In the rapidly evolving 2026 threat landscape, a concerning paradox has emerged for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and security leaders: despite the maturation of identity programs, the associated risk is actually increasing.

Recent research from the Ponemon Institute reveals a startling fact: hundreds of applications within the typical enterprise remain disconnected from centralized identity systems, creating ‘dark’ areas that are not visible to security teams.

This disconnect poses a significant threat to enterprise security, as it creates opportunities for attackers to exploit these identity gaps and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and systems.

To address this issue, it is essential for security leaders to implement a robust identity and access management (IAM) strategy that integrates all applications and systems, ensuring that all users and devices are properly authenticated and authorized.

By closing these identity gaps, enterprises can significantly reduce the risk of security breaches and cyber attacks, and protect their sensitive data and assets from unauthorized access.

Source: Original Article