What is PAM? (Privileged Access Management)

What is PAM?

PAM (Privileged Access Management)is a security framework designed to manage, monitor, and control access to sensitive systems, data, and applications.

It provides a centralized platform to manage privileged accounts, which are accounts with elevated permissions that can access sensitive resources.

How Does PAM Work?

1. Privileged Account Discovery: PAM discovers and inventories all privileged accounts across the organization.

2. Account Onboarding: PAM onboards privileged accounts, which involves creating, updating, and deleting accounts as needed.

3. Access Request and Approval: Users request access to privileged accounts, and PAM routes the request to designated approvers for approval.

4. Session Management: PAM establishes a secure session for the user to access the privileged account, and monitors the session in real-time.

5. Session Recording and Auditing: PAM records and audits all privileged sessions, providing a detailed record of all activities.

6. Password Management: PAM securely stores and manages privileged account passwords, and rotates them regularly.

Tools Used in PAM:

1. Privileged Account Management Software: Software that provides a centralized platform to manage privileged accounts, such as CyberArk, BeyondTrust, and Centrify.

2. Password Vaults: Secure storage solutions that protect privileged account passwords, such as HashiCorp's Vault and Thycotic's Secret Server.

3. Session Management Tools: Tools that establish and monitor secure sessions for privileged access, such as Bomgar and ObserveIT.

4. Auditing and Logging Tools: Tools that provide detailed auditing and logging capabilities for privileged access, such as Splunk and ELK Stack.

Benefits of PAM:

1. Improved Security: PAM reduces the risk of privileged account misuse and cyber attacks.

2. Compliance: PAM helps organizations meet regulatory requirements and compliance standards.

3. Increased Efficiency: PAM automates privileged account management tasks, reducing manual effort and improving productivity.

4. Better Visibility and Control: PAM provides real-time monitoring and control over privileged access, enabling organizations to respond quickly to security incidents.

Best Practices for Implementing PAM:

1. Conduct a Privileged Account Discovery: Identify and inventory all privileged accounts across the organization.

2. Implement a Centralized PAM Platform: Use a centralized PAM platform to manage and monitor privileged access.

3. Establish a Least Privilege Model: Grant users only the privileges they need to perform their job functions.

4. Regularly Review and Update PAM Policies: Regularly review and update PAM policies to ensure they remain effective and aligned with organizational needs.