Key Takeaways from "Cybersecurity ist Chefsache" Podcast
In a recent episode of the "Cybersecurity ist Chefsache" podcast, CyberDesk's Co-founder and CEO, Tobias Liberum, joined a deep dive discussion on the crucial topic of identity security. With cyber attacks on the rise and data being a valuable asset, the episode explored how organizations can protect themselves by focusing on identities, which have become the new perimeter in the cloud age.
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German Version:
Key Take-aways
The evolving landscape of identities goes beyond traditional user accounts. Today, organizations must manage a growing mix of human identities (employees, partners, and customers) and non-human identities (machine accounts, IoT, and OT systems). This complexity makes it increasingly difficult to track access permissions, creating a major security challenge. Over 95% of access rights are unused, yet 80% of breaches stem from compromised identities—highlighting the urgent need for better access control.
Managing privileged access is essential, but security shouldn't stop there. While Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a critical layer, it isn’t a standalone solution. Authorization—ensuring users have the right permissions at the right time—is equally important. A significant portion of breaches come from insiders, either maliciously or accidentally, making visibility and continuous monitoring crucial. Adopting the "need to know" principle and dynamically managing roles, potentially with AI, can help prevent permission sprawl and reduce attack surfaces.
A major pain point is the Joiner, Mover, and Leaver (JML) lifecycle—employees often retain outdated access long after role changes. Regular audits and a radical revoke-and-regrant approach can help reset permissions efficiently. Identity threats such as phishing, pass-the-hash, and overlooked non-human accounts further emphasize the importance of transparent approval processes and strict governance. The shift toward Zero Trust models reinforces the idea that access should always be reassessed based on context, behavior, and risk.
Looking ahead, AI and automation will play a crucial role in identity security, helping to analyze data, predict risks, and streamline decision-making. Decentralized identities could also gain traction, but organizations must first establish a strong foundation. With increasing support for local, European security solutions, companies are focusing on faster response cycles and greater control over security roadmaps. As cyber threats evolve, identity security must remain a priority, striking the right balance between usability and protection.
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Founders
Dr. Tobias Lieberum & Prabhakar Mishra
Year of foundation
2022
Headquarters
Munich, Germany
About CyberDesk
Founded in 2022 and based in Munich, Germany, CyberDesk is led by Dr. Tobias Lieberum and Prabhakar Mishra. In their previous careers in sensitive environments in banking and consulting, the founders firsthand witnessed the challenges of securing data access in the cloud. In lack of a satisfactory solution, they decided to solve this global threat themselves.
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