One compromised privileged account can be enough to disable security controls, move through critical systems, and expose your organization\u2019s sensitive data. Privileged identities, including administrators, third parties, and service accounts, pose the highest risk in IT environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this post, we explore the definition of a privileged access management (PAM) tool, how it protects privileged accounts, and the capabilities you should consider when choosing a PAM solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A privileged access management (PAM) tool<\/strong> is software that helps organizations secure, control, and monitor access to accounts with elevated permissions, such as administrator, root, service, and domain accounts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Modern PAM tools are designed to reduce the risks associated with privileged access by discovering sensitive accounts, protecting credentials, limiting who can use them, and recording what happens during privileged sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Privileged accounts can make critical changes to systems, applications, and data, which makes them them essential for IT operations and highly attractive to attackers. If such accounts are not properly controlled, a single compromise can lead to data theft, ransomware deployment, unauthorized configuration changes, or lateral movement across your environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A PAM solution can help your organization:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As reflected in Gartner\u2019s research on How to Manage Admin Privileges on Endpoints<\/em><\/a> (subscription required), organizations should use tools that \u201cremove persistent local admin rights\u201d and enable \u201cjust enough access,\u201d which is a core reason PAM tools matter today. They help security teams reduce standing privileges<\/a>, control the granting of elevated access, and maintain oversight of high-risk activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At its core, a privileged access management solution<\/a> provides organizations with a structured way to manage privileged credentials and govern the granting and use of elevated access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of allowing administrators, third parties, or internal users to access critical systems with shared or unmanaged credentials, a PAM tool centralizes control and enforces security policies around privileged activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An effective PAM solution usually performs five core functions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t Core functions of a PAM solution<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n Discover privileged accounts across the environment, including local admin, domain, shared, and service accounts.<\/p>\n\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n Store privileged credentials in a secure vault rather than allowing employees to leave them exposed in spreadsheets and uncontrollably share.<\/p>\n\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n Control access to credentials and systems through authentication, authorization, and approval workflows.<\/p>\n\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n Monitor privileged sessions to create visibility into user actions and suspicious behavior.<\/p>\n\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t 5<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generate logs and audit trails to support investigations, accountability, and compliance efforts.<\/p>\n\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\t\t\t \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n In other words, a privileged access management solution is not just a password vault. It is a broader security control that helps organizations enhance their overall cybersecurity posture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When evaluating a privileged access management tool, consider two things: whether the platform includes the core security capabilities<\/a> you need and whether it fits your infrastructure, workflows, and long-term requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t Must-have PAM features<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t Just-in-time access provisioning<\/p>\n\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t Two-factor authentication<\/p>\n\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t Workforce password management<\/p>\n\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t Role-based access control<\/p>\n\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t Account discovery<\/p>\n\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t Privileged user monitoring<\/p>\n\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t Real-time threat response<\/p>\n\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t Analytics and reporting<\/p>\n\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\t\t\t \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n A strong PAM solution should give you the controls, visibility, and flexibility needed to secure privileged access in real-world environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to functionality, pay attention to the following criteria for choosing the right PAM tool<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For organizations that want to reduce insider risk, improve accountability, and secure privileged operations in one platform, a PAM tool should deliver both control and visibility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Syteca<\/a> is an intelligent PAM platform that incorporates comprehensive identity threat detection and response<\/a> (ITDR) capabilities directly into the access management workflow. Thus, Syteca provides you with uninterrupted access governance from the moment the user logs in until the end of the session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t Want to try Syteca? Request access Discover why organizations in over 70 countries trust Syteca to protect against identity threats<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\tWhy do organizations need a PAM tool?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What does a PAM tool do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What should you look for in a PAM tool?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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