The Rise of the Shadow Man with Eve Maler | Ready. Or Not. Episode 1

Identity pioneer Eve Maler joins Ready. Or Not. to explore the rise of non-human identities, the new risks created by autonomous agents and why zero trust matters more than ever. From “shadow men” running amok to machines that mimic human creativity and behavior, Maler asks a bigger question: Just because our agents can do everything for us, should they? Eve Maler is a pioneer in digital identity and a leading expert on authentication, authorization, and digital trust. Formerly CTO at ForgeRock, she helped shape foundational identity standards like SAML and OAuth and now advises organizations on preparing identity systems for the age of AI. In conversation with host Nathan Macintosh, Maler explains how AI agents are transforming identity and access management, why organizations may be less prepared than they think for non-human identities, and what it takes to balance innovation, productivity, and security as autonomous systems become more powerful. KEY TAKEAWAYS • AI agents blend machine identity with human-like decision making • Most organizations are not fully prepared for the identity challenges created by AI • Identity-related vulnerabilities are involved in the majority of cybersecurity breaches • Zero trust principles become increasingly important as AI agents gain autonomy • Strong authentication and authorization practices help reduce enterprise risk • Organizations must balance security, productivity, and innovation as AI adoption grows TL;DR AI agents are transforming how people and organizations interact with technology. Eve Maler explains why non-human identities, delegation, authorization, and zero trust principles are becoming essential as autonomous AI systems gain access to more data, systems, and decision-making responsibilities. WHO IS THIS FOR? • CIOs • CISOs • Chief Digital Officers • Identity & Access Management (IAM) Professionals • Security Leaders • IT Operations Teams • Risk & Compliance Leaders • AI Governance Teams • Enterprise Architects • Digital Transformation Leaders • Technology Executives Evaluating AI Adoption FAQ Q: What is a non-human identity (NHI)? A: A non-human identity is a machine, application, service account, or AI agent that requires authenticated access to systems and data. Q: What is Zero Trust? A: Zero Trust is a security model based on the principle of "never trust, always verify," continuously validating access to systems and resources. Q: Why are AI agents creating new security risks? A: AI agents can act autonomously, access multiple systems, discover vulnerabilities, and perform actions on behalf of users, creating new governance and security challenges. Q: What are passkeys? A: Passkeys are a modern authentication method designed to replace passwords with more secure, phishing-resistant credentials. Q: Why does identity matter in the age of AI? A: As AI systems increasingly act on behalf of people and organizations, identity, authorization, and trust become critical to ensuring those actions remain secure and accountable. Watch the full episode in the Readiverse: https://bit.ly/4hwd91G #ArtificialIntelligence #AIAgents #DigitalIdentity #ZeroTrust #Cybersecurity #IdentitySecurity #ReadyOrNot #EveMaler