Privileged Access Management

Privileged credentials serve as the keys to an organization's IT kingdom, providing access to sensitive data and critical systems. However, these credentials are highly sought-after by external attackers and malicious insiders who attempt to gain direct access to the heart of the enterprise. ​

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As a result, an organization's security and protection of its sensitive data is only as strong as its privileged credentials. To authenticate users and systems to privileged accounts, most organizations utilize a mix of privileged credentials such as passwords, API keys, certificates, tokens, and SSH keys. To maintain their security, all of these credentials must be securely stored, rotated, and additionally authenticated for each use with multifactor authentication (MFA). If left unsecured, attackers can easily obtain these valuable secrets and credentials, leading to the compromise of privileged accounts, the advancement of attacks, or the exfiltration of data. As organizations begin to focus on protecting passwords, attackers have shifted their attention to SSH keys, which are often overlooked.

​What is Privileged Access Management (PAM)?

PAM is a set of processes and technologies used to manage and secure privileged access to sensitive resources within an organization. Privileged access refers to access to systems, applications, and data that is granted to users with elevated permissions or privileges, such as system administrators, network administrators, and database administrators.

The primary goal of PAM is to ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive resources, and that those users are using their privileged access in a controlled and monitored manner. This is achieved through a range of security controls, including:
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• Identity and Access Management: This includes authentication, authorization, and access control mechanisms that verify user identities and grant access to specific resources based on predefined policies.
• Privilege Elevation and Delegation: This involves elevating or delegating privileges for specific tasks, allowing users to perform their duties without having unnecessary access to sensitive systems or data.
• Session Monitoring and Recording: This includes monitoring and recording of privileged user sessions, providing a complete audit trail of all activities performed by privileged users.
• Password Management: This includes secure storage and management of privileged account passwords, enforcing password policies, and regularly rotating passwords to prevent unauthorized access.

By implementing a PAM solution, organizations can reduce the risk of data breaches, compliance violations, and other security incidents that could result from unauthorized access or misuse of privileged accounts.

The Difference Between IAM & PAM

Privileged Access Management (PAM) and Identity and Access Management (IAM) are both critical components of an organization's overall security posture. While there is some overlap between the two, there are also significant differences in their focus and capabilities.

IAM is concerned with managing user access to resources based on their role within the organization. It includes processes and technologies that ensure users are authenticated, authorized, and granted appropriate access to systems and data based on their job responsibilities. IAM typically manages a large number of users with varying levels of access to different resources and applications.

On the other hand, PAM is specifically focused on managing and securing privileged access to sensitive resources. This includes access to systems, applications, and data that are typically only granted to users with elevated privileges, such as system administrators, network administrators, and database administrators. PAM typically deals with a smaller number of users but is concerned with the highest level of access within an organization.

The key difference between IAM and PAM is the level of access being managed. IAM focuses on managing user access to resources based on their role, while PAM is concerned with managing and securing privileged access to sensitive resources. Additionally, PAM typically involves more stringent security controls, such as session monitoring and recording, to ensure that privileged access is being used appropriately and not abused.

​Are IAM and PAM Complimentary?

IAM and PAM are complementary solutions that work together to provide a comprehensive security framework for an organization. While there is some overlap in their capabilities, they address different aspects of security and access management.

While there is some overlap in their capabilities, IAM and PAM address different levels of access and risks. IAM manages access to resources for all users, while PAM manages access to the highest level of access within an organization. Together, they provide a comprehensive security framework that ensures secure access management and control for all users, including those with elevated privileges.

​The Challenges of PAM

Implementing an effective Privileged Access Management (PAM) program can be somewhat challenging, and organizations must be aware of the potential obstacles that they may face when implementing a PAM solution. Some of the common challenges include:

• Legacy systems: Many organizations still rely on legacy systems that may not be compatible with modern PAM solutions. This can make it difficult to implement PAM across the entire enterprise.
• Integration with existing security solutions: PAM solutions need to integrate with existing security solutions, such as SIEM and IAM, to provide a comprehensive security framework. This can be challenging, especially if there are different vendors involved.
• Complex IT environments: In complex IT environments with multiple systems and applications, it can be challenging to identify all privileged accounts and ensure that they are properly secured.
• Multiple authentication systems: Organizations may use multiple authentication systems, such as Active Directory and LDAP, which can complicate PAM implementation.
• Managing a large number of privileged accounts: Organizations typically have many privileged accounts across multiple systems, making it difficult to keep track of who has access to what and when. This can lead to confusion and gaps in security.
• Balancing security with user productivity: While it is essential to maintain a high level of security, too many security measures can hinder user productivity. Users may need access to sensitive systems and data to perform their jobs efficiently, so balancing security with productivity is crucial.
• Ensuring accountability and compliance: PAM programs must be designed to ensure that all privileged access is logged and audited to meet compliance requirements. This can be challenging, as different systems may have different logging mechanisms.
• Securing third-party access: Organizations often have third-party contractors or vendors who require privileged access to systems and data. This can pose a significant security risk, as these third-party users may not be subject to the same security controls and policies as internal employees.
• Compliance requirements: Organizations may need to comply with various regulatory requirements, such as PCI DSS or HIPAA, which can impact PAM implementation and require additional security measures.

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Overcoming resistance to change: Implementing a PAM program requires changes to existing processes and workflows, which can be met with resistance from users who are comfortable with the way things have been done in the past. It is essential to get buy-in from stakeholders and provide adequate training and support to ensure successful adoption.

To address these challenges, organizations should carefully plan their PAM implementation and work with their vendors and stakeholders to ensure that all systems and applications are properly integrated and secured. It is important to establish clear policies and procedures for privileged access management and ensure that all users are trained on best practices for secure access management.

​Additionally, organizations should regularly assess their PAM solutions to ensure that they are effective and compliant with all regulatory requirements. Overall, implementing a successful PAM program requires a commitment to ongoing management and monitoring, as well as a willingness to adapt to changing security threats and compliance requirements.