Privileged Access Management

What Is PAM?

Privileged Access Management (PAM) secures the accounts and credentials that have elevated access to an organization's most sensitive systems. These "privileged accounts" — admin accounts, root accounts, service accounts, API keys — are prime targets for attackers because compromising one can give access to entire systems.

PAM solutions enforce the principle of least privilege by ensuring users only get the elevated access they need, only when they need it, and that every privileged session is monitored and recorded.

Core PAM Capabilities

• Privileged credential vaulting: Securely store and rotate passwords, SSH keys, and API keys
• Just-in-time (JIT) access: Grant temporary elevated privileges with automatic revocation
• Session monitoring and recording: Record privileged sessions for audit and forensic review
• Least privilege enforcement: Remove standing admin rights, require approval workflows
• Service account management: Discover, vault, and rotate non-human credentials
• Remote access: Secure vendor and contractor access without VPN

Why PAM Matters

According to industry research, over 80% of security breaches involve compromised privileged credentials. PAM addresses this by:

1. Reducing the attack surface — Eliminating shared passwords and standing privileges
2. Detecting abuse — Monitoring what privileged users actually do during sessions
3. Meeting compliance — Satisfying audit requirements for SOX, PCI DSS, HIPAA, and ISO 27001
4. Containing breaches — Limiting lateral movement even if one credential is compromised

Traditional PAM vs. Modern PAM

| Aspect | Traditional PAM | Modern PAM | |---|---|---| | Deployment | On-premises, agent-heavy | Cloud-native, agentless options | | Scope | Windows/Linux servers | Multi-cloud, Kubernetes, SaaS | | Access model | Vault + checkout | Just-in-time, zero standing privileges | | Architecture | Centralized gateway | Distributed, identity-aware proxy |

Leading PAM Vendors

Major PAM vendors include CyberArk, BeyondTrust, Delinea, One Identity, ManageEngine PAM360, HashiCorp Boundary, StrongDM, and Teleport.