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What is Privileged Access Management?

Privileged Access Management (PAM) is a specialized area of cybersecurity focused on controlling, monitoring, and auditing the use of privileged accounts. Those accounts that have elevated permissions and can make critical changes to IT systems, networks, and sensitive data.
These accounts include system administrators, database admins, network engineers, cloud admins, and sometimes external contractors who need high-level access to perform maintenance or support tasks.

Unlike standard user accounts, privileged accounts can install software, change configurations, access confidential information, and override security settings making them prime targets for cyberattacks and insider misuse.

The main objective is to secure IT systems by removing unauthorized access to sensitive resources. This protection is based on two main axes:

> Management of the injection and life cycle of passwords used in administered resources and administration applications.
> The traceability of all the actions carried out when connecting users with a power of nuisance on the information system, in the form of audit or video traces.

The users with  power concerned by the PAM may be internal users of the information system, such as system administrators or users handling sensitive data, as well as external users such as infomanagers or remote maintenance personnel. PAM tools can be used to secure on-site or remote privileged access. 

Why is PAM critical to modern cybersecurity?

Privileged accounts are often described as the “keys to the kingdom.” If compromised, they can enable attackers to:

  • Move laterally across networks without detection

  • Exfiltrate sensitive data

  • Disable security tools

  • Cause large-scale disruption or financial loss

Recent breaches show that attackers often start by targeting privileged credentials through phishing, malware, or exploiting misconfigurations.
Privileged Access Management addresses this risk by enforcing strict controls over who can use these accounts, how, and when.

How does Privileged Access Management work in practice?

Modern Privileged Access Management solutions typically combine multiple technical capabilities and policies, including:

1. Credential vaulting and management

  • Storing privileged credentials (like admin passwords, SSH keys, API tokens) in an encrypted vault

  • Automating password rotation so credentials change frequently, reducing the risk of reuse or theft

  • Eliminating hard-coded passwords in scripts and applications

2. Just-In-Time (JIT) access

  • Granting privileged rights only when needed, and for limited durations

  • Returning accounts to a non-privileged state when tasks are complete, following the principle of least privilege

3. Session monitoring and recording

  • Capturing detailed logs and video recordings of privileged sessions

  • Enabling real-time monitoring to detect suspicious actions and stop them before damage occurs

4. Strong authentication and access policies

  • Requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA) for accessing privileged accounts

  • Enforcing approval workflows for sensitive operations

  • Applying context-aware policies (e.g., denying access from unknown devices or unusual locations)

5. Auditing and compliance

  • Generating comprehensive audit logs to prove compliance with standards like GDPR, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, HIPAA

  • Providing detailed reports for internal security teams and external auditors

Key benefits of Privileged Access Management

Implementing PAM helps organizations:

  • Reduce the attack surface by tightly controlling privileged credentials

  • Detect and respond to potential insider threats or compromised accounts

  • Enforce consistent security policies across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments

  • Meet compliance requirements by ensuring accountability and traceability of privileged activities

  • Support secure remote work and third-party access without sacrificing control

Challenges and best practices

PAM isn’t just a tool; it’s an ongoing security discipline. Successful PAM projects require:

  • Clear identification of all privileged accounts, including shared and application accounts

  • Regular reviews and clean-up of unused or orphaned accounts

  • User training and change management to reduce friction and improve adoption

  • Integration with broader Identity and Access Management (IAM), SIEM, and security orchestration tools

Organizations should start with high-risk accounts first, expand coverage gradually, and continuously monitor for gaps.

Privileged Access Management (PAM) is an essential pillar of modern cybersecurity strategy. By securing, controlling, and auditing the use of privileged accounts, PAM helps protect critical infrastructure, sensitive data, and business operations from both external attacks and insider threats.

Effective PAM goes beyond technology: it requires clear policies, user training, and ongoing vigilance to adapt to evolving threats in today’s dynamic IT environments.

Contact us now to discuss your privileged users access

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