How RPA Is Reshaping Identity and Access Management

As enterprises accelerate their automation strategies, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is emerging as a central force to reshape operational efficiency and cybersecurity.

With RPA bots performing an expanding range of critical tasks, organizations are now grappling with a new reality: Non-Human Identities (NHIs) are growing faster than human users, and with them, the risks.

Industry experts note that RPA has become indispensable for streamlining repetitive processes traditionally handled by employees.

Yet the expanding presence of these bots introduces complex identity and access management (IAM) challenges. Each bot functions as an NHI that requires proper governance, lifecycle management and security controls like those applied to human accounts.

One major concern is the level of access granted to RPA bots. Because many interact with sensitive applications and data, inadequate oversight can expose organizations to significant vulnerabilities.

Analysts warn that improperly configured bots, especially those without least privilege enforcement, may have broader system permissions than necessary. If compromised, these bots could be exploited for lateral movement, data exfiltration or unauthorized operations.

Credential security presents another critical issue. Many RPA implementations still rely on hardcoded passwords, API keys or credentials stored in configuration files, practices that expand attack surfaces. Experts emphasize the need for secure credential vaulting and Just-in-Time (JIT) access to minimize exposure and maintain zero-trust requirements.

As automation scales, enterprises are increasingly recognizing that bots require the same rigor in authentication, authorization and monitoring as their human counterparts. This includes provisioning, deprovisioning, privileged session oversight and continuous auditing.

The rapid rise of NHIs marks a turning point in enterprise security strategy. As organizations depend more heavily on automated digital workers, identity governance must evolve to protect both users and bots.

Failure to modernize IAM systems, experts say, could undermine the operational gains that automation promises, leaving enterprises vulnerable in an increasingly automated world.