Orphaned account management is the process of identifying and managing user accounts that are no longer in use or are no longer associated with a valid user. Orphaned accounts can pose a security risk because they may still have access to sensitive data or systems, and they may not be subject to the same controls and monitoring as active accounts.
In the context of identity and access management (IAM), orphaned account management is an important aspect of maintaining the security and integrity of an organization’s systems and data. By regularly reviewing and identifying orphaned accounts, an organization can ensure that only authorized users have access to its resources, and that inactive or unnecessary accounts are properly deactivated or removed. This can help to prevent unauthorized access, reduce the risk of data breaches, and improve overall security posture.
Effective orphaned account management involves regularly reviewing user accounts to identify those that are no longer in use or are no longer associated with a valid user. This may involve comparing the list of active accounts to a list of employees or contractors, or checking for accounts that have not been accessed in a certain period of time. Once orphaned accounts are identified, they should be deactivated or removed to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. It is also important to have a process in place for re-activating or creating new accounts as needed, to ensure that authorized users have the access they need to do their jobs.