Key Points
- Orchid Security introduces a new identity observability platform.
- The approach addresses identity management beyond traditional tools.
- It includes discovery, analysis, orchestration, and audit processes.
- Enhances visibility and reduces identity-related risks in enterprises.
Orchid Security has launched a groundbreaking platform aimed at improving the visibility and management of identity usage within enterprise applications. This innovative solution targets the complex identity logic embedded in application code, APIs, and custom authentication layers, providing a much-needed layer of oversight beyond traditional identity and access management (IAM) systems.
Understanding the Identity Challenge
Modern enterprises heavily rely on applications where identity logic is often deeply embedded, leading to a lack of visibility for traditional IAM tools. This challenge creates what is known as ‘Identity Dark Matter,’ a term used to describe identity risks that are invisible to existing identity management frameworks. This dark matter includes custom-built applications, legacy authentication logic, and non-human identities, all of which complicate identity governance and increase potential security risks.
Traditional identity management tools are often insufficient for handling these complexities as they depend largely on configuration data and policy models, which do not cater well to unmanaged access paths and embedded credentials. This gap in identity management necessitates a more comprehensive solution to prevent data breaches and ensure regulatory compliance.
Orchid’s Comprehensive Identity Solution
Orchid Security’s platform addresses these challenges through a structured four-step process: discover, analyze, orchestrate, and audit. This approach begins with the discovery phase, where the platform identifies applications and their identity implementations. Using lightweight instrumentation, it examines authentication methods, authorization logic, and credential usage to establish a comprehensive inventory of identity activities.
Following discovery, the analysis phase assesses identity risks by evaluating observed behaviors rather than relying on assumed policies. This includes identifying shared credentials, orphaned service accounts, and privileged access paths that exist outside traditional IAM oversight. By focusing on active risks, Orchid enables security teams to prioritize their remediation efforts effectively.
Streamlining Identity Management
Once risks are analyzed, the orchestration phase allows security teams to act on findings. Orchid’s platform integrates seamlessly with existing IAM, PAM, and security workflows, enabling teams to prioritize risks by impact, assign responsibilities, and track remediation progress effectively. This integration ensures that existing security controls are optimized rather than replaced.
The final audit phase ensures continuous monitoring and documentation of identity control measures. Security and governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) teams benefit from real-time access to application inventories and evidence of identity usage. This continuous audit capability shifts the focus from labor-intensive evidence collection to ongoing oversight, enhancing overall audit efficiency.
Conclusion
Orchid Security’s approach to identity observability offers a transformative solution for enterprises seeking to manage complex identity environments. By aligning identity security practices with the operational realities of modern applications, organizations can significantly improve visibility, reduce risk exposure, and enhance audit readiness. As identity management continues to evolve, solutions like Orchid’s will be essential for maintaining robust security postures.
