Understanding the Current State of Identity Governance
Omada A/S, a renowned name in Identity Governance and Administration (IGA), unveiled its insightful annual report known as the State of Identity Governance 2026. This report, derived from primary research involving 577 experts in identity and cybersecurity, sheds light on the ongoing trends, challenges, and developments in identity environments. It indicates that while automation has enabled substantial growth in identity environments, the connection between Identity scalability and executive transparency still needs to be stronger.
Key Findings from Omada's Report
The research highlights a significant commitment from organizations towards enhancing their identity governance practices. Many are embracing Zero Trust principles while boasting high confidence levels regarding their identity security frameworks. In addition, the report outlines some clear areas where executive oversight appears to be lacking.
Increasing Non-Human Identities
One of the standout findings reveals that non-human identities have surpassed human identities within many organizations by a staggering ratio, often exceeding 50:1. Unfortunately, the responsibility for managing these identities remains diffused across various teams, leading to confusion and inefficiency.
High Confidence but Limited Metrics
Despite executives expressing confidence in their identity security measures, the report points out that fewer organizations utilize important metrics. Metrics such as privileged access coverage, time taken to revoke access, and orphaned accounts are not consistently monitored, creating potential vulnerabilities.
Growing Adoption of Agentic AI
An exciting trend noted within the report is the widespread adoption of agentic AI technologies. Approximately 85% of organizations are either currently using or piloting such technologies. However, security vulnerabilities accompanying agentic AI implementation remain the primary concern for many.
Governance Expectations vs. Reality
Interestingly, the expectations surrounding governance appear to surpass actual implementation. Executives, in their reports, are more likely to note the presence of stronger identity controls, particularly for AI agents, compared to practitioners who are actually addressing these measures.
Universal Zero Trust Adoption
The report also indicates that while Zero Trust principles have been widely adopted, challenges with interoperability among identity and security platforms impede unified reporting capabilities. This barrier prevents organizations from achieving complete visibility across their identity governance systems.
Executive Insights and Future Implications
Lisa Berg Rydsbo, CMO of Omada, emphasized the crucial findings of the report by stating, "Identity has become the new security perimeter, but our research shows executives are flying blind. Organizations are deploying AI agents that multiply their attack surface by orders of magnitude, while leadership lacks visibility into even basic identity hygiene metrics. This isn't just a reporting gap – it's a governance crisis with real breach, compliance, and reputational consequences."
In conclusion, the report advocates that effective identity governance should evolve into a dynamic, machine-driven control layer that supports Zero Trust environments, automation, and AI-driven processes. Organizations that can successfully align their executive reporting with identity exposure and responsibility are better positioned to navigate these turbulent changes as identity landscapes continue to expand.
About Omada
Omada stands tall as a global market leader in Identity Governance and Administration (IGA). It presents a comprehensive and cloud-native IGA solution designed to help organizations ensure compliance, mitigate risks, and enhance operational efficiency. Established in 2000, Omada specializes in providing innovative identity management solutions for intricate hybrid environments, utilizing a proven framework and streamlined deployment strategies. For more information, visit Omada's official website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Omada's report?
The report focuses on the current trends in identity governance, highlighting the gaps between automation and executive visibility.
How many organizations were surveyed for the report?
Omada's report is based on research conducted with 577 identity and cybersecurity professionals.
What major trends are influencing identity governance?
The report identifies increasing non-human identities and the rise of agentic AI as significant trends influencing identity governance.
Why is executive reporting important in identity governance?
Executive reporting helps organizations identify and manage potential risks associated with identity security, ensuring that they have visibility over critical metrics.
What is Zero Trust, and why is it relevant to this report?
Zero Trust is a security model that requires strict identity verification for every person and device attempting to access resources on a network, which is a central part of modern identity governance.
