“Automation Gone Dark”: Scripts, Bots & Identity Drift

Task Automation Scripts Are Being Repurposed for Data Exfiltration

Well-intentioned scripts used for backups, exports, or report generation are easily hijacked to siphon sensitive data — often without triggering alerts.

Service Accounts Accumulate Privileges Over Time

Automation accounts often gain elevated access as teams expand features — but those privileges rarely get reviewed or rolled back.

“Temporary” Access Exceptions Become Long-Term Threats

One-time policy overrides (for testing or urgent tasks) often remain in place for months, creating silent openings for insider or external abuse.

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Infrastructure-as-Code Tools Are Becoming Attack Surfaces

Tools like Terraform and Ansible can be used to modify IAM policies, spin up rogue services, or inject malicious config — all under the radar.

Bots Operating Outside IAM Are Invisible to Security Teams

API-based bots using static keys often bypass SSO, MFA, or access logging. Once compromised, they move laterally without human trace.

Automation Pipelines Lack Change Governance

Workflow automation often lives in shared folders or repos with no peer review. A single change can alter the entire execution flow or access scope.