Compromised credentials
Valid credentials can enable access that appears technically legitimate. The relevant question is not only whether a sign-in occurs, but which systems and resources the identity can reach afterwards.
Security Risks
Many attacks begin with valid credentials, not malware.
Stolen or misused identities allow attackers to move through existing systems as apparently legitimate users. In complex IT estates, this can create attack paths that are difficult to identify.
RISK
ATTACK SURFACE
CENTREIDENTITY
Why identities are attractive to attackers.
Valid credentials use existing permissions and trusted authentication paths. Access can therefore resemble normal activity even when its purpose or context is unusual.
As enterprises become more complex, the number of identities, target systems and connections grows. Security must therefore consider identity, access and resources together.
Six risk areas
Privileged accounts
Administrative accounts often hold rights that extend far beyond individual applications. If compromised, central systems, configurations or additional identities may be affected.
Service accounts and technical identities
Technical accounts connect applications and systems. Because they can be long-lived and use different authentication mechanisms, their permissions and usage are often less transparent.
Lateral movement
After initial access, existing permissions, trust relationships and technical dependencies can expose additional systems. Transitions between resources are therefore part of the security assessment.
MFA gaps
MFA can significantly reduce the risk posed by stolen credentials. Coverage can still vary in complex environments, for example across legacy applications, on-premise systems or different protocols.
Hybrid and legacy systems
On-premise infrastructure, cloud services and established applications do not always use the same identity and access patterns. This creates transitions that cannot be explained by a single rule or platform.
Connected view
Do not assess risks in isolation.
Identities, access and resources form a connected attack surface. Only their relationships reveal which paths are particularly relevant within a given infrastructure.
Assess your security risks with us.
In an initial consultation, we identify the risk areas and access paths that are particularly relevant in your environment.