Privileged Access Management (PAM) secures, controls, and monitors access to critical systems by users with elevated permissions, reducing risk of breaches and ensuring compliance.
Brain Based Enterprises - Harmonising Man, Woman and MachinePeter Cook
Top Privileged Access Management (PAM) Solutions for Secure Access
1. Top Privileged Access Management (PAM) Solutions for
Secure Access
Privileged accounts in your IT environment demand special attention because they have
elevated access to critical systems and sensitive data. If they are exploited by their owners or
compromised in assaults, the organization may incur serious consequences. Furthermore,
many compliance rules require organizations to maintain tight control over privileged access
management.
Most companies have hundreds or thousands of accounts with privileged access. Attempting to
maintain privileged credentials using spreadsheets or text documents is unsafe and inefficient.
It raises the likelihood of mistakes and undiscovered vulnerabilities while straining already
overburdened IT personnel.
In this blog, we will discuss how to protect your privileged accounts and monitor their use to
detect unlawful conduct. We will present an overview of top privileged access control systems
and highlight key features to consider when selecting a tool.
What is Privileged Access Management?
QKS Group defines Privileged Access Management as a solution which minimizes security risks
and enables organizations to protect, control, manage, automate, and monitor privileged
access and accounts like Local administrative accounts, domain administrative accounts,
break glass accounts, service accounts, active directory accounts, and application accounts to
avoid security breaches. PAM solution enables organizations to minimize risks that are related
to cyberattacks outside of the network perimeter, malicious insider threats, and third-party
access risk.
How Does Privileged Access Management Work?
Privileged Access Management combines people, procedures, and technology. The first step in
implementing a PAM solution is to identify which accounts have privileged access. After that,
the company must choose which policies will apply to these accounts.
For example, they may stipulate that service accounts must refresh their passwords each time a
user accesses the stored credentials. One example is implementing Multi-Factor
Authentication (MFA) for all system administrators. Keeping a detailed log of all privileged
sessions is another policy the organization may decide to implement. Ideally, each process
should be associated with a specific risk. For example, requiring a change in service account
passwords reduces the likelihood of an insider threat. Keeping a log of privileged sessions helps
security administrators spot abnormalities, and implementing MFA is a proven approach to
prevent password-related attacks.
Once the business has completed the discovery step of finding privileged accounts and
finalized its PAM policies, it may deploy a technology platform to monitor and enforce Privileged
Access Management. This privileged access management solution automates the
organization's rules and offers security administrators a platform for managing and monitoring
privileged accounts.
Integration of People, Processes, and Technology in PAM Solutions
2. A robust approach to privileged access management involves multiple elements: processes,
technology, and people:
Processes - Core PAM operations involve defined routines for seeking, approving, and recording
privileged access. Regular access evaluations should ensure privileged accounts follow the
concept of least privilege. PAM must also be linked with change control processes to verify that
secure system modifications are consistent with existing security controls and operational
requirements.
Technology - A contemporary PAM solution should provide automatic, real-time monitoring and
be compatible with other security solutions in the IT ecosystem. It should integrate with the
identity and access management (IAM) platform to provide complete user management and
feed logs into security information and event management (SIEM) systems to improve threat
detection capabilities throughout the company.
People – Privileged Access Management (PAM) systems employ role-based access control
(RBAC) to accurately match privileges with job functions. Additionally, firms must ensure that all
employees, contractors, and other users understand the importance of privileged access and
how to utilize it properly.
Top 5 Privileged Access Management Vendor in the market
ARCON
ARCON is a reputable risk-control solution supplier for businesses worldwide. Our product
development strategy is based on ongoing discussions and research with industry experts and
cybersecurity specialists. This approach enables us to understand the distinct and evolving IT
security threats and the complexity level faced by firms globally. Subsequently, we explore and
develop trends and techniques to assist large, medium, and small enterprises in addressing
significant information security challenges.
BeyondTrust
BeyondTrust specializes in Privileged Access Management (PAM), offering services and
products to enterprises worldwide. They assist enterprises in securing and managing access
credentials in both conventional and hybrid settings, including the cloud. BeyondTrust's
integrated solutions include an innovative PAM solution, designed to minimize the attack
surface. BeyondTrust's Universal Privilege Management methodology from BeyondTrust aims to
secure privileges across access, passwords, and endpoints.
CyberArk
CyberArk specializes in privileged access management with a focus on identity security. It
creates safe solutions for various identities - human and computer to support numerous
commercial applications. The organization guarantees protection in several work scenarios,
including remote workforces, hybrid cloud workloads, and the whole DevOps lifecycle.
CyberArk's primary goal is to prevent cyberattacks that exploit insider privileges and threaten
critical business assets. In addition to this emphasis, the company provides security solutions
that prevent the progression of cyber-attacks. Therefore, safeguarding organizations from
significant damage.
Delinea
3. Delinea, formerly known as ThycoticCentrify, is a PAM solution designed to adapt to an ever-
changing security context. The program has several features, including privileged account and
session management, secure remote access, and comprehensive auditing capabilities.
Delinea's PAM solution is intended to simplify the administration of privileged credentials and
enforce security standards throughout an organization's IT infrastructure. Along with an
emphasis on usability and automation, Delinea assists organizations in protecting key assets
and complying with legal obligations.
WALLIX
WALLIX is an access security specialist who offers a variety of tools for managing privileged
access. The firm provides a session manager, a password manager, and an access manager, in
addition to Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management (PEDM) and Application-to-
Application Password Manager (AAPM) features.
Privileged Access Management Vendor Selection
Here are some tips to aid in the selection of a PAM solution:
PAM focuses on both policy and technology. Establish your policy first, and then search for
technologies to assist you apply it.
Use technologies to handle privileged accounts centrally. This is especially important for
multinational companies or those with various locations in different countries.
Select PAM technologies that complement your current security tools, operating systems, and
cloud environments.
Look for PAM technologies that allow you implement least privilege permissions for most users
while severely restricting privileged access. This includes the removal of administrative
privileges on endpoints.
According to the Privileged Access Management (PAM) Market Share, 2023, Worldwide report,
or rapidly growing organizations, the major challenge with Privileged Access Management (PAM)
software is their ability to manage and cater to the growing skilled talent need of the
organization.
The Market Forecast: Privileged Access Management (PAM), 2024-2028, Worldwide report
projects continued expansion of the market. These insights, combined with the detailed
evaluations provided by the Quadrant Knowledge Solutions report, equip businesses with the
knowledge to make informed decisions, ensuring they select a platform that not only meets
their current needs but also supports their growth and adaptation in a rapidly evolving market
landscape.
Conclusion
Investing in the correct privileged access management system is critical for being safe and
building confidence with customers and stakeholders. PAM solutions help organizations better
protect their SaaS assets, manage user access more effectively, and ensure compliance with
regulations.
These privileged access management solutions assist enterprises in gaining the trust of
customers and stakeholders by prioritizing data security and access management best
4. practices. They protect the security of essential assets, bringing dependability and peace of
mind to everyone concerned.