial. It's about ensuring that governance doesn't take a vacation just because their owners do.
The importance of shared ownership and succession planning
The risk of relying on a single owner for critical machine identities is significant. When that person is out of office, who certifies access or approves changes? All too often, the answer is "no one," leading to delays, missed audit deadlines, and increased risk. With Machine Identity Security, you can now assign multiple owners to a single machine identity, which groups machine accounts that represent applications or services. This ensures that governance doesn’t stall when someone is out of office or changes roles. Shared ownership ensures workflows keep moving and prevents dependence on a single contact.
- Before: A critical machine identity had only one designated owner. When that person went on leave, no one else had the authority or visibility into the identity.
- After: The identity now benefits from multiple assigned owners. This ensures that governance responsibilities can seamlessly transition between owners, eliminating disruptions during absences or personnel changes.
Let's face it: personnel changes are a fact of life. People get promoted, switch jobs, leave for another opportunity, or retire. If a machine identity's sole owner departs, the account can quickly become orphaned, leading to security and compliance risks. That's why Machine Identity Security now offers proactive succession plans for machine identity owners, ensuring there’s always someone accountable, even if/when personnel changes occur. This keeps governance intact and eliminates risk from orphaned accounts that often fall through the cracks.
Benefits of multiple owners and succession planning
- Continuous governance: Access reviews, certifications, and approvals continue without disruption, even during absences or transitions.
- Reduced risk: Prevents orphaned accounts and ensures accountability across the board.
- Improved compliance: Clear records of ownership make audits easier and build trust.
- Streamlined workflows: Shared ownership prevents bottlenecks and dependence on a single point of contact.
Machine identities are essential for driving business operations. However, without proper governance, these identities can become a major source of risk. By implementing multiple owner and succession planning strategies within Machine Identity Security, you can ensure that your organization is prepared for the unexpected, maintaining continuous governance and reducing the risk of orphaned accounts.
Take control of your machine identity governance and ensure that your digital workforce remains secure, compliant, and productive, no matter what challenges may arise.
