Eliminate Orphaned Accounts

Key Takeaway:
Orphaned accounts are inactive user accounts that still have access to systems and data. These forgotten identities are a major security risk and are often exploited in breaches. Regularly identifying and removing them is critical for protecting your environment.

What Are Orphaned Accounts
An orphaned account belongs to someone who no longer needs access. This includes:

• Former employees

• Temporary contractors

• Internal users who changed roles

• Vendors or partners whose access was never revoked

These accounts are easy to overlook but can still carry high levels of privilege, making them attractive targets for attackers.

Why They Are Dangerous

Orphaned accounts pose serious risks because they:

• Often go unmonitored for long periods

• May bypass standard security controls

• Can retain privileged access

• Are not detected during regular user activity reviews

Attackers know this and actively look for unused or forgotten credentials to move undetected across systems.

Common Causes

Orphaned accounts often exist because of:

• Manual onboarding and offboarding processes

• Poor communication between HR and IT

• Delays in updating identity records

• Lack of centralized access management

• Inconsistent use of single sign on systems

These gaps lead to accounts slipping through the cracks long after a person has left the organization.

How to Detect and Remove Orphaned Accounts

A strong identity lifecycle management process should include:

1. Automated deprovisioning
   When a user leaves or changes roles, their access should be removed automatically.

2. Regular access reviews
   Conduct quarterly or monthly audits of all user accounts, especially in critical systems.

3. Cross department coordination
   Ensure HR, IT, and team leads are aligned on role changes and terminations.

4. Use of identity governance tools
   These tools help map and track access across systems, flagging inactive or redundant accounts.

5. Disable before deletion
   Temporarily disabling accounts allows for recovery if needed, while reducing immediate risk.

Do Not Forget Service Accounts

Service accounts used for automation or integration often remain active long after they are needed. Apply the same scrutiny to these identities, including:

• Ownership assignment

• Clear documentation

• Credential rotation

• Review of associated permissions

They should be treated with the same importance as user accounts.

The Cost of Doing Nothing

Orphaned accounts are often the easiest way in for attackers. Breaches involving these accounts can go unnoticed for months and result in major data loss, compliance violations, and reputational damage.

Cleaning up identity sprawl and enforcing access hygiene can dramatically reduce risk.

A Cleaner Identity Environment Is a Safer One

Eliminating orphaned accounts is not just good practice. It is a key part of maintaining a strong and secure identity foundation. When every account is tied to a real person with a real business need, your organization becomes harder to compromise and easier to manage.