What is Privileged Account Management (PAM)?

Privileged Account Management (PAM) is a cybersecurity strategy and set of technologies designed to control, monitor, secure, and audit the use of privileged accounts. These are accounts with elevated permissions that allow users to access critical systems, applications, and data.

Privileged accounts include:

  • Administrator accounts (e.g., Windows Admin)

  • Root accounts (in Unix/Linux systems)

  • Service accounts

  • Application accounts

  • Domain admin accounts

  • Cloud platform privileged roles (like AWS IAM roles, Azure AD admin)

Why is PAM Important?

Privileged accounts are prime targets for cyber attackers because they provide unrestricted access to systems. If compromised, they can lead to:

  • Data breaches

  • Ransomware attacks

  • Insider threats

  • Compliance failures

PAM helps minimize the attack surface by limiting how, when, and by whom privileged credentials can be used.

Key Features of Privileged Account Management

1. Credential Vaulting

  • Securely stores and encrypts passwords in a central vault.

  • Automatically rotates credentials after use to prevent misuse.

2. Session Management & Monitoring

  • Records all privileged sessions for auditing.

  • Enables real-time monitoring and termination of suspicious activity.

3. Least Privilege Enforcement

  • Grants only the access needed for a specific task and nothing more.

  • Ensures temporary or just-in-time (JIT) access to reduce standing privileges.

4. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

  • Adds an additional layer of verification to access privileged accounts.

5. Automated Password Rotation

  • Periodically changes credentials to prevent password fatigue or reuse.

6. Audit and Reporting

  • Tracks every action performed with a privileged account.

  • Ensures compliance with standards like GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001, SOX, etc.

How PAM Fits into Identity Security

PAM is a subset of Identity and Access Management (IAM) and works best when integrated with:

  • Single Sign-On (SSO)

  • Identity Governance & Administration (IGA)

  • Zero Trust Architecture

It helps organizations implement "zero standing privilege" (ZSP) and follow the principle of least privilege (PoLP), both of which are vital in Zero Trust environments.

Leading PAM Solution Providers

  • CyberArk – Industry leader in PAM solutions.

  • BeyondTrust

  • Thycotic (now Delinea)

  • One Identity

  • IBM Security Secret Server

Benefits of Implementing PAM

  • Stronger protection against insider threats and cyberattacks.

  • Better visibility and control over who accesses critical systems.

  • Improved compliance and audit readiness.

  • Reduced operational risk and improved accountability.

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