AI Agents Run on Secret Accounts: What SMBs Need to Know

AI is revolutionizing workflows for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Automations, chatbots, and smart integrations save time and money—but they also introduce invisible risks. Here’s what’s lurking below the surface: every AI agent relies on secret accounts and credentials working behind the scenes. These non-human identities—API keys, service accounts, and tokens—control software bots, automate processes, and transfer information between apps. But if left unsecured, they can become a hacker’s backdoor into your business.

Are Invisible AI Accounts Creating New Security Holes?

Most SMB leaders focus on securing traditional user accounts, but machine identities are multiplying even faster. AI deployments often create dozens (or hundreds) of service accounts, many with broad access. If these secrets are leaked—or simply forgotten—they can be exploited to steal data or disrupt operations. According to the 2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, over 50% of breaches now involve stolen or misused credentials, including those tied to non-human identities (Verizon, 2024).

Why Should SMB Owners Care?

• Hackers target unmonitored accounts, because they’re rarely changed or tracked.
• Leaked API keys and service accounts can enable ransomware or data theft—without tripping user alerts.
• Regulatory fines and loss of customer trust are real risks if sensitive data or systems are compromised.

Every AI integration is an opportunity—but also a new responsibility. Don’t let “set-and-forget” automation expose your business to silent threats.

Key Takeaways: What You Can Do in the Next 30 Days

1. Inventory Every Service Account
   Document all non-human identities and associated AI integrations across your applications. This includes bot users, API keys, and OAuth tokens. Uncovering what exists is step one.
2. Enforce Least-Privilege Access
   Review what each service account can do. Restrict permissions to only what’s needed, and remove unused or dormant credentials immediately.
3. Automate Credential Rotation
   Set up reminders or automated tools to regularly change out API keys and service credentials—just as you (hopefully) do for human passwords.
4. Centralize Secrets Management
   Store all credentials in a secure password or secrets manager, not in spreadsheets or emails. Audit access regularly.
5. Monitor for Unusual Activity
   Use logging and alerting tools to spot suspicious use of service accounts. Automated monitoring detects misuse faster than manual checks.

Did you know? Non-human identities are expected to outnumber human users by 45:1 in enterprise environments by 2025. (Gartner, 2023)

If your business is automating more and more—now’s the time to make secret account management routine. Feeling overwhelmed? Book a short strategy call to see how BoltWork can help you map and control your AI-related risks.

Secure, Simplify, and Save Money

Adopting a disciplined approach to secret accounts and machine identities helps in three ways:

• Secure: Reduces your attack surface and keeps threat actors out.
• Simplify: Streamlines access, making onboarding/offboarding and audits less stressful.
• Reduce Costs: Avoids breaches, downtime, and regulatory headaches that damage both reputation and bottom line.

Managing invisible AI accounts isn’t just an IT problem—it’s a business continuity must.

Ready to Assess Your AI Risks?

Secret accounts are multiplying across every SMB using modern software. Don’t wait for a headline-making breach to take action. Book a 15-minute security consult with BoltWork and learn how to secure both your human and non-human digital workforce. Peace of mind starts with visibility—and expert support.

References

• Verizon. “2024 Data Breach Investigations Report.” 2024.
• Gartner. “Identity-First Security: How to Manage Non-Human Identities.” 2023.
• TheHackerNews. “AI Agents Run on Secret Accounts.” June 2025.