Identity: The New Security Perimeter
80% of 2026 breaches involve flaws related to identities. In a world where IT infrastructures are massively adopting Microsoft 365, Azure, and multicloud environments, the traditional network perimeter is being replaced by the identity perimeter. This encompasses users, service accounts, and machine identities alike. If these entry points are not perfectly secured, they become privileged access for attackers.
Authentication: Strengthening Critical Entry Points
1. MFA via SMS or Voice Call
MFA based on SMS or calls, while widely deployed, is vulnerable to attacks such as SIM-swapping. To reduce risks, prioritize phishing-resistant solutions such as Windows Hello for Business or FIDO2 keys in the Microsoft ecosystem.
2. Insufficient Passwords
Weak password policies, with a minimum of eight characters and frequent reuse, leave your identities exposed. Turn to modern mechanisms like Microsoft Password Protection Administrators, incorporating banned lists and compromised password detection.
3. Shared Service Accounts
Credential sharing, lack of audit trail... Shared service accounts remain among the most exploited vulnerabilities by attackers. Adopt individualized accounts or audit solutions.
4. Absent Session Reauthentication
Stolen tokens from prolonged or uncontrolled sessions pose a real risk. Implement session expiration policies and periodic authentication.
Authorization: Limiting Unnecessary Privileges
5. Permanent Admin Access
Elevated privileges, without Just-In-Time control, allow attackers to exploit a single access for a complete breach. Integrate Azure AD Privileged Identity Management (PIM) to strengthen this protection.
6. Proliferation of Roles
When roles exceed hundreds in the directory, they become unreadable and dangerous. Simplify RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) models and clearly document their impacts.
7. Rushed Access Reviews
Permissions accumulated over the years can become a dangerous weapon. Formalize regular access reviews and ensure each approval is based on thorough analysis.
8. Generic Permissions
Broad permissions, such as using the asterisk in AWS IAM, multiply attack surfaces. Refine your policies and limit authorizations to what is strictly necessary.
Governance: Managing Neglected Identities
9. Orphaned Accounts
Departures not properly tracked leave dormant identities in your IT ecosystem. Automate complete Joiner-Mover-Leaver management processes to deactivate or delete accounts during transitions.
10. Non-Human Identity Inventory
With a ratio of 45 bots for every human user, these machine identities are multiplying without real supervision. Implement a comprehensive inventory and govern these identities as critical elements of your system.
Good to Know
Securing machine identities is particularly critical in automation and continuous integration environments.
IAM Discipline: The Key Element of Resilience
Incidents occurring in 2026 reveal a common thread: credentials that should never have existed were exploited. IAM security depends above all on rigorous discipline around these ten areas, rather than on isolated tool purchases.
Microsoft 365 and Azure offer a robust array of tools: advanced MFA, conditional access, privileged identity management (PIM), access reviews, and bot governance. The key is to integrate them into a coherent strategy applied over the long term.
Tip
Plan a complete annual review of your IAM management to identify gaps and monitor infrastructure evolution.
