Roadmap to a Successful Modern PAM Deployment

How many endpoints are you really protecting? It's not only admin accounts that matter. Every unprotected privileged account is an open door for cybercriminals and malicious insiders, inviting them to wreak havoc on your systems, steal confidential information, and disrupt your operations.

Today's privileged access solutions empower your workforce like never before. Employees get seamless access to the critical data and tools they need, exactly when they need them, driving productivity and innovation. Meanwhile, IT teams gain enhanced control and visibility across the organization, streamlining workflows and freeing up valuable time to focus on strategic initiatives. With the right PAM solution in place, your organization can confidently embrace digital transformation and accelerate growth.

Ready to realize the benefits of a next-generation PAM solution? This article offers seven key steps you can take to build a PAM program that protects your business and empowers growth while delivering tangible value and peace of mind.

1. Get to Know Your Privileged Landscape

Evaluate your privileged landscape thoroughly to adopt a proactive PAM strategy. This will help you prioritize areas for improvement and find security vulnerabilities.

• Identify all Privileged User IDs: List every Privileged User ID, including those of third-party vendors, service accounts, application accounts, root users, and human administrators.

• Map Privileged Gateway Systems: Define the objective, the central repository they access, and the normal workflow of Privileged Gateway Systems.

• Assess Potential Threats: Evaluate the consequences if an account were compromised and assess the risk connected to each privileged account and access pathway.

2. Prioritize the Implementation of Least Privilege and Zero Trust Principles

Combining Least Privilege with Zero Trust creates a powerful security framework. Limiting access and confirming each request helps to reduce your possible attack surface.

• Deploy Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Give roles authorization rather than individual users. As a result, there is less chance of overprivileged users and access management is centralized.

• Introduce Just-in-Time (JIT) Access: Limit the amount of time that privileged access can be granted, so as to reduce the window of opportunity that an attacker has.

• Regularly Review and Adjust Access Rights: Review and adjust users' access rights on a regular basis to make sure they have the right access for their current jobs and responsibilities.

3. Secure Credential Management

Privileged credentials are the most sought-after targets for cyber attackers. The way you protect credentials is a fundamental part of your overall PAM strategy.

• Create a Password Vault: Put private information in a centralized vault that has access restrictions and robust encryption.

• Implement Strong Password Policies: Require multi-factor authentication, frequent password rotation, and complex passwords for vault and privileged accounts.

• Eliminate Hard-Coded Credentials: Steer clear of including credentials in scripts or software. Secure credential retrieval procedures should be used instead.

4. Monitor and Audit Privileged Activity

Thorough privileged account monitoring and auditing provide a crucial layer of protection, enabling quick identification and neutralization of threats.

• Enforce Session Recording and Monitoring: Track all privileged account sessions and have security professionals examine them for unusual activities.

• Implement Real-Time Alerts: Configure alerts to notify you immediately if your privileged users exhibit strange behavior.

• Audit User Logs Often: Review privileged activity records often to spot patterns, irregularities, and security threats.

5. Foster a Culture of Security

Technology implementation alone is insufficient. If you want to reap the full rewards of your PAM approach, you must promote a security-conscious mentality throughout your entire organization.

• Educate Users: Stress the value of PAM and provide all users—especially those with privileged access—with training on security best practices.

• Enforce Policies: Ensure that everyone with privileged access follows the rules.

• Promote Accountability: Clearly define the repercussions for abusing privileged access.

6. Choose the Right PAM Solution

There is a wide range of PAM solutions available today, each tailored to different needs. Examine your alternatives carefully and decide which best suits the operational and security needs unique to your company.

• Understand Your Environment: Assess your IT infrastructure, applications, and workflows to determine your PAM requirements.

• Prioritize Scalability: Select a system that will expand with your company.

• Consider Ease of Use: Choose an easy-to-use technology to simplify adoption and reduce lost productivity.

• Evaluate Vendor Support: Select a vendor with a reputation for strong customer service.

7. Plan for What's Next

Your PAM architecture must be flexible enough to adapt quickly to new challenges to stay one step ahead of cyber threats.

• Regularly Evaluate your PAM Program: Periodically evaluate your PAM solution to identify areas for improvement and ensure your security tools can keep pace with your evolving cybersecurity needs.

• Stay Informed about Emerging Threats: Stay up-to-date on the latest cyberattacks and vulnerabilities to continuously strengthen your PAM strategy.

• Embrace New Technologies: To improve your PAM capabilities, have an open mind and consider implementing new technologies and methods.

A More Secure Future is Within Reach

Are you ready to take the first step towards a more secure future?

We work with organizations like yours to evaluate, design, and implement strategic and technological improvements to their privileged access management programs.

Our experts offer strategic advisory with a hands-on, seamless execution that delivers measurable outcomes and real value to your business. Contact us for your comprehensive complimentary PAM evaluation workshop today.