Identity Management Takes Center Stage Amid AI Adoption Surge
AI adoption worldwide jumped from 64% to 80% in just one year. Security remains the main driver, with 62% of organisations focusing on AI for threat detection and protection. This rapid growth brings new challenges that require fresh approaches to security and governance.
According to Okta’s recent survey, 85% of respondents now see Identity and Access Management (IAM) as a key part of their security strategy—up from 79% last year. This shift highlights the increasing importance of managing identities effectively as AI agents and non-human identities (NHIs) become common in business operations.
Security Perspectives on AI Use
Interestingly, while the percentage of companies using AI for security dipped slightly—from 71% in 2024 to 65% in 2025—the belief that “AI is the best defence against AI” nearly doubled, jumping from 18% to 41%. This points to growing confidence in AI-driven security solutions.
In EMEA, AI adoption for security remains solid. Around 70% of UK organisations are experimenting with AI security tools, with France, Germany, and the Netherlands also showing strong interest, though these figures still lag behind leaders like the US and India.
AI Agents and Non-Human Identities on the Rise
In 2025, 42% of organisations report widespread use of NHIs across multiple functions, and another 55% use them moderately. In EMEA, adoption is lower at 22.5%, with the Netherlands leading regional uptake.
AI agents are primarily deployed to boost productivity and cut costs. Nearly half of companies expect AI agents to moderately improve operational efficiency, and more than half see them as complementary to human roles rather than replacements.
- Automating repetitive tasks
- Enhancing customer service
- Optimising workflows
Security and Governance Challenges Ahead
Governance and oversight top the list of security concerns related to AI agents over the next three years, cited by 58% of organisations. Compliance and regulatory pressures follow closely at 50%.
Managing NHIs has become a critical priority. About 76% of organisations view securing NHIs as very important, with 78% identifying control over access and permissions as their main challenge.
Effective access management depends heavily on APIs and tokens, slightly ahead of service accounts in importance. Despite 89% of respondents claiming at least intermediate knowledge of NHIs, 42% admit they have only limited strategy or formal plans for managing them.
Governance efforts are improving but remain incomplete. Only 36% have a centralised AI governance model, with 42% working toward one. Just 10% have specific governance strategies for NHIs, even though 91% already deploy AI agents.
A Practical Approach to AI and Identity Management
The rise of AI agents and NHIs demands clear security and governance frameworks. Organisations need to define practical use cases and build foundational policies to maximise AI's benefits while protecting data.
Effective identity management will be key to optimising AI for functions like customer support, sales, marketing, and security. Prioritising IAM strengthens the ability to deploy AI safely and confidently across business operations.
For managers looking to deepen their knowledge of AI and security strategies, exploring specialised AI training can provide practical skills and insights. Resources such as Complete AI Training’s latest AI courses offer targeted learning paths to stay ahead in this evolving landscape.
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