The Hidden Risk of Orphan Accounts

Orphan accounts are identities that remain active after their original owners, such as employees, contractors, services, or automated processes, are no longer present or accountable. These accounts often persist unnoticed due to fragmented identity systems and poor visibility, retaining credentials and sometimes elevated privileges. Because they lack clear ownership, orphan accounts are difficult to audit and easy for attackers to exploit, creating security, compliance, and operational risks. Reducing this threat requires continuous visibility into all identities, clear ownership, and automated processes to detect and remove accounts that are no longer needed. 

https://thehackernews.com/2026/01/the-hidden-risk-of-orphan-accounts.html

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