Certify machine account access

Machine account certification is the process of regularly reviewing and validating the access rights assigned to non-human identities (NHIs) such as service accounts, bots, RPAs, and other machine accounts. Just like human access reviews, certification ensures that these accounts still serve a valid purpose and have only the permissions they need.

With Machine Identity Security, certifications are built into the governance workflow—so machine accounts aren’t treated as an afterthought. This allows organizations to enforce consistent oversight across all identities and prove that governance extends beyond just humans.

Without certification, machine accounts often accumulate permissions unchecked. Many are never reviewed after their creation, which means outdated or excessive access can linger for years. This creates serious compliance gaps during audits and increases the chance of unauthorized use or exploitation by attackers.

Certification establishes accountability by forcing a periodic check-in: does this account still need access? Is the level of access appropriate? Who is responsible for it? By addressing these questions regularly, organizations can reduce risk, demonstrate compliance, and ensure their identity governance program covers every corner of the environment.

Machine Identity Security integrates machine accounts directly into certification workflows that many organizations already use for human identities. Owners are prompted to review accounts under their responsibility, validate whether access is still required, and either approve or revoke permissions. High-risk or sensitive entitlements can be prioritized so that reviewers focus on what matters most. This activity is logged, providing a transparent record that helps prove governance is being applied consistently. By embedding machine accounts into the same certification cycles as human identities, governance becomes unified and scalable.

Yes. One of the most valuable aspects of machine account certification is the ability to highlight accounts that represent the greatest risk. This includes accounts with privileged permissions, those linked to sensitive applications, or accounts that appear orphaned without an active owner.

Machine Identity Security surfaces these accounts within certification campaigns, giving reviewers clear insight into which accounts demand extra scrutiny. This risk-based approach ensures that time is spent where it matters most—protecting critical systems and reducing the likelihood of a security incident.

Certification complements discovery, classification, and ownership assignment. Once accounts are discovered, classified, and assigned to owners, certifications helpsensure they are continuously governed and compliant over time.