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Good practice

Keep service accounts secure, traceable, and aligned with least privilege.

When to use this​

  • Use it when creating, reviewing, or investigating service accounts.
  • Use it in audits of automations.
  • Use it when defining governance standards for integrations.

Before you start​

  • Have an inventory of existing accounts.
  • Identify the owner, the purpose, and the data accessed.
  • Set a review and rotation schedule.

Step by step​

  1. Make sure every account has a responsible owner.
  2. Use clear names and a single purpose.
  3. Grant only the data needed.
  4. Rotate secrets periodically.
  5. Revoke unused accounts.
  6. Review the attached data rules.
  7. Monitor the audit trail for sensitive accounts.

What happens next​

  • The organization reduces the risk of forgotten credentials.
  • Auditors can understand who or what used data.
  • Automation stays separate from human identities.

Common errors​

  • A generic account for several systems.
  • A secret shared through unapproved channels.
  • Broad access with no review.

Good practice​

  • One account, one purpose.
  • A clear owner and periodic review.
  • Least privilege always, especially for automations.

Next steps​