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---
id: workload-72e635f5
title: Implementing Workload Identity
description: >
  Assign and verify identities for workloads and services
  using automated analysis and remediation techniques.
mode: ARCHITECT
tags:
  - zero-trust
  - workload-identity
  - spiffe
  - service-mesh
metadata:
  mitre-attack: ["T1078.004"]
---

# Implementing Workload Identity

> **`[MODE: ARCHITECT]`** — Assign and verify identities for workloads and services.

## Quick Reference

```bash
# Run the implementing-workload-identity agent
node scripts/agent.js --target <TARGET> --mode assess

# Generate a report
node scripts/agent.js --target <TARGET> --mode report --output report.json

# Analyze with verbose output
node scripts/agent.js --target <TARGET> --mode verify --verbose
```

## Overview

Implementing Workload Identity is a critical zero trust technique that addresses
common security risks in modern environments. This skill provides automated
tooling and structured methodology for practitioners to assign and verify identities for workloads and services.

### Key Concepts

- **Identification**: Detect relevant indicators and patterns
- **Analysis**: Evaluate severity and business impact
- **Remediation**: Apply targeted fixes with verification
- **Monitoring**: Establish ongoing detection coverage

## Workflow

### Phase 1 — Discovery

Enumerate the target environment and identify the attack surface
relevant to implementing workload identity.

```bash
node scripts/agent.js --target <TARGET> --mode assess --phase discovery
```

**Expected output**: JSON inventory of identified targets and initial findings.

### Phase 2 — Analysis

Perform deep analysis of discovered items to determine risk level
and exploitability.

```bash
node scripts/agent.js --target <TARGET> --mode verify --phase analysis
```

**Expected output**: Categorized findings with severity ratings.

### Phase 3 — Remediation

Apply recommended fixes and generate compliance evidence.

```bash
node scripts/agent.js --target <TARGET> --mode report --phase remediation
```

**Expected output**: Remediation report with before/after comparison.

## Verification

### Automated Verification

```bash
# Verify remediation was applied correctly
node scripts/agent.js --target <TARGET> --mode assess --verify

# Run regression check
node scripts/agent.js --target <TARGET> --mode verify --regression
```

### Manual Verification Checklist

- [ ] All identified issues have been addressed
- [ ] Remediation does not break functionality
- [ ] Detection rules are deployed and tested
- [ ] Documentation is updated with findings
- [ ] Stakeholders have been notified of changes

### Validation Criteria

| Check | Expected Result | Tool |
|-------|----------------|------|
| Configuration audit | No critical findings | `agent.js --mode assess` |
| Regression test | All tests pass | `agent.js --verify` |
| Detection coverage | Rules firing on test data | SIEM validation |

## Detection Opportunities

When operating in ARCHITECT mode, consider these detection angles:

- Monitor for configuration changes related to implementing workload identity
- Alert on anomalous patterns that indicate exploitation attempts
- Correlate findings with threat intelligence feeds
- Baseline normal behavior to identify deviations

```yaml
title: Workload Identity Detection
id: cd80b43f-f734-4774-a1d4-5d2fa3529a2e
status: experimental
description: Detects suspicious activity related to implementing workload identity techniques in zero trust context
logsource:
  category: authentication
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    EventType: authentication
    Status: failure
  condition: selection
level: medium
tags:
  - attack.t1078.004
  - attack.lateral_movement
falsepositives:
  - Zero trust policy engine evaluating routine access requests
```

## References

- [MITRE ATT&CK](https://attack.mitre.org/) — Technique mapping
- [CIS Benchmarks](https://www.cisecurity.org/cis-benchmarks) — Hardening standards
- [NIST SP 800-53](https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-53/rev-5/final) — Security controls
- [OWASP](https://owasp.org/) — Web application security guidance
- See also: `references/api-reference.md` for API documentation
