Attack Surface
An attack surface in permissions management refers to the sum total of all potential vulnerabilities that an unauthorized entity could exploit to gain access to a system or data. ...
Privileged Account and Session Management (PASM) constitutes a crucial component of privileged access management, catering to users requiring administrative rights for critical accounts and vital business-sensitive endpoints, such as data centers, databases, and applications, through remote sessions. Gartner has officially recognized Privileged Account and Session Management as one of the fundamental pillars within privileged access management, alongside privilege elevation and delegation management, as well as secure remote access.
The correlation between heightened privileges and heightened risks is undeniable. The extent of an employee’s administrative privileges directly correlates with the expanse of potential attack points. Modern trends in cyber threats indicate that breaching an organization’s security perimeter doesn’t always demand intricate tools or methods. A single compromised privileged account or a weak credential is sufficient for attackers to gain unfettered access to sensitive business data.
In the era of hybrid work models, enterprises must fortify themselves with an airtight mechanism to safeguard their privileged accounts. Encompassing Privileged Account and Session Management in their comprehensive cybersecurity strategy empowers IT teams to wield robust control over crucial administrative user sessions and privilege access protocols.
Fundamental to these solutions is the principle of least privilege (POLP), wherein users receive minimal yet adequate access rights for routine tasks. For tasks necessitating elevated administrative privileges, users must secure appropriate authorizations to access classified data. Additionally, PASM solutions integrate inherent controls for privilege escalation, enabling IT teams to tailor access to privileged accounts and assets on a case-by-case basis.
Essentially, rather than bestowing permanent elevated privileges, IT teams can furnish users with time-bound access to privileged resources. Upon the lapse of the stipulated timeframe, access to these resources is rescinded, and the original (and minimal) user privileges are reinstated.
PASM plays a critical role in enhancing an organization’s security posture by minimizing the risk associated with privileged accounts. It helps organizations maintain a balance between operational efficiency and security by implementing strong controls over who can access sensitive resources, how they access them, and what actions they can perform.
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