The Identity Crisis: Why Stolen Credentials Are the #1 Cyber Threat Today

The lock on your front door is useless if someone has the key. That’s the unsettling truth behind today’s most common cyberattacks. They don’t start with brute force. They start with a login.

Identity-based attacks are now the primary method cybercriminals use to breach networks. Why? Because valid credentials give them legitimate access, bypassing traditional security tools undetected.

The New Normal: Attackers Using Real Accounts

• Phishing, social engineering, dark web sales, and MFA fatigue are all contributing to one core problem: attackers gaining access to valid user accounts.
• These compromised identities are then used to move laterally across networks, escalate privileges, and launch data exfiltration or ransomware campaigns all while appearing “legit.”

What Makes Identity-Based Attacks So Dangerous?

• They look normal: No obvious malware, no flagged traffic, no alerts, just a login from a user you trust.
• They’re persistent: Once inside, attackers blend in. Some dwell in networks for weeks or months before acting.
• They’re hard to detect: Traditional perimeter defenses and antivirus tools often miss them completely.

Why Zero Trust Isn’t Just a Buzzword Anymore
A true Zero Trust strategy assumes the breach has already happened. It doesn’t rely on implicit trust based on location or credentials alone.

Defense Starts Here:

1. Continuously Monitor Identities
   Monitor not just logins, but how accounts behave. Flag abnormal behavior, even if the account is “authorized.”
2. Implement Least Privilege Access
   Users should have just enough access to do their jobs, nothing more. Over-permissioned accounts are a jackpot for attackers.
3. Strengthen MFA, but Don’t Stop There
   MFA is important, but it can be phished and fatigued. Pair it with conditional access policies and identity-based threat analytics.
4. Audit Inactive and Dormant Accounts
   These are often forgotten, rarely monitored, and easily exploited. Remove or lock what’s not being used.

Executive Takeaway:
Attackers no longer hack in. They log in. If identity is the new perimeter, then monitoring and managing it must become a board-level priority. Credentials may be invisible, but the risk is anything but.