ChaptersCircleEventsBlog

Download Publication

Defining Shadow Access: The Emerging IAM Security Challenge
Defining Shadow Access: The Emerging IAM Security Challenge
Who it's for:
  • IAM Program Leads
  • Security Leads

Defining Shadow Access: The Emerging IAM Security Challenge

Release Date: 09/12/2023

Shadow Access is unmonitored, unauthorized, invisible, unsafe, and generally over-permissioned cloud access. This emerging Identity and Access Management (IAM) security challenge has arisen with the growth of cloud computing, DevOps, cloud native architectures, and data sharing. An increased use of access and entitlements that connect cloud services together, coupled with automated infrastructure and software development, results in incorrectly or unexpectedly permissioned accounts and resources.

The consequences of Shadow Access are massive and threaten to impact any organization that has an evolving cloud. This short IAM security document summarizes the background, causes, and impact of Shadow Access, as well as outlining the path forward to regain the benefits of a dynamic and secure cloud environment.

Key Takeaways: 
  • The background and definition of Shadow Access
  • What causes Shadow Access, including the complexity and process changes
  • The impacts of Shadow Access 
Download this Resource

Prefer to access this resource without an account?
Download the publication. Download the presentation.

Bookmark
Share
Related resources
Shadow Access and AI
Shadow Access and AI
Identity and Access Management Working Group Charter 2024
Identity and Access Management Working Group Ch...
Confronting Shadow Access Risks: Considerations for Zero Trust and Artificial Intelligence Deployments
Confronting Shadow Access Risks: Considerations...
Understanding Zero Trust Security Models - A Beginners Guide
Understanding Zero Trust Security Models - A Beginners Guide
Published: 04/24/2025
Human and Non-Human Identities: The Overlooked Security Risk in Modern Enterprises
Human and Non-Human Identities: The Overlooked Security Risk in Mod...
Published: 04/11/2025
Leveraging Containerization and Remote Browser Isolation
Leveraging Containerization and Remote Browser Isolation
Published: 04/07/2025
Why Security Questionnaires Are a Familiar—but Ineffective—Norm for Assessing Risk
Why Security Questionnaires Are a Familiar—but Ineffective—Norm for...
Published: 04/02/2025
Are you a research volunteer? Request to have your profile displayed on the website here.

Interested in helping develop research with CSA?

Related Certificates & Training