According to a new report by RSA, the exponential growth in the number of human and machine actors on the network, coupled with the increasing sophistication of technology, has made identity security a super-human problem. In this era where artificial intelligence (AI) can assess risks and respond to threats, human involvement becomes even more crucial in cybersecurity.

However, the report highlights significant gaps in respondents knowledge regarding critical identity vulnerabilities and best practices for securing identity. Two-thirds of the respondents were unable to accurately identify the components needed for organizations to move towards zero trust. Similarly, many respondents failed to select the best practice technologies for reducing phishing and lacked understanding of the full scope of identity capabilities that can improve an organizations security posture.

These findings align with third-party research, such as Verizons report, which found that stolen credentials have become the most popular entry point for data breaches over the past five years. The gaps in users identity knowledge provide cybercriminals with opportunities to exploit vulnerabilities.

Furthermore, personal devices pose security risks, as 72% of respondents believe that people frequently use them to access professional resources. Additionally, respondents expressed trust in technical innovations, like password managers and computers, to secure their information, as well as faith in artificial intelligences potential to improve identity security.

The report also highlights the impact of fragmented identity solutions on costs and productivity. Nearly three-quarters of respondents underestimated the cost of a password reset, which can account for nearly half of all IT help desk costs. Additionally, inadequate identity governance and administration hindered organizational productivity, with 30% of respondents reporting weekly access issues.

These findings emphasize the need for organizations to invest in unified identity solutions and integrate artificial intelligence to keep pace with the evolving threat landscape. The report serves as a call to action for organizations to enhance their understanding of identity security and adopt comprehensive approaches to protect against cyber threats.

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Identity Security: A Super-Human Problem in the Era of Exponential ... - Fagen wasanni