SpyCloud 2026 Identity Threat Report Finds Non-Human Identities Are Now the Leading Path into the Enterprise

A SpyCloud survey of 750 security leaders finds compromised non-human identities are the top enterprise entry point (31%), yet only 36% of organizations monitor them.

The SpyCloud 2026 Identity Threat Report surveyed 750 cybersecurity leaders at organizations with 500+ employees across North America and Europe. Compromised non-human identities (31%) were the most cited primary attacker entry point, nearly double phishing (17%), while only 36% of organizations monitor AI agents, service accounts and API keys. 68% of respondents reported identity-based events, averaging eight each, and 91% use AI tools but only 56% have formal governance over their privileges. Organizations with session-cookie visibility saw lower event rates (37% vs 50%), and automated remediation correlated with lower response costs and trust loss. Both sources (Cyber Security News and GBHackers) report identical figures with no discrepancies.

• Survey of 750 cybersecurity leaders at organizations with 500+ employees across North America and Europe (2026 Identity Threat Report)
• Compromised non-human identities (31%) ranked as the top primary attacker entry point, nearly 2x phishing (17%)
• Only 36% of organizations monitor AI agents, service accounts and API keys, despite 95% claiming visibility
• 68% of respondents reported identity-based events, averaging eight each
• 91% use AI tools, but only 56% have formal governance over their privileges
• Organizations with session-cookie visibility saw lower event rates (37% vs 50%)
• 40% lack a process to confirm third-party identity exposures were resolved
• Automated remediation correlated with lower response costs and trust loss