10 Identity Security Metrics Every IT Leader Should Be Tracking in 2025
- nvitsinskyi
- Jun 11
- 2 min read
Identity Is the Core of Modern Security
In today’s hybrid cloud environments, identity is the most targeted attack surface. Whether you're running Azure AD, Entra ID, or a hybrid Active Directory, tracking the right identity metrics is critical for reducing risk and improving resilience.
After over two decades in cybersecurity, I can confidently say that what you don’t monitor in identity is what attackers will target. These 10 metrics should be at the top of every IT and security leader’s dashboard.
1. Number of Privileged Accounts
Privileged roles like Global Admin or Domain Admin should be tightly limited. Microsoft recommends keeping the number of privileged accounts under 5. Avoid standing privileges by using Just-in-Time (JIT) access through Entra ID PIM. Too many always-on admins is a red flag and an unnecessary risk.
2. Privileged Access Usage
Track how often privileged roles are activated—and for what purpose. Rarely used permanent access should be replaced with JIT elevation. Frequent use may indicate abuse or misconfigured roles.
3. Inactive or Orphaned Accounts
These include accounts not tied to current employees or systems. They're prime targets for lateral movement and privilege escalation. Schedule automated reviews and cleanups.
4. MFA Adoption Rate
Your goal should be 100% MFA coverage, including service accounts where possible. Prioritize high-value users and external collaborators. Microsoft’s Identity Protection can help enforce this at scale.
5. Conditional Access Coverage
How much of your user activity is protected by Conditional Access policies? You want near-total coverage for all logins—especially from unmanaged devices or external locations.
6. Failed Login Trends
Spikes in failed sign-ins could indicate brute-force attempts, compromised passwords, or bot attacks. Break down by location, device, and time to detect anomalies early.
7. Service Principal and App Registration Volume
Monitor how many service principals and app registrations are being created. A surge may indicate automation misuse, credential leaks, or a compromised developer environment.
8. Access Review Completion Rates
Measure how consistently your teams complete Access Reviews—especially for sensitive roles and resources. Low participation rates can lead to privilege creep and compliance gaps.
9. High-Risk Sign-In Events
Entra ID flags high-risk logins—like those involving TOR, leaked credentials, or impossible travel. Don’t just monitor these—measure how quickly they’re investigated and resolved.
10. Identity Governance Policy Coverage
What percentage of your identities—users and machines—are governed by lifecycle policies, provisioning automation, or access packages? Low coverage = high identity sprawl risk.
Why Metrics Like These Matter
Tracking these identity KPIs enables proactive risk management, faster incident response, and stronger alignment with Zero Trust and compliance frameworks.
We help businesses design and implement measurable, modern identity governance frameworks using Microsoft Entra ID, Azure AD, and Microsoft Sentinel.
Want help building your identity security dashboard? Contact us today for a tailored assessment or consultation.
