
In the current landscape, access management is of paramount importance due to the increasing prevalence of large-scale data breaches. In fact, a survey highlights that 61% of breaches involve the theft of credential data. Given the magnitude of this issue, solutions like **IAM and PAM** cannot be overlooked. **Identity Access Management (IAM) and Privileged Access Management (PAM)** stand as two primary types of access management systems extensively employed within organizations.

Should you pick **PAM or IAM**, Which one? What’s the difference between the two? Which one’s crucial for your organization? 

Let us take a look at a closer look and find out

### IAM: What is Identity Access Management? {#what-is-iam}

In the realm of cybersecurity space, Identity Access Management (IAM) stands as a fundamental pillar, that regulates and secures passage of users to digital assets. IAM consists of processes such as -  identification, authentication, and authorization, within an organization's digital ecosystem. This process of verification serves as a protective shield, preventing unauthorized access and data breaches that could compromise sensitive data, and applications, or compromise the system’s integrity in any way.

&nbsp;


**Zero Trust Security and IAM**

IAM, in essence, signifies the meticulous orchestration of user profiles, entailing identification, authentication, and authorization mechanisms, all underpinned by unique digital identities. This dynamic field offers a bouquet of features that seamlessly align with the [zero-trust](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/zero-trust-security-model/#user-content-what-is-zero-trust) paradigm in cybersecurity. In this paradigm, each user must confirm their identity whenever they seek access to servers, applications, services, or any other company data, fostering an environment of elevated security.

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**Versatility in IAM Deployment**

The versatile landscape of IAM caters to both on-premises and cloud deployments, presenting a flexible canvas to organizations. [Single Sign-On (SSO)](https://www.miniorange.com/products/single-sign-on-sso) and [Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa) have emerged as one of the most crucial components of IAM. Using these two technologies, we are able to prevent unauthorized entry, utilizing SSO to streamline the journey across multiple applications once the user's identity is validated. On the other hand, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of protection by verifying passwords with an additional verification mechanism, which could range from security tokens to biometric verification.


### PAM: What is Privileged Access Management? {#what-is-privileged-access-management}

[Privileged Access Management (PAM)](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/) emerges as a subset of [Identity and Access Management (IAM)](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/), its focus is to protect privileged accounts. As organizations navigate the complex landscape of user access, PAM stands out by honing in on a specific subset of users with a unique requirement: access to sensitive and privileged resources. 

Privileged accounts are a handful of user accounts that have access to sensitive resources such as - databases, backend systems, and places where sensitive resources are stored. 
On one hand, IAM authorizes a user who has sought permission to access a system, while PAM restricts access rights to the minimum number of users required to perform authorized functions.

### PAM’s Strategic Safeguarding Measures

PAM takes a proactive stance in safeguarding privileged accounts by employing strategic measures. For instance, it ensures that credentials for Privileged Accounts are stored in a separate, secure repository. This step minimizes the risk of theft or misuse by cyber threats. Additionally, PAM empowers administrators with tools to limit user access using features such as time restrictions, and bolstering control over sensitive areas.

### Defense Against Credential Sharing

Another ingenious move by PAM is its dedication to reducing the risk of credential sharing by making sure every individual uses a unique login.  It mandates that each individual uses their login credentials, thus restricting the practice of shared access. By doing so, PAM serves as a guardian for a company's most confidential user credentials, tokens, secrets, and keys.

### Automatic Defense Against Cyberattacks

A remarkable advantage of PAM is its ability to significantly reduce the need for manual intervention. In times of cyber-attacks, PAM kicks into action, automatically locking down critical systems to prevent any unauthorized access or damage. In essence, PAM is the digital safeguard that ensures valuable assets remain inaccessible to potential threats, and that an organization's sensitive resources stay secure.

### IAM VS PAM {#iam-vs-pam}

Despite being related, IAM vs PAM are still distinct, even though they are often used interchangeably, even though they serve entirely different audience sets. The purpose of IAM solutions is to manage and monitor the security of all the networks in an organization; whereas the purpose of PAM solutions is to manage a specific set of users and machines which require a special level of access to perform sensitive work. We will examine the similarities and differences between these two technologies.

IAM solutions serve a wide range of users across an organization, independent of the company's infrastructure or their devices. In contrast, PAM solutions, in the IAM vs PAM comparison, are primarily deployed for users needing elevated access to privileged information. While IAM focuses on identifying and verifying users, and granting them access to various applications and services, PAM takes charge of monitoring access and user activities.

Specifically, PAM assumes the responsibility of managing access and user actions within exceptionally sensitive systems, usually accessible to individuals holding administrative privileges. This distinction in usage also leads to a significant contrast in the levels of risk managed by each system. Enterprises strive to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing any part of their corporate infrastructure, with the risk associated with accessing a single data source being considerably lower than the threat posed by accessing entire databases or critical business systems. Consequently, the methods employed for identification and authorization of access diverge between these two systems in the IAM vs PAM landscape.


### IAM vs. PAM: Comparison Table

&nbsp;


| Aspect      | IAM (Identity and Access Management)    | PAM (Privileged Access Management)     |
|--------|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|
| Purpose   | Manages and monitors network security across the organization | Manages specific users and systems with elevated access for sensitive tasks |
| User Scope | Wide range of users and devices across the organization | Users requiring privileged access to sensitive information  |
| Core Functionality | Identifying, verifying, and granting access to various applications and services | Monitoring and managing access and user activities within sensitive systems |
| Risk Management | Focuses on preventing unauthorized access to corporate infrastructure | Manages the risk associated with accessing highly sensitive systems, critical databases, or administrative privileges |
| Authorized Methods | Typically involves user identification and authorization for general access | Includes advanced methods for securing access to highly sensitive resources |
| Differentiation in usage | Primarily used for controlling access and user actions within exceptionally sensitive systems | Deployed for broader network security management and access control       |


### Similarities Between IAM and PAM {#similarities-between-iam-and-pam}


**1. Role-Based Access Control**
An inherent likeness exists between IAM and PAM concerning access control via roles. Not everyone holds complete privileges for all resources, and users aren't granted unrestricted access solely based on their immediate needs. There are predefined roles that streamline policy formulation and implementation. Roles consist of predetermined sets of permissions tailored to specific tasks or job functions.

&nbsp;


**2. Robust Authentication**
Both IAM and PAM share a common trait of robust authentication. This entails the use of multifactor authentication methods to facilitate access. This approach ensures that only verified users, equipped with substantial credentials, are granted entry.

&nbsp;


**3. Multi-Factor Authentication**
The integration of multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a recurrent theme in both IAM and PAM, adding an additional layer of security beyond traditional username and password credentials. MFA employs distinct identifying data—such as biometric information or randomly generated codes—in conjunction with unique user possessions like company-issued smartphones. This fusion of factors safeguards access, even if unauthorized individuals uncover user credentials.
Continual surveillance
A shared principle underscores the significance of continuous monitoring in both IAM and PAM landscapes. Strong and continuous monitoring helps in protection against possible breaches. By identifying and flagging breaches in their initial stages, organizations are empowered to respond promptly and effectively, before attackers can inflict any damage.

&nbsp;


**4. Strict Policy Adherence**
Following policies rigorously is crucial for both PAM and IAM to work effectively, especially in scenarios when certain users make important changes to the systems. Well-crafted policies can limit access at specific times, except for urgent situations. IAM and PAM policies execute well in situations when strong protection is needed against potential threats/weaknesses.


### Which one should you use? {#which-one-should-you-use?}

In order to shield yourself from any internal and external threats, organizations should ideally implement both the solutions, IAM and PAM. When both the tools are implemented companies will be able to remove any kind of vulnerabilities within the system, that can serve as a gateway for hackers to exploit the loophole. Hence a robust security solution that regulates passwords, and monitors user activities, with faster auditing of all user accounts is of paramount importance. 


### Deploy PAM and IAM with miniOrange {#deploy-pam-and-iam-with-miniorange}

miniOrange ensures a close integration between IAM and PAM, by ensuring that the redundant process of privileged user accounts and day-to-day user accounts are avoided. This is done by combining the tools and functionalities of both PAM and IAM such as automated provisioning and deprovisioning, keeping track of user activity, auditing, and compliance, along with holistic user identity protection.  

### FAQ {#faq}

**1. What is the difference between IAM and PIM and PAM?**

IAM vs PAM is a common question in the field. IAM (Identity and Access Management) focuses on managing user identities and controlling access to resources. PIM (Privileged Identity Management) is a subset of IAM that specifically manages privileged accounts and their access. PAM (Privileged Access Management) goes a step further by securing, managing, and monitoring privileged access to critical systems. In essence, IAM handles general user access, PIM manages privileged identities, and PAM ensures secure privileged access. When comparing PAM vs IAM, it's important to understand that PAM identity management adds an extra layer of security to privileged accounts.

&nbsp;

**2. What is the difference between IAM and PAM and DAM?**

In discussing IAM vs PAM vs DAM, IAM (Identity and Access Management) is a comprehensive framework for managing digital identities and access rights. PAM (Privileged Access Management) focuses on securing and managing privileged accounts with elevated access rights. DAM (Data Access Management) deals with controlling and monitoring access to sensitive data. While IAM and PAM focus on user and privileged access management respectively, DAM is specifically concerned with data security and access governance. Understanding the differences between privileged access management vs identity access management is crucial for implementing effective security measures.

&nbsp;

**3. What is IAM and PAM in cybersecurity?**

IAM and PAM play crucial roles in cybersecurity. IAM (Identity and Access Management) involves the processes and technologies used to manage digital identities and control access to resources. It ensures that the right individuals have access to the right resources at the right times. PAM (Privileged Access Management) enhances cybersecurity by securing, managing, and monitoring privileged accounts and their access to critical systems, thereby reducing the risk of security breaches from privileged accounts. The integration of IAM and PAM is vital for comprehensive security.

&nbsp;

**4. What is the difference between an IAM engineer and a PAM engineer?**

The difference between an IAM engineer and a PAM engineer can be seen in their roles and responsibilities. An IAM engineer specializes in implementing and managing Identity and Access Management solutions, focusing on user identity lifecycle, authentication, and access control across the organization. A PAM engineer, on the other hand, is responsible for securing and managing privileged accounts, ensuring that privileged access to critical systems is controlled, monitored, and audited. While both roles are essential in cybersecurity, the IAM engineer handles general user access, and the PAM engineer focuses on privileged access security. Comparing IAM vs PAM roles helps in understanding the distinct focus areas of each.


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Book your demo with us today, for Privilege Access Management  - [Link](https://www.miniorange.com/products/privileged-access-management-pam)


IAM is used to identify and manage user identities digitally across the whole company, while PAM only focuses on privileged access to sensitive systems.

IAM vs. PAM: What’s the difference?


### What is a PAM Solution? {#What is a PAM Solution?}

A **PAM solution** stands at the forefront of cybersecurity, offering a robust strategy for protecting organizations from **credential theft** and misuse of privileged access. **Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions** focus on managing and overseeing elevated privileges associated with user roles, resources, accounts, and systems within an IT environment. By implementing a **PAM security solution**, organizations effectively **shrink their attack surface**, thereby reducing the likelihood of external cyber attacks and mitigating damage from insider threats, whether intentional or accidental. Recognized by analysts and tech experts, PAM solutions are key to diminishing cyber risk and maximizing the return on security investments.

A **PAM security solution** employs a variety of cybersecurity strategies and technologies to exert control over privileged access. One such strategy is the concept of least privileges in a PAM solution. It ensures that users are granted the minimum levels of access necessary to carry out their job functions. With this organizations can significantly reduce their attack surface, limiting potential avenues for malicious insiders or external cyber threats. This reduction in exposure helps to mitigate the risk of costly data breaches and other security incidents that could have severe consequences for the organization.

Understanding what a **PAM solution** is and how it operates is crucial for modern cybersecurity practices. By incorporating a **privileged access management (PAM) solution** into their security framework, organizations can ensure that they are utilizing one of the **best PAM solutions** available to protect their critical assets and maintain robust security postures.


### The Importance of PAM Solutions {#the-importance-of-pam-solutions}

The absence of an effective **PAM solution** can lead to **substantial financial and operational losses** for businesses. In an era of increasing cyber threats and expanding endpoints, vulnerabilities are more pronounced. Issues like repeated use of passwords, inadequate access management, and lack of monitoring and auditing leave systems open to unauthorized access. Furthermore, insufficient visibility into privileged users, accounts, and shared credentials exacerbate these security challenges.

**PAM solutions** address these issues by ensuring complete control and accountability over all privileged accounts. They automate privilege management and secure endpoint access, identifying machines, accounts, and applications with administrative rights across workstations and cloud servers. Features like Privileged Account Password Management and automated password rotation comply with stringent password policies, updating credentials automatically.

A **privileged access management PAM solution** provides granular access control, allowing organizations to tailor their security infrastructure by granting, modifying, and revoking access as needed. This level of control is vital for maintaining security and minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or misuse of privileged accounts. By enforcing the least privilege principle, PAM solutions guarantee that users have only the permissions necessary for their tasks, significantly reducing the potential attack surface.

Implementing the **best PAM solution** helps organizations maintain robust security postures by automating key security processes and enhancing visibility and control over privileged access. This comprehensive **PAM security solution** approach is essential for modern cybersecurity practices.


### What Features Should You Look For In A PAM Solution? {#What Features Should You Look For In A PAM Solution?}


**1. Password Vault and rotation** :  The [Password Vault](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/password-vault) simplifies password management by providing easy handling of passwords, including updates, password rotations, disposal, and tracking. It seamlessly integrates with existing systems, making password management a seamless process. One of its key features is the secure storage of privileged passwords within an encrypted vault, ensuring that sensitive credentials are protected from unauthorized access or theft. By using the Password Vault, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of credential theft, enhance endpoint security, and enhance the overall cybersecurity posture of their organization.

**2. Audit trails**: 
Session and [audit trails](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-session-audit-trail) closely monitor user and session activities, Admins have access to an audit log that tracks all actions performed by privileged users during their sessions, providing detailed event information and timestamps for each event.

These audit trails enable administrators to promptly detect suspicious behavior, system issues, operational problems, and related errors. Audit trails play an essential role in keeping track of privileged user activities and mitigating the risks associated with unmonitored access and misuse within systems.

**3. Session Monitoring and Recording**:   Through [Session monitoring and recording](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-session-monitoring), the PAM solution offers advanced oversight and accountability for users accessing privileged accounts. This functionality offers granular control over critical assets like databases, servers, and network devices, ensuring that privileged access is closely monitored and recorded. Real-time monitoring of sessions and user activities allows for thorough organizational audits, enabling administrators to track and review actions taken during privileged sessions. Additionally, there is also an option to terminate a session while session monitoring. 

**4. Just-in-Time (JIT) Privileged Access**: The [Just-in-Time Access](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/just-in-time-privileged-access) grants users access to accounts and resources for a specific, limited timeframe. This approach aims to minimize risk by providing access only when necessary, preventing users from having more privileges than required. Rather than granting permanent, unlimited access, temporary access is provided on demand. Access is restricted based on predefined roles, adhering to the Principle of Least Privilege (POLP). This ensures that users have access only to what is essential for their designated tasks and responsibilities.

**5. Endpoint privilege management**: With [EPM](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/endpoint-privilege-manager), users are granted only the necessary privileges and access to applications, ensuring robust security. Unauthorized applications are easily restricted or blocked, creating a fortified environment. Privileges are granted on a needs basis, allowing trusted applications to run with the lowest possible privilege levels. EPM protects desktops, laptops, and servers from attacks, reducing the risk of data theft or ransomware encryption.

**6. Privilege Elevation and Delegation**: enables users to temporarily elevate their privileges on a granular level when needed to complete a task, without granting them permanent administrative privileges. It reduces the risk of accidental exposure, limiting access to privileged accounts and resources only when needed. The principle of least privilege is applied through digital password vaults, granting temporary admin accounts on a need basis, ensuring secure access to critical resources.

**7. Granular Access Control**: Refers to implementing precise and detailed access controls that are based on the principle of least privileges. This approach restricts access to privileged accounts by assigning permissions at a highly specific level, [Granular Access Control](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/granular-access-control) gives users only the minimum access required to perform their authorized tasks. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) are two common methods used for implementing granular access controls. By adopting granular access control, organizations can enhance security, minimize the risk of unauthorized access, and maintain a more controlled and efficient privileged access management system.

**8. Privileged Account Discovery**: This identifies and catalogs all privileged accounts within an organization's IT infrastructure, it consists of accounts with elevated privileges or administrative access on various systems such as servers, databases, network devices, and applications. There is a comprehensive inventory of all privileged accounts, making it easier for organizations to manage and secure these critical accounts effectively. By knowing where these privileged accounts exist, organizations can implement stronger security measures, and conduct regular audits.

**9. Integration with Identity and Access Management (IAM)**:
Merging Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions with existing [IAM](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/) systems creates a unified approach to access control, user provisioning, and user lifecycle management. This integration enables seamless and efficient management of both standard user accounts and privileged accounts from a single centralized platform. It allows administrators to apply consistent security policies, access rules, and authentication mechanisms to all users, regardless of their privileges, thereby simplifying the overall management and ensuring a more robust security posture for the organization.


### miniOrange PAM Solution: Unveiling the Realm of Privilege with an Array of Account Types! {#miniOrange-pam-solution-unveiling-the-realm-of-privilege-with-an-array-of-account-types}

We have categorized the Privileged accounts into several types, each serving distinct roles within an organization's IT infrastructure:

- **Local administrative accounts**: These accounts provide elevated privileges on individual endpoints or devices within a network. They are used to manage the local system settings, and their misuse can lead to unauthorized access and potential security breaches.
- **Domain administrator accounts**: Have the highest level of access rights within an IT environment. These accounts have control over all the other user accounts, workstations, and all network resources across the entire domain. Securing these accounts is vital as compromising them can cause severe network damage. 
- **Service accounts** : These are created to enable specific services or applications to interact securely with the operating system or resources on the network. Such accounts are often used for automation, and it's essential to properly manage and secure them to prevent potential abuse by attackers.
- **Application accounts** : Application accounts are used by software applications to get full access to specific applications and data stored in those apps, databases, and related resources. E.g. Service accounts require precise management to ensure minimal permissions for any task.
- **Privileged accounts** : These accounts are the elevated access to privileges over standard users, they have significant access rights across various systems and applications, making them highly attractive targets for cybercriminals.
- **Emergency accounts**: They are intended for crisis situations or troubleshooting scenarios where regular privileged accounts might be unavailable. In times of disaster or disruption, emergency accounts grant non-privileged users temporary admin access to critical systems for securing operations.

Properly handling and overseeing various privileged accounts is essential for a strong privileged access management (PAM) strategy. It is crucial to protect these accounts effectively to reduce the risk of unauthorized access and potential security issues in an organization's IT infrastructure.

### What Are The Benefits Of Privileged Access Management? {#What Are The Benefits Of Privileged Access Management?}

Privileged Access Management (PAM) plays a crucial role in enhancing the security of an organization's IT infrastructure, let us look at some of the benefits of Privileged Access Management. 

- **Enhanced security** : PAM solution helps to fortify an organization's IT infrastructure by minimizing the risks posed by human errors and misuse of privileged accounts.
- **Reduced attack surface** : Limiting privileges for users, processes, and applications decreases potential pathways for both internal and external threats.
- **Mitigated malware risk** : Removing excessive privileges and enforcing the least privilege curtails the ability of malware to infiltrate and spread within the system.
- **Improved operational performance** : By restricting privileges to authorized activities, PAM solutions reduce compatibility issues between applications and lower the risk of downtime.
- **Simplified compliance** : PAM solution creates an audit-friendly environment, streamlining compliance efforts and facilitating assessments and reporting.
- **Cyber insurance support** : Cyber insurance often requires PAM solutions for reducing cyber risk. These controls are essential to get or renew cyber liability coverage and protect against financial losses from any cyber incidents. 

### How Does Privileged Access Management (PAM) Software Work? {#How Does Privileged Access Management (PAM) Software Work?}

Implementing Privileged Access Management (PAM):
To enhance security with PAM, follow these key steps:

- **Gain Visibility**: Select a PAM solution that provides comprehensive visibility into all privileged accounts used by human users and workloads. This allows you to identify and eliminate default admin accounts and enforce the least privilege principle, granting users only the access they need.
- **Govern and control access** : Maintain continuous oversight of privileged access and manage privilege elevation to prevent unauthorized access, thereby protecting your organization's cybersecurity.
- **Monitor and audit activities** : Establish policies that define acceptable behavior for privileged users and identify policy violations. Regular monitoring and auditing ensure compliance and enable swift action against suspicious activities.
- **Automate PAM solutions** : Implement automation for discovering, managing, and monitoring privileged accounts, users, and resources. Automation facilitates scaling across numerous accounts, reduces administrative burden, and simplifies complexity.
- **Gradual implementation and expansion** : Begin with the PAM solution tailored to your IT department's immediate needs and gradually integrate additional modules for enhanced functionality. Follow security control recommendations to ensure compliance with regulations effectively.

### Unlocking the Key to Security: miniOrange's PAM Best Practices {#unlocking-the-key-to-security-miniOranges-pam-best-practices}

![Benefits of adopting pam practices](/blog/assets/2024/benefits-of-adopting-pam-practices.webp)

Implementing a Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution requires adherence to best practices that bolster security and mitigate risks within an organization's IT infrastructure. Let us have a look at these essential guidelines that we implement in our PAM solutions:

- **Implementing MFA** : Strengthens the sign-in process by incorporating [Multifactor Authentication(MFA)](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa). This additional layer of security demands users to verify their identity through a trusted device when accessing accounts or applications.
- **Automation of Security** : Automating security processes minimizes human errors and enhances efficiency.  Automation is utilized to swiftly restrict privileges and prevent unauthorized actions in situations of potential threats.
- **Restrict End-Point Users** : Identifies and eliminates unnecessary end-point users from the local admin group on IT Windows workstations. By doing so, the risk of threat actors is reduced using admin accounts to move through the network, steal credentials, and elevate their privileges.
- **Monitor Privileged User Sessions**: Audit and monitor privileged access activities track user actions and privileged password usage. Setting baseline standards for acceptable behavior helps detect any suspicious deviations that could threaten system security.
- **Granting Limit Privileged Access**: Consider granting temporary just-in-time access and just-enough access instead of providing perpetual privileged access. This ensures that users have a valid reason for elevated access and only for the required timeframe.
- **Employ Activity-Based Access Control**: Provide privileges based on a user's actual resource usage and historical activity. Closing the gap between granted and used privileges enhances security and minimizes unnecessary access.

By following these best practices, organizations can implement an effective PAM solution, fortify their security measures, and significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and potential security incidents within their IT infrastructure.

![Benefits of adopting pam practices](/blog/assets/2024/best-practices-for-implementing-a-pam-solution.webp)

### FAQs {#faqs}

**1. Why Do You Need A PAM Solution?**

PAM is important for organizations as it helps to protect against security risks posed by credential theft and privilege misuse, it also helps in reducing the risk of data breaches and cyber-attacks.

**2. What is the importance of privileged access management?**
The importance of privileged access management lies in its ability to control, monitor, and secure privileged identities and activities, limiting potential security breaches and unauthorized access to critical systems, data, and resources.


Privileged Access Management focuses on regulating, supervising, safeguarding, and verifying identities within an IT framework.

PAM Solutions

In today’s digitally interconnected world, the way we work is changing. Access to privileged resources is an underlying concern in today’s corporate landscape, and it is paramount for modern organizations to understand the nuances of managing and safeguarding privileged access. But, in this quest to protect privileged resources, organizations may find it challenging to figure out the right solution to implement. 

**[Privileged Access Management (PAM)](https://miniorange.com/pam) and Privileged Identity Management (PIM)** often intertwine within this sphere, leading to confusion. This blog aims to clarify these terms, highlighting their differences, workings, and how they fit within the broader scope of **[Identity and Access Management (IAM)](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/)**.


**Key takeaways from this blog:**

1. Fundamental definitions of PAM and PIM.
2. Uncovering differences between PIM and PAM.
3. An overview of how PIM and PAM operate.
4. Distinction between IAM, PAM, and PIM.
5. PAM or PIM: Guide to choosing the right one.

## What is PIM and PAM? {#what-is-pim-and-pam}

PIM and PAM are interrelated terms used in the Privileged Management space, but both have fundamentally different roles to play in securing the Privileged resources of any organization. To clear up the confusion, it is important to learn the definitions of Privileged Access Management (PAM) and Privileged Identity Management (PIM).
 
### What is Privileged Access Management (PAM)?

PAM or [Privileged Access Management](https://www.miniorange.com/products/privileged-access-management-pam) refers to implementing cybersecurity mechanisms or strategies that enable organizations to take control over the [elevated privileged access](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privilege-elevation-and-delegation-management-pedm) and permissions for users, accounts, processes, and systems across the corporate IT environment. PAM is a powerful tool for managing and monitoring privileged access, and it empowers organizations to defend against data breaches to prevent misuse of sensitive information.

### What is Privileged Identity Management (PIM)?

PIM or Privileged Identity Management is a strategy or mechanism that is built for managing and securing Privileged User Identities (the identities that have privileged access to critical company resources). It involves the identification, organization, and administration of the roles and access privileges of individual users within or across an organization. The fundamental function of PIM is to ensure adequate authentication, authorization, and audit of privileged identities.


## What Is The Difference Between PIM and PAM? {#what-is-the-difference-between-pim-and-pam}

While PIM and PAM are both critical components of a comprehensive privileged management strategy, their primary applications differ significantly. PAM is access-centric, emphasizing the security of privileged access to systems and data. It prevents data breaches with access control capabilities and enables admins to monitor & record sessions. When PAM is in place, any imposter cannot gain unauthorized access to privileged resources. On the other hand, PIM is identity-centric, focusing on the management of users who have privileged access. It ensures that users have privileged access only when it is required for their work. When PIM is in place, the risk of insider threats is minimized and users can only get access to privileged resources based on their roles within the particular organizational setup.

### PIM vs. PAM: Side By Side Comparison Table

| Feature        | PIM                   | PAM                   |
|----------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|
| Focus          | Identity Management   | Access Management     |
| Goal           | Ensure the right individuals have privileged access | Protect privileged access from unauthorized use |
| Strategy       | Manage identities to prevent misuse | Control and monitor access to prevent breaches |
| Tools          | Identity directories, role management systems | Session monitoring, access control systems |


## How do PIM and PAM work? {#how-do-pim-and-pam-work}

**How do PAM solutions work?**

PAM systems work by creating a secure, streamlined way to authorize and monitor all privileged user access to all relevant privileged systems. A PAM solution includes features like: 

1. **[Multi-Factor Authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa) on privileged access** - adding an extra layer of security that hackers or malicious actors cannot bypass,
2. **[Session Monitoring & Recording](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-session-monitoring)** - For detecting any suspicious activities and taking swift action to curb any attempts of unauthorized access, and 
3. **[Secure Vaults](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/password-vault) for password storage** - For enhancing security by safeguarding privileged credentials from falling into the hands of cyberattackers.

Apart from the above features, there are many more features that are employed to ensure a robust Privileged Management strategy to protect privileged resources and sensitive information.



**How do PIM solutions work?**

PIM systems ensure that only authorized individuals or validated user identities can assume privileged identities within the enterprise network. PIM involves features like:

1. **[Role-Based Access Control](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/granular-access-control)** - to ensure that only adequate privileges are granted as per the requirement of the role that a particular user is assigned to.  
2. **[Identity Lifecycle Management](https://www.miniorange.com/products/user-lifecycle-management)**- to elevate and delegate privileges based on the change in roles of the current user and to remove privileged access when the user no longer serves the organization, and 
3. **[Comprehensive Auditing](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-session-audit-trail)** - which acts as an instrumental tool to manage privileged identities effectively. To monitor suspicious behaviors and activities or detect any anomalies to render timely responses.

Apart from the above features, there are many more features that are employed to ensure robust Identity management of [Privileged user accounts](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-are-privileged-accounts) and to protect these accounts from falling into the wrong hands.

![How PIM works](/blog/assets/2024/how-pim-solution-works.webp)

## What is IAM? And How is it different from PAM and PIM? {#what-is-iam-and-how-is-it-different}

In the world of cybersecurity, Identity and Access Management (IAM) is the umbrella that covers both PAM and PIM. Privileged Management strategies as a whole are a critical part of IAM strategies. 

**Understanding the IAM solution**

IAM is a framework of policies and security mechanisms, which are implemented in any modern organizational environment to ensure that the right users have the appropriate access to different company resources. The IAM solution empowers organizations to manage user identities, their authentication, authorization, roles, and privileges within or across different systems and enterprise environments.

*“IAM serves as the foundation for both PIM and PAM.”*

**IAM Vs. PAM Vs. PIM**

PAM is a subset of IAM focused specifically on privileged access. PIM is also a subset of IAM, focusing on managing privileged identities.

**Which One Should You Go With?**

Deciding between PAM and PIM depends on your organization's specific needs:

- If your primary concern is controlling and securing access to your systems and data, PAM might be the right focus.
- If you're more concerned with managing who has privileged access and ensuring they are the right individuals, PIM will serve your needs better.
- In reality, most organizations will benefit from implementing both PAM and PIM strategies to ensure a comprehensive security posture. 
- Balancing both access and identity management ensures not only that the right people have access, but also that this access is securely managed and monitored.

PIM and PAM share the goal of securing privileged access within an organization. A robust cybersecurity strategy will often include both PIM and PAM to ensure not only that access is protected, but also that the identities holding that access are properly managed. 


## miniOrange Privileged Management Solution {#miniorange-privileged-management-solution}

The miniOrange, a vital player in the Identity & Access Management space, offers a holistic  Privileged Management Solution that includes both **PAM & PIM functionalities** to empower organizations aiming to bolster their defense against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. The solution ensures [Granular Access Control](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/granular-access-control), strictly adhering to the Principle of Least Privileges. By integrating standout features such as [Privileged Remote Access](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/granular-access-control), Automated [Password Rotation](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/password-rotation), and Real-time oversight via [Privileged User Session Monitoring & Recording](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-session-monitoring), the solution strengthens account protection. With stringent password policies in place, combined with periodic rotations, the system ensures secure authentication for all high-level accounts.

**Key Features and Offerings of miniOrange PAM:**

1. Comprehensive [Password Vault](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/password-vault) for Machine and User Credentials Management.
2. [Just-in-Time (JIT) Privileged Access](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/just-in-time-privileged-access).
3. Detailed [Privileged Session Audit Trail](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-access-for-web-apps)
4. Robust Privileged Access Control.
5. Streamlined [Privileged Access for Web Applications](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-access-for-web-apps).
6. Central Console with Multi-Tenant Support.

You can see the miniOrange PAM in action and test all the features for free in your enterprise environment by claiming your [30-day free trial with POC.](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/free-trial)

Learn the difference between PIM and PAM. Choose the right privileged management solution for your organization.

PIM vs. PAM: What’s the difference?


The **principle of least privilege** enforces strict access controls, allowing users and applications only the essential permissions needed, enhancing security without hindering productivity. **Least privilege access control** minimizes risks by restricting privileged accounts while maintaining seamless operations without IT help desk intervention.

## What is the principle of least privilege (POLP)? {#what-is-the-principle-of-least-privilege}

![what is the principle of least privilege](/blog/assets/2024/what-is-principle-of-least-privilege-polp.webp)

The **Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP)** is a fundamental concept in **least privilege security**, where users, processes, or systems are granted only the minimum access rights necessary to perform their tasks. This targeted access not only reduces attack surfaces and minimizes the risk of a **least privilege security breach**, but it also streamlines access management, leading to cost efficiency by lowering the chances of costly security-related breaches or accidents.

For example, in a corporate setting, an employee in the finance department should only have access to financial data and tools, not to the entire company’s database. This **least privilege access control model** ensures that even if the user's account is compromised, the potential damage is contained, protecting the broader system. Additionally, by granting only necessary permissions, operational efficiency is increased, as users have clear, role-based access to the tools they need, reducing confusion and minimizing errors.

## What is privilege creep? {#what-is-privilege-creep}

Privilege creep occurs when users gradually acquire more access rights than necessary for their current tasks, often violating the **principle of least privilege**. This typically happens when organizations revoke all administrative rights initially but later re-grant privileges to allow users to run essential legacy, homegrown, or commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) applications. Once these elevated privileges are re-granted, they are rarely revoked, leading to an accumulation of excessive access rights.

This excessive access contradicts the **least privilege access principle** and reopens security vulnerabilities, making organizations more susceptible to threats. To address privilege creep, implementing **least privilege access controls** is crucial. By adhering to the least privilege access model, organizations can ensure that users maintain only the minimum access necessary, reducing security risks and enhancing overall protection.

## What is the principle of least privilege in cybersecurity {#what-is-the-principle-of-least-privilege-in-cybersecurity}

![Principle of least privilege in cybersecurity](/blog/assets/2024/principle-of-least-privilege-in-cybersecurity.webp)

The principle of least privilege (PoLP) is a fundamental cybersecurity concept that ensures users, applications, or systems are granted only the minimum level of access necessary to perform their functions. By adhering to this least privilege access principle, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of accidental or intentional misuse of privileges.

Implementing least privilege access control helps to limit access rights, thereby minimizing the potential attack surface and enhancing overall security. A [Privileged Access Management (PAM)](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/) solution automates and streamlines the enforcement of PoLP, making it easier to manage privileges across diverse systems and ensuring that users maintain only the access they truly need. This approach not only fortifies security but also simplifies the administration of access rights, promoting a more secure and efficient IT environment.

## How does the principle of least privilege (PoLP) work? {#how-does-the-principle-of-least-privilege-work}

![How the principle of least privilege works](/blog/assets/2024/how-the-principle-of-least-privilege-works.webp)

The **Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP)** functions by granting users, applications, and systems only the minimum level of access necessary to perform their required tasks. This approach minimizes the risk of unauthorized access to critical systems or sensitive data, as it limits the potential attack surface. By containing compromises to their area of origin, PoLP prevents security breaches from spreading throughout the entire system, thereby elevating the overall security posture.

In comparison to PoLP, **Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)** operates on the premise of "never trust, always verify." ZTNA ensures that every access request, whether from a user, device, or application, is continuously verified and authenticated before being granted access to the network or specific resources. This model categorizes users and systems based on trust risks, applying different security controls depending on their classification. For example, employees, contractors, and suppliers might each have different access policies based on their associated risk levels.

## PoLP vs. Zero Trust Security: What's the Difference? {#PoLP-vs-Zero-Trust-Security:-What-is-the-Difference?}
While both PoLP and Zero Trust aim to enhance security by limiting access, their approaches differ. PoLP focuses on minimizing access to essential permissions, reducing the risk of unauthorized actions within an organization. **Zero Trust**, on the other hand, goes a step further by continuously validating every access request, regardless of the user's previous trust level. 

These models are not mutually exclusive; in fact, integrating **least privilege access control** within a **Zero Trust** architecture can provide a comprehensive security framework. By combining PoLP's emphasis on minimal access with Zero Trust's ongoing verification process, organizations can significantly enhance their defenses against potential threats.

The **PoLP** limits the number of "keys" (access permissions) distributed within an organization. **Zero Trust** ensures that every time a key is used, it is thoroughly checked and verified.

## Why Is the Principle of Least Privilege Important? {#why-is-the-principle-of-least-privilege-important}
The **Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP)** is a fundamental cybersecurity concept that restricts users, applications, and systems to the minimum level of access necessary to perform their tasks. This approach offers several benefits that enhance organizational security, stability, and compliance.

### Benefits of the Principle of Least Privilege {#benefits-of-the-principle-of-least-privilege}
**1. Better Security:** A notable example is the case of Edward Snowden, who leaked millions of NSA files due to his admin privileges, which far exceeded his actual job requirements. After the incident, the NSA implemented the **principle of least privilege**, revoking elevated access rights from 90% of its employees, significantly reducing the risk of insider threats.

**2. Minimized Attack Surface:** The 2013 Target data breach, where hackers accessed 70 million customer accounts, serves as another case study. The breach occurred through an HVAC contractor who had excessive permissions. By not adhering to PoLP, Target inadvertently created a broad attack surface, which the attackers exploited. Had PoLP been implemented, the access given to the contractor would have been limited, potentially preventing the breach.

**3. Limited Malware Propagation:** Implementing PoLP helps contain malware within the specific area where it first infects a system. By restricting user and system privileges, malware finds it more challenging to propagate throughout the network, thereby minimizing the overall impact of an attack.

**4. Better Stability:** Beyond security, PoLP contributes to system stability by ensuring that any changes or updates are confined to specific zones, limiting the potential for widespread disruption.

**5. Improved Audit Readiness:** Systems built on the **principle of least privilege** are easier to audit, as the scope of the audit is naturally reduced. Moreover, many regulations and compliance standards require PoLP implementation, making it a critical factor in maintaining compliance.

**Lessons Learned**

Organizations like the NSA and Target have shown that failure to implement PoLP can lead to catastrophic security breaches. However, these same organizations have also demonstrated the effectiveness of PoLP when properly applied. The NSA’s drastic reduction in elevated privileges post-Snowden is a testament to the importance of aligning access levels with actual job requirements. Target’s experience underscores the necessity of regularly reviewing and limiting third-party access to essential systems.

## How to Implement PoLP in your organization {#how-to-implement-polp-in-your-organization}

![Steps of implementing the Principle of least privilege organization](/blog/assets/2024/steps-of-Implementing-principle-of-least-privilege-organization.webp)

Implementing the **principle of least privilege** (PoLP) in your organization involves a strategic approach to minimize access rights and enhance security. Here's how to effectively **implement least privilege**:

**1. Discover All Admin and Local Admin Privileges:** Begin by automatically discovering all admin and local admin privileges within your environment. Understanding which employees, devices, and services have privileged accounts is crucial to ensuring compliance with the **principle of least privilege in information security**. This step also helps identify gaps where the **least privilege management** needs to be tightened to prevent a **privilege security breach**.

**2. Inventory All Devices and Software:** Conduct a thorough inventory of all devices and software across your organization. This helps you understand how software is deployed, identify potential risks, and ensure compliance with the **least privilege security principle**. By knowing where software originates, you can better manage trusted vendors and restrict unauthorized installations, aligning with the **least privilege access principle**.

**3. Monitor Privileges and Understand Their Usage:** Before enforcing the **concept of least privilege**, monitor current privileges to see how they are used. Identify which employees actively require elevated access and who may be over-privileged. This understanding allows you to **enforce the least privilege** by replacing unnecessary administrative rights with policies that align with the **least privilege access control** model, ensuring that users maintain only the **least permissions** needed to perform their jobs.

**4. Replace Privileges with Automation Policies:** After auditing your environment, begin reducing privileges for users who no longer require them. For users who still need elevated access, implement automation policies that allow tasks to be elevated on-demand. This approach supports the **least privilege concept** by ensuring that users have the minimum necessary access without becoming over-privileged. By integrating **least-privilege access** with **Privileged Access Management (PAM)** and Application Control, you can effectively manage and secure access across devices, services, and applications, reducing the risk of a **least-privilege security** breach.

## Best Practices and Recommendations {#best-practices-and-recommendations}
Implementing the **principle of least privilege (PoLP)** effectively requires a strategic approach to managing and minimizing access rights within an organization. Here are some best practices to ensure robust **least privilege access** across your systems:

**1. Conduct a Privilege Audit:** Start by auditing all existing accounts, processes, and programs to ensure they only have the permissions necessary for their specific roles. This audit should encompass user accounts, SSH keys, system groups, and hardcoded passwords.

**2. Set Default Access to Minimum:** For all new accounts, start with the minimum necessary privileges. Only grant higher-level access as needed for specific tasks, rather than providing default administrative rights.

**3. Enforce Separation of Privileges:** Differentiate between standard and administrative accounts. Ensure that high-level system functions are kept separate from lower-level operations. This segregation helps reduce the risk of security breaches by limiting access.

**4. Use Just-in-Time (JIT) Privileges:** Implement **just-in-time privileges** to grant elevated access only when needed and for a limited time. This approach minimizes the risk of privilege misuse by eliminating always-on or standing privileges.

**5. Make Individual Actions Traceable:** Implement monitoring, auditing, and user ID systems to ensure all actions can be traced back to individual users. This increases accountability and allows for better oversight of privileged activities.

**6. Regularly Audit Privileges:** Regularly review and update privileges to prevent the accumulation of unnecessary access rights. This ensures that users, accounts, and processes maintain only the permissions they need.

**7. Remove Admin Rights on Endpoints:** By default, assign standard user privileges to all employees. Elevate access only when necessary for specific tasks or applications, and consider removing admin rights entirely from sensitive servers to reduce the attack surface.

**8. Segment Systems and Networks:** Divide your systems and networks into segments based on different levels of trust, needs, and privilege sets. This segmentation limits the potential spread of a breach and enhances security.

**9. Implement One-Time-Use Credentials:** Use password safes to generate one-time passwords for privileged accounts, which are checked out for specific tasks and retired immediately afterward. This reduces the risk of compromised credentials being reused.

**10. Replace Hardcoded Credentials:** Replace static, hardcoded credentials with APIs that retrieve dynamic secrets from secure password safes, especially in DevOps and CI/CD environments.

**11. Extend Least Privilege** Beyond the Perimeter: Apply least privilege access controls not just internally, but also to vendors, contractors, and remote access sessions, ensuring that external users also adhere to strict access limitations.

**12. Analyze and Report on Privileged Access:** Continuously monitor and report on all privileged accounts, including shared admin accounts, service accounts, and cloud accounts. Auditing should capture detailed activities, such as keystrokes and screen actions, to maintain thorough oversight.

## Conclusion {#conclusion}
Implementing the **principle of least privilege (PoLP)** is essential for enhancing your organization's security posture. By restricting access to only what is necessary for each user, application, or system, you can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access, privilege misuse, and security breaches. miniOrange's Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions automate and streamline the enforcement of PoLP, making it easier to manage and secure privileges across diverse systems. This not only fortifies your defenses but also ensures compliance with industry standards and improves overall operational efficiency. Adopting PoLP with [miniOrange PAM](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-privileged-access-management-pam/) will help your organization achieve a robust, secure, and well-managed IT environment.

[![Securing Privileged Accounts with PAM](/blog/assets/2024/get-started-with-miniorange-pam.webp)](https://www.miniorange.com/products/privileged-access-management-pam )

Discover how the principle of least privilege enhances security by limiting access to essentials, and learn why least privilege access control is crucial for protection.

What Is the Principle of Least Privilege?


In today’s digital age, the banking sector faces an ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. To combat these threats and ensure the security of financial transactions, the SWIFT Customer Security Programme (CSP) framework has been established. This blog post delves into the intricacies of the SWIFT CSP framework, its significance in banking, and how miniOrange’s Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions can help banks comply with these stringent security requirements.

## Introduction to the SWIFT Customer Security Programme (CSP) {#introduction-to-the-swift-customer-security-programme}

The banking industry is a prime target for cybercriminals due to the sensitive nature of financial data and transactions. To safeguard the global banking system, the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) introduced the Customer Security Programme (CSP). This framework is designed to enhance the security of financial institutions by implementing a set of mandatory and advisory controls.

## Why is it important? {#why-is-it-important}

In 2015, a bank in Vietnam was hit by a cyberattack on the SWIFT system, where attackers tried to steal a significant sum of money. By 2016, similar attacks increased worldwide, with the most serious breach targeting the Central Bank of Bangladesh, resulting in large fraudulent transactions.

To address these growing threats, SWIFT introduced new security measures in 2017. This included a set of mandatory and optional controls for all its customers. Every client is required to confirm they meet these security standards each year, and the results are shared with partners and regulators to ensure proper cybersecurity practices are in place.

## Understanding the SWIFT CSP Framework {#understanding-the-swift-csp-Framework}

The SWIFT CSP framework is a comprehensive set of security controls aimed at protecting the SWIFT environment from cyber threats. It consists of both mandatory and advisory controls that financial institutions must implement to ensure the security of their SWIFT infrastructure.

1. **Mandatory Controls:** These are essential security measures that all SWIFT users must implement. They establish a baseline level of security and are designed to address the most critical vulnerabilities.
2. **Advisory Controls:** These are recommended best practices that SWIFT users are encouraged to implement. While not mandatory, they provide additional layers of security and help institutions stay ahead of emerging threats.

The CSP framework is built around three core objectives:
- **Secure Your Environment:** Protect the local SWIFT-related infrastructure, policies, and practices.
- **Know and Limit Access:** Manage and control access to sensitive systems and data.
- **Detect and Respond:** Implement measures to detect and respond to security incidents promptly.

## Role of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) in SWIFT Compliance {#role-of-mfa-in-swift-compliance}

[Multi-factor authentication (MFA)](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-multi-factor-authentication-mfa/) plays a crucial role in improving security. MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to SWIFT systems, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access, even if passwords are compromised. The SWIFT CSP  framework mandates the use of MFA as part of its security controls. Specifically, Control 4.2 of the SWIFT CSCF (Customer Security Controls Framework) requires MFA to be used when accessing SWIFT-related applications or components, including those operated by third-party service providers.

MFA ensures that the person attempting to access the SWIFT network is indeed who they claim to be by combining something the user knows (like a password), something the user has (like a security token), and something the user is (like a fingerprint or facial recognition). 

Check out, [miniOrange MFA Solution](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa)

[Implementation of MFA in banks](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/why-mfa-for-banks-and-financial-institutions/) can protect themselves against common cyber threats such as phishing, credential stuffing, and brute force attacks, making it much harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems. Additionally, MFA helps maintain the integrity and security of financial transactions processed through the SWIFT network by ensuring that only authorized users can initiate and approve transactions, thereby preventing fraudulent activities.}

## Role of Privileged Access Management (PAM) {#role-of-pam}

[Privileged Access Management (PAM)](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-privileged-access-management-pam/) is an important component in securing banking systems. PAM solutions help manage and control access to sensitive systems by privileged users, ensuring that only authorized individuals can have access to critical data/resources. [miniOrange’s PAM solutions](https://www.miniorange.com/products/privileged-access-management-pam) offer a wide range of features that align with the SWIFT CSP framework, enhancing the overall security posture of financial institutions.

Check out: [miniOrange PAM Buyer’s Guide](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/resources/pam-buyers-guide)

## miniOrange PAM Features {#miniorange-pam-features}

1. **Password Vault and Rotation:** Securely manages user accounts by [storing](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/password-vault)
, [auto-updating](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/password-rotation), and encrypting privileged passwords. This feature eliminates the need of embedded credentials and ensures regular rotation with [Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa) for enhanced security.
2. [**Session Monitor & Control:**](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-session-monitoring) Enhance security with real-time streaming, instant termination, and compliance-ready [session recordings](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-session-audit-trail). Monitor activities and receive alerts through a user-friendly dashboard for efficient threat management.
3. **Privilege Account and Session Management (PASM):** Control access to sensitive assets with the [Privileged Session Manager](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-session-management). It defines administrator access, and its duration, simplifies system access, and enforces session restrictions for robust, monitored [privilege account management](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-privileged-account-management/).
4. [**Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management (PEDM):**](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privilege-elevation-and-delegation-management-pedm) Assign time-limited access to restricted resources for specific users, customized to their current privilege levels. PEDM avoids granting standard users permanent access to sensitive resources, minimizing risks linked to overly privileged users.
5. **Endpoint Privilege Management:** Protects sensitive data and prevents unauthorized access with comprehensive security across [Windows, Mac](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-access-management-windows-active-directory), and [Linux](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privilege-management-for-linux-unix). Removes local admin rights, enforces the least privileges, and deploys [endpoint security](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/endpoint-privilege-manager) controls to mitigate the risk of security breaches.
6. **Just In Time (JIT) Privileged Access:** Minimize security risks with dynamic, [time-limited privileged access](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/just-in-time-privileged-access) precisely when needed. JIT Access ensures as-needed basis resource availability, streamlines operations, and limits misuse potential, supporting a secure, efficient, and compliant IT environment.
7. [**Agentless PAM:**](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/agentless-pam) Offers a hassle-free deployment process that mitigates the risks associated with agent vulnerabilities by eliminating the need to install and manage PAM agents on each endpoint.

[![PAM Compliance Benefits](/blog/assets/2024/miniorange-pam-compliance.webp)](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/resources/privileged-access-management-compliance )

## Implementation of PAM in Banks {#implementation-of-pam-in-bankd}

Implementing miniOrange’s PAM solutions in banking systems involves several steps:

1. **Assessment:** It evaluates the current security posture and identifies gaps in compliance with the SWIFT CSP framework.
2. **Planning:** Development of a comprehensive plan to integrate PAM solutions into the existing infrastructure.
3. **Deployment:** Implement the PAM solutions, ensuring minimal disruption to operations.
4. **Monitoring:** Continuously monitor and manage privileged access to ensure ongoing compliance and security.
5. **Review and Update:** Regularly review and update security measures to address emerging threats and changes in the SWIFT CSP framework.

## Conclusion {#conclusion}

The SWIFT Customer Security Programme (CSP) framework is required to improve the security of the global banking system. By implementing the mandatory and advisory controls outlined in the CSP, financial institutions can significantly reduce their risk of cyberattacks. [miniOrange’s MFA](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa) and [Privileged Access Management (PAM)](https://www.miniorange.com/products/privileged-access-management-pam) solutions provide the necessary tools to help banks comply with the SWIFT CSP framework, ensuring robust security and compliance.

By leveraging these advanced miniorange features, banks can protect their sensitive data, manage privileged access effectively, and maintain the integrity of their financial transactions. Stay ahead of cyber threats and secure your banking systems with miniOrange’s comprehensive solutions.


In this blog, we will explore how the CSP framework strengthens security and ensures compliance for financial institutions.

SWIFT Customer Security Programme (CSP) in Banking


PAM for Linux and Unix Systems manages sensitive elements like credentials, SSH keys, and service accounts. While most PAM solutions are great in the Windows environments, effective PAM for Linux, and Unix, is essential to safeguard root privileges and other critical components.

## What is privileged access in Linux? {#what-is-privileged-access-in-linux}

Privileged access in Linux refers to the special permissions granted to certain users, allowing them to perform critical tasks that affect the system's operation and security. These permissions are often associated with the "root" user or other accounts that can modify system files, manage user accounts, and control system settings. Proper [Linux privileged access management](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privilege-management-for-linux-unix) is crucial to prevent unauthorized actions, maintain security, and ensure compliance.

Without careful oversight through effective [privileged access management tools](https://www.miniorange.com/products/privileged-access-management-pam), these [elevated permissions](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privilege-elevation-and-delegation-management-pedm) can lead to security vulnerabilities and make it difficult to track and control user activities. Managing privilege access management for the Linux framework effectively is essential for maintaining a secure and compliant system environment.

## What are root privileges in Linux? {#what-are-root-privileges-in-linux}

Root privileges in Linux refer to the highest level of access a user can have, allowing unrestricted control over the system, including administrative actions and access to all files and configurations.

### Importance and Risks of Root Access

Root access is crucial for system administration but poses significant security risks if misused, potentially leading to unauthorized data access and system disruptions. Effective [privileged access management (PAM)](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-privileged-access-management-pam/) Linux frameworks mitigate these risks.


### Typical Use Cases for Root Privileges
Root privileges are used for installing software, configuring system settings, managing user accounts, and accessing critical system files. Implementing Linux PAM, Linux access management, and [Linux endpoint management](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/endpoint-privilege-manager) ensures secure and efficient handling of root privileges, essential for robust privileged access management Linux and privileged access management Unix systems.

## Sharing Root Privileges in Linux Environments {#sharing-root-privileges-in-linux-environments}

**Methods of Sharing Root Access**

In Linux environments, root access can be shared using the 'su' (switch user) and 'sudo' (switch user and do) commands. The 'su' command allows users to switch to the root user if they possess the root credentials. Conversely, the 'sudo' command lets users run commands with root privileges without needing the root password, elevating the user's permissions temporarily.

**Risks Associated with Shared Root Access**

Sharing root access poses significant security risks. Unauthorized users with root privileges can make critical changes, access sensitive data, and potentially compromise the entire system. Without proper privileged access management of Linux, these activities can go unmonitored, leading to severe security breaches.

**Best Practices for Securely Sharing Root Privileges**

To securely share root privileges, implement PAM (Privileged Access Management) for Linux. This involves regulating, customizing, and auditing root access. Using endpoint management and access management solutions ensures that only authorized users have elevated permissions, and their actions are continuously monitored. This structured approach enhances security and minimizes the risks associated with shared root access.

## Why should Organizations Protect Their Linux Environments? {#why-should-organizations-protect-their-linux-environments}

**Privilege Escalation Attacks**
Organizations must protect their Linux environments to prevent privilege escalation attacks. When a user account is used to perform root operations, it can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive endpoints and resources. Implementing strict access control policies and workflows ensures that admins can grant secure, time-limited access to critical systems, reducing the risk of such attacks.

**Rogue Insider Threats**

Rogue insider threats are a growing concern, with insiders weaponizing standing privileges to control IT ecosystems. To mitigate this risk, organizations need to establish clear boundaries for privileges shared across the Linux network. Eliminating standing privileges helps reduce the potential for rogue insiders to exploit their access.

**Third-party Vendor Privilege Abuse**


Collaborating with third-party vendors often involves granting additional privileges. If these privileges are unnecessary or forgotten, they can lead to privilege abuse attacks. Protecting Linux environments involves carefully managing and monitoring third-party access to ensure that only necessary permissions are granted, thereby preventing potential abuse.

## How to Manage Linux Security in 3 Steps {#how-to-manage-linux-security-in-3-steps}

![Manage Linux Security in 3 Steps](/blog/assets/2024/manage-linux-security.webp)

### Step 1: Centralize User Accounts

The first step in managing Linux security is to centralize user accounts. In a [Windows environment](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-access-management-windows-active-directory), Active Directory (AD) allows for this unification. However, Unix and Linux devices often struggle to integrate with AD due to different authentication protocols. Using an AD bridge can extend Group Policy to non-Windows platforms, allowing you to perform account maintenance and password updates through a single tool. 

This ensures consistent data across all systems, with each user having one username, one ID, one password, and one home directory.

### Step 2: Implement a Central PAM Solution

With identity unification in place, the next step is to implement a central Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution. This solution connects to your AD and allows you to authenticate users and assign privileges easily. PAM solutions enable the ongoing discovery of Unix/Linux superuser privileges, increasing accountability and enforcing consistent management. 

Features such as immutable [audit trails](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-session-audit-trail) and enhanced controls, like [session monitoring](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-session-monitoring) and recording, provide oversight and simplify reporting and compliance. This is crucial for effective privileged access management Linux.

### Step 3: Control Privileged Actions

Once users are authenticated and logged in, Unix privilege management controls what actions they can take. Granular control of root credentials limits privileges while meeting compliance regulations and policies for Unix Superuser Privilege Management (SUPM). 

By restricting commands based on defined policies and limiting superuser permissions, you reduce the risk of privileged account abuse or accidental errors. For instance, an SSH command allowlist lets admins log in as root but restricts them to a set of predefined commands, ensuring they can perform necessary tasks without overreaching their permissions.

## How Can Enterprises Ensure Privileged Access Security in Their Linux and Unix Environments? {#how-can-enterprises-ensure-privileged-access-security-in-their-linux-and-unix-environments}

To secure privileged access in Linux and Unix environments, enterprises can implement a Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution that provides comprehensive governance over user permissions and system access. Here's how this can be achieved:

**1. Secure Account Onboarding**

The first step is to periodically discover and onboard all Linux endpoints within the enterprise network. By centralizing these machines on a single platform, PAM solutions enhance visibility across what might otherwise be siloed Linux networks. These endpoints can then be grouped based on organizational hierarchy, ensuring that access is managed according to specific roles and responsibilities.

**2. Automated Remote Password Management**

Once endpoints and associated accounts are onboarded, enforcing robust password policies is essential. PAM solutions allow administrators to automate password resets, using native password generators to rotate passwords on a scheduled or on-demand basis. This automation not only strengthens security but also provides [real-time auditing](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-session-audit-trail) of password-related activities, such as resets, sharing, and check-outs, ensuring that all actions are tracked and compliant with internal security policies.

**3. Seamless Privilege Escalation and Command Control**

For managing privileged access, PAM tools offer features like [Just-in-Time (JIT) access](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/just-in-time-privileged-access), allowing temporary access to [privileged accounts](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-privileged-account-management/) for a limited period. After this period, access is automatically revoked, and passwords are reset, preventing unauthorized access. Additionally, command control enables IT administrators to restrict or allow specific SSH commands, ensuring that users only execute approved actions. This approach allows non-root users to perform necessary tasks with [elevated privileges](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privilege-elevation-and-delegation-management-pedm) without directly accessing root credentials.

By integrating these strategies—secure onboarding, automated [password management](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-password-management), and controlled privilege escalation—enterprises can effectively implement Linux-privileged access management. This not only enhances security but also ensures compliance and operational efficiency across their Linux and Unix environments.

## Best Practices for Linux Privileged Access Management {#best-practices-for-linux-privileged-access-management}

Implementing robust practices for Linux-privileged access management is crucial for maintaining the security and integrity of your IT environment. Here are some best practices to ensure effective management:

![Best Practices for Linux Privileged Access Management](/blog/assets/2024/linux-pam-best-practices.webp)

**1. Maintain an Updated Record of Privileged Accounts**

Regularly track and update a comprehensive record of all active [privileged accounts](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-are-privileged-accounts/) within your Linux environment. This practice ensures that you have visibility over who has elevated access, allowing you to quickly identify and manage any unauthorized or outdated accounts.

**2. Secure Privileged Identities in an Encrypted Vault**

Store sensitive credentials, such as passwords and SSH keys, in a [secure vault](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/password-vault) that uses standardized encryption algorithms. This ensures that your privileged Linux identities are protected from unauthorized access and potential breaches.

**3. Implement Strong Authentication and Password Policies**

Secure your Linux endpoints by enforcing strict password policies. This includes regular password resets, generating strong SSH key pairs, and automatically resetting these credentials after a single use. These measures help minimize the risk of credential compromise and unauthorized access.

**4. Apply the Principle of Least Privilege**

When sharing access to Linux endpoints, applications, and resources with third-party collaborators, always follow the principle of least privilege. Grant the minimum necessary permissions required for them to perform their tasks, and promptly revoke any standing privileges once they are no longer needed to prevent unnecessary exposure.

**5. Audit and Record All Privileged Activities**

Conduct regular audits and maintain detailed logs of all actions performed within your Linux environment, such as user SSH sessions, password resets, and privilege sharing. This not only aids in monitoring and preventing unauthorized activities but also provides crucial data for executing immediate corrective measures when needed.

By adhering to these best practices, organizations can strengthen their Linux-privileged access management framework, ensuring that sensitive information is protected, and access is controlled and monitored effectively.


## Secure Your Linux Endpoints with miniOrange – Start Today! {#secure-your-linux-endpoints-with-miniorange–start-today}


Implementing effective [Linux-privileged access management](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privilege-management-for-linux-unix) is essential for safeguarding critical systems and ensuring compliance. With [miniOrange's PAM solutions](https://www.miniorange.com/products/privileged-access-management-pam), organizations can achieve seamless integration and comprehensive security. By centralizing user accounts, automating [password management](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-password-management), and controlling privileged actions, miniOrange helps enterprises maintain robust security and operational efficiency.

This comprehensive approach to Linux privileged access management enhances visibility, enforces strict access controls, and mitigates risks associated with privileged access, making it an indispensable solution for modern IT environments.

[![Secure Your Linux Endpoints with miniOrange](/blog/assets/2024/linux-endpoint-management-cta.webp)](https://bit.ly/3Au7YMB)



Discover securing privileged accounts with Privilege Access Management (PAM). Get PAM solutions like PEDM, PASM, EPM, JIT, password vault, and rotation.

Privileged Access Management for Linux and Unix | PAM Linux


Dive into the world of privileged accounts with our comprehensive guide, exploring the types and significance of these crucial cybersecurity assets. From admin to system accounts, understand how they form the backbone of [Privileged Access Management (PAM)](https://www.miniorange.com/products/privileged-access-management-pam) and safeguard your organization's sensitive information and systems. 

Learn how miniOrange's advanced PAM solutions provide unparalleled protection through strategic access control, authentication, and monitoring. Whether you are new to the cybersecurity domain or looking to strengthen your existing framework, this blog offers essential insights into securing your most valuable digital assets.


**Key Takeaways**

- Understand the crucial role and types of privileged accounts in cybersecurity.
- Learn about the significance of privileged accounts in PAM 
- Safeguarding critical assets, minimizing security risks, & enhancing operational control.
- Discover how miniOrange's Privileged Access Management solutions provide robust protection.

## What are Privileged Accounts? {#what-are-privileged-accounts}

Privileged accounts give special permissions that are more than what regular user accounts have, letting them manage and control important IT resources.  Privileged user accounts can be linked to individuals like employees, and contractors, as well as to machines and applications. Individuals or machines having access to these special accounts are known as privileged users. These users need to use specific access codes, like passwords, SSH keys, and DevOps secrets, to prove they have the right to this higher level of access.

Since these accounts have permission to sensitive information and resources, therefore privileged accounts are highly sought-after resources for cyber attackers. They play a crucial role in security breaches, often used to gain initial access or to navigate and escalate privileges within a compromised system. Managing these accounts through privileged access management (PAM)  involves strategies and technologies aimed at securing, monitoring, and [auditing access](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-session-audit-trail) to ensure it's only used appropriately and safely.

## Types of Privileged Accounts {#types-of-privileged-accounts}

**Privilege accounts** can be broadly categorized into two types: The first type includes those that could belong to actual people, like IT administrators, or the other one that belongs to machine users such as applications and services that require elevated access for functioning. 

![Types of Privileged Accounts](/blog/assets/2024/types-of-privileged-accounts.webp)

Some privileged accounts offer a considerable level of increase in access rights, allowing for more capabilities than a standard user account, while there are others, like the root account in [Unix and Linux systems](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privilege-management-for-linux-unix), that grant complete control over the system. It enables users to execute any command or change. Below, we explore more sub-types of the two broad categories mentioned above:


### 1. Admin Account (Root/Administrator Accounts) {#1-admin-account}

Admin accounts are also known as superuser accounts, root/ admin accounts, or supervisor accounts. These accounts grant a few privileged accounts nearly unlimited privileges over a system. Some of the privileges include the ability to execute commands, make system changes, create and modify files, or change settings, additionally, they can grant or revoke permissions for any users.

### 2. Domain Accounts {#2-domain-accounts}

Domain accounts are those with administrative privileges and stand as some of the most critical privilege accounts within any organization. They have unrestricted access across a wide range of assets, making them highly valuable targets for cyber threats. These accounts often include domain administrator accounts, which hold the keys to virtually every part of the IT environment. To safeguard against potential security breaches, organizations must limit the number of these powerful accounts, carefully control who can access them, and ensure they are securely managed. 

### 3. Database (DBA) Accounts {#3-database-dba-accounts}

Database Administrator (DBA) accounts hold critical privileges in an organization’s database management, enabling actions from data modification to full system overhauls. Given their extensive access, these accounts are essential for maintaining data integrity but also pose significant security risks if compromised. Implementing strict Privilege Access measures is important and consists of enforcement of least privilege principles, robust auditing, real-time monitoring, and [strong authentication mechanisms](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa-methods). 

Such protocols ensure that DBA activities are closely watched and managed, safeguarding against unauthorized access and maintaining the security and efficiency of the organization's databases.

### 4. Network Accounts {#4-network-accounts}

Network accounts refer to credentials that provide elevated access across network devices and systems, such as routers, switches, firewalls, and network management consoles. These accounts are critical for maintaining the security and efficiency of an organization's network infrastructure but also pose a significant risk if compromised due to their high-level privileges. Managing network accounts within a Privilege Management framework involves tight security measures, including implementing the principle of least privilege to ensure individuals have only the access necessary for their specific roles. 

### 5. Application Accounts {#5-application-accounts}

Application accounts are essential for seamless application-to-application (A2A) and application-to-database (A2D) communications. Mostly it operates autonomously, requesting and receiving credentials for access. However, the widespread practice of using default credentials poses significant security risks. Secure management, including regular credential updates, secure storage practices, and robust authentication methods, is crucial to mitigate these risks and protect against unauthorized access.

### 6. Emergency Accounts (Break Glass) {#6-emergency-accounts}

Emergency accounts, often known as break glass or firecall accounts, are designed to grant users swift access to high-level system accounts they wouldn't normally have permission to use. This can include root access in Unix/Linux environments or SYS/SA access for databases.

Intended strictly for use in critical situations, these accounts come with safeguards such as time-restricted access, often enforced through password expiration or similar controls, to ensure that their use remains strictly controlled and within the context of resolving emergency issues.

### 7. Privileged User Accounts {#7-privileged-user-accounts}

**Privileged user accounts**, typically established locally on endpoints for IT support functions, can act as authorized backdoors with local administrator privileges. Their ad hoc setup often results in security vulnerabilities, such as non-unique or shared passwords across devices, influenced by the device’s age, location, or owner. Ensuring security best practices, like assigning unique passwords and closely monitoring and managing access for each account, is crucial. However, managing these credentials remotely presents a challenge due to network constraints. Strengthening endpoint security by limiting unauthorized inbound connections can further protect these critical accounts.

### 8. Service Accounts {#8-service-accounts}

In Windows environments, service accounts are essential for running services and applications. functioning without the need for local login but with the potential to be exploited for system or application compromises. As these accounts do not correspond to individual users but to services, they often escape rigorous security checks. 

Service accounts operate as shared resources across various assets, requiring effective management to function. Integrating service accounts into a [Privileged Access Management (PAM)](https://www.miniorange.com/pam) system mandates synchronization of any credential changes to ensure services can restart without disruption. 

Identifying and grouping shared service accounts for collective management is crucial to avoid overlooking any account, preventing credential rotation issues, and ensuring new assets using these accounts fall under tight security protocols, thus reducing the risk of security breaches.

###  9. Application Service Accounts {#9-application-service-accounts}

Application service accounts are specialized accounts that run automated services, applications, or processes within an IT environment. In the context of privileged access, these accounts are critical because they often require elevated privileges to perform their functions, like accessing databases, modifying system files, or running programs. Managing these accounts involves ensuring they are granted only the permissions necessary to fulfill their roles, (principle of least privileges).

 PAM strategies for application service accounts also include regular auditing, [credential rotation](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/password-rotation), and the enforcement of strong authentication measures

###  10. System Accounts {#10-system-accounts}

System accounts are integral to the operation of computer systems, providing the necessary permissions for the system's core processes and tasks. Within Privileged Access, system accounts represent a significant security focus due to their high-level access to critical system components and settings. Proper management of these accounts includes strict control over their use, monitoring of their activity, and the application of security policies that limit their access to what is strictly necessary for system operations. 


## Importance of privileged accounts {#importance-of-privileged-accounts}

Privileged accounts play a pivotal role within Privileged Access Management (PAM) frameworks, underscoring their importance in maintaining organizational security and operational integrity. 

Here’s why privileged accounts are so crucial in PAM:

- **Gatekeepers to Critical Assets**: Privileged accounts act as gatekeepers to an organization's most sensitive and critical systems, including servers, databases, and network devices. Managing these accounts is essential to protect against unauthorized access and potential breaches.
- **Compliance and Audit Requirements**: They help organizations meet strict compliance and audit requirements by ensuring that access to sensitive data and systems is strictly controlled and monitored, aligning with regulations like [GDPR, HIPAA, and SOX](https://www.miniorange.com/compliances/).
- **Minimizing Security Risks**: By managing privileged accounts, organizations can minimize the risk of security breaches. PAM solutions ensure that privileged access is granted based on the principle of least privilege, reducing the attack surface available to cyber attackers.
- **Enhanced Operational Control**: PAM provides an organization with enhanced control over its IT environment. It allows for the [monitoring, recording, and analysis](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/privileged-session-monitoring) of all privileged account activities, offering insights into potential security threats and operational bottlenecks.
- **Rapid Incident Response**: In the event of a security incident, having a robust PAM strategy that includes efficient management of privileged accounts enables organizations to respond more quickly. It allows for the immediate isolation of affected accounts and systems, mitigating potential damage.
- **Efficient Management of Access Rights**: simplifies the management of access rights for IT administrators. Automated workflows for granting and revoking privileged access reduce manual overhead and enhance overall operational efficiency.

The importance of privileged accounts in Privileged Access Management cannot be overstated. They are central to securing an organization’s most valuable assets and ensuring the smooth operation of its IT infrastructure, making PAM an indispensable part of modern cybersecurity strategies.

## How miniOrange Protects Your Privileged Accounts {#how-miniOrange-protects-your-privileged-accounts}

miniOrange specializes in comprehensive Privileged Access Management solutions, designed to protect your organization's most critical assets. Our approach combines least privilege enforcement, [multi-factor authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa), and advanced monitoring, ensuring your privileged accounts are secure yet accessible. 

Let us show you how our tailor-made security strategies can fortify your infrastructure. Schedule a demo with our experts today and take the first step towards unparalleled cybersecurity protection with miniOrange.


Discover what privileged accounts are & types that grant users elevated access to essential IT resources, such as servers and databases, beyond standard permissions.

What are Privileged Accounts? and its Types

What is Privileged Access Management (PAM)?


### What is Privileged Account Management? {#what-is-privileged-account-management}

**Privileged Account Management (PAM)** is a process that focuses on managing and securing [privileged accounts](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-are-privileged-accounts/) that get access to sensitive servers within an organization's IT environment. It consists of various roles such as granting permissions, making modifications to sensitive data, in simple words who can unlock a system, get access to the system and also take a look at what is inside the IT ecosystem. 

**Privileged accounts** are accounts that have elevated access rights, allowing users to perform critical and sensitive tasks, such as system administration, configuration changes, and access to sensitive data. The privileged account management solution aims to control, monitor, and audit these privileged accounts to ensure that access is granted only to authorized users and for approved activities. Through Privileged Account Management, organizations can reduce the risk of unauthorized access, insider threats, and potential data breaches, while also meeting compliance requirements and enhancing overall cybersecurity.

Privileged Account Management is essential for organizations to protect against cyberattacks that target privileged accounts. If these accounts are compromised, attackers can freely move within the network, conducting harmful actions like downloading malicious files, taking control of servers, and causing financial loss and damage to the organization's reputation. PAM helps prevent such risks and ensures the security of the privileged account. 

![PAM Features](/blog/assets/2023/pam-features.webp)


### What is a Privileged Account? {#what-is-a-privileged-account} 

A Privileged Account, also known as an elevated account, is a powerful and essential type of account in an IT environment. It serves as the foundation for managing organizational resources, including hardware and software. Privileged accounts encompass various types, such as Linux/Unix root accounts, Windows Administrator, Database Administrator (DBA), and various application accounts. These accounts hold significant permissions, allowing IT teams to perform critical tasks like setting up architecture, running essential applications and services, installing software, and overseeing software maintenance tasks. Essentially, privileged accounts act as master keys, providing access to critical IT assets and sensitive information within an organization.

Due to their elevated privileges, privileged accounts are high-value targets for cyber attackers, emphasizing the importance of robust security and management practices, such as [granular access control](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/granular-access-control) and [zero trust](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/zero-trust-security-model/), to protect the organization's IT environment.

#### Types of Privileged Accounts

- **Linux/Unix Root Accounts**: These pam accounts have the highest level of access in Unix-like systems.
- **Windows Administrator Accounts**: These accounts have complete control over the Windows environment.
- **Database Administrator (DBA) Accounts**: These privileged accounts manage and maintain database systems.
- **Application Accounts**: These accounts are used by applications to access databases and other services.

The management of these privileged accounts is crucial to ensuring the security and integrity of the IT infrastructure. PAM account solutions play an important role in controlling and monitoring access, ensuring that only authorized personnel can perform critical operations.

### How to manage Privileged Accounts? {#how-to-manage-privileged-accounts} 

Usually, organizations use various password management software to help employees maintain their credentials for their applications. This approach requires a bit of attention while employees choose and manage their passwords effectively. 
In today’s times, companies are moving forward with their password management and security practices. To accomplish this, robust privileged account and access management solutions must be deployed efficiently. Therefore, privileged account management tools enable your company to improve password protection and strengthen privileged account security overall.

To effectively manage privileged accounts, follow these steps for the PAM Lifecycle:


1. **Define and Classify Privileged Accounts**: Begin by defining and classifying privileged accounts. Your business functions rely on data, systems, and access, and dependence on these entities varies from one organization to another. Consult your disaster recovery plan, which typically classifies your critical systems, and align your privileged accounts to your business risk and operations. Develop IT security policies that explicitly cover privileged accounts, detailing acceptable use and responsibilities.
2. **Discover Privileged Accounts**: Use an automated privileged account discovery tool to identify and locate all these accounts in your IT environment. This will give you a comprehensive understanding of how many such accounts you have and where they are located. Continuous discovery helps curb privileged account sprawl, identify potential insider abuse, and reveal external threats. This step is crucial in the PAM Lifecycle.
3. **Manage and Protect Privileged Accounts**: Protect your pam account passwords by proactively managing, monitoring, and controlling its access with password protection software. Ensure your password management solution can automatically discover and store credentials; schedule password rotation; audit, analyze, and manage individual privileged account session activity; and monitor password accounts to detect and respond to malicious activity proactively. Develop a least privilege policy to limit IT admin access to systems, granting privileges only when required and approved. Effective PAM implementation includes robust management and protection strategies.
4. **Monitor and Record Privileged Account Activity**: Your Privileged Access Management solution should monitor and record privileged account activity. This helps enforce proper behavior and avoid user mistakes because users know their activities are being monitored. Monitoring also aids digital forensics in identifying the root cause of breaches and critical controls that can be improved to reduce future cybersecurity threats. Monitoring is a key component of the PAM Lifecycle.
5. **Detect Abnormal Usage**: Track and alert on user behavior. Up to 80% of breaches involve a compromised user or privileged account. Gain insights into privileged account access and user behavior in real-time to catch suspected account compromises and potential user abuse. Behavioral analytics establish individual user baselines, including user activity, password access, similar user behavior, and time of access, to identify and alert on suspicious activity.
6. **Respond to Incidents**: Prepare an incident response plan in case a pam account is compromised. Simply changing privileged account passwords or disabling them is not adequate when a privileged account is breached. Assume that if a domain administrator account is compromised, your entire Active Directory is also compromised. Follow a comprehensive incident response plan to address such breaches effectively. Incident response is a critical stage in the PAM Lifecycle.
7. **Review and Audit Privileged Account Activity**: Continuously monitor privileged account usage via audits and reports to identify unusual behaviors, which may indicate a breach or misuse. Automated reports help track the cause of security incidents and demonstrate compliance with policies and regulations. Privileged account audits provide essential cybersecurity metrics and vital information for executive decision-making. Regular reviews and audits are integral to successful PAM implementation.


By following these steps and embracing the PAM Lifecycle approach, you can strengthen the security of your privileged accounts and ensure effective management of these critical assets. 



### Privileged Account Management vs Privileged Access Management {#privileged-account-management-vs-privileged-access-management} 

The difference between Privileged Account Management (PAM) and Privileged Access Management (PAM) lies in their scope and focus:

**1. Privileged Account Management (PAM):**

Privileged Account Management specifically deals with the management and security of privileged accounts within an organization's IT environment. It focuses on managing and controlling the access rights and permissions of accounts that have elevated privileges, such as administrative accounts, root Linux/Unix accounts, and database administrator accounts. The main objective of it is to ensure that privileged accounts are properly protected, monitored, and audited to prevent unauthorized access and reduce the risk of security breaches.

**2. Privileged Access Management (PAM):**

Privileged Access Management, on the other hand, encompasses a broader approach that goes beyond just managing privileged accounts. It involves managing and securing all aspects of privileged access within an organization, including not only privileged accounts but also privileged access to applications, systems, databases, and other critical resources. PAM focuses on implementing comprehensive strategies and technologies to control and monitor elevated access and permissions, minimizing the attack surface and enhancing overall security.

While Privileged Account Management (PAM) focuses specifically on managing privileged accounts, Privileged Access Management (PAM) takes a more comprehensive approach, addressing all aspects of privileged access within an organization's IT environment.


### Why is Privileged Account Management important? {#why-is-privileged-account-management-important} 

The Importance of Privileged Access Management:

Privileged Account Management (PAM) is essential for several reasons:

- **Protection from cyberattacks** : Privileged accounts are prime targets for hackers seeking to gain full access to sensitive data and systems. PAM helps secure these accounts and prevents unauthorized access.
- **Mitigating insider threats** : Internal users with elevated privileges can pose significant risks. PAM helps detect and prevent misuse of privileged accounts by insiders, reducing the potential for data breaches.
- **Safeguarding against negligence** : Careless employees may unknowingly expose critical credentials, creating security vulnerabilities. PAM ensures proper controls and minimizes the risk of accidental data exposure.
- **Managing third-party access** : Vendors and ex-employees with privileged access can also pose threats. PAM ensures proper oversight of third-party access to internal infrastructure.
- **Enforcing least privilege** : Many users have more privileges than necessary for their job roles. PAM enforces the principle of least privilege, granting only essential permissions for specific tasks.
- **Proper privilege management** : Over time, unused privileges may be forgotten, leading to security gaps. PAM helps track and revoke privileges when they are no longer needed, reducing the risk of unauthorized actions.

Overall, PAM plays a crucial role in enhancing cybersecurity, protecting sensitive data, and ensuring the overall integrity of an organization's IT environment.

### FAQs {#faq}

**1. What is a privileged account management tool?**
A privileged account management tool is a software solution designed to manage and secure privileged accounts within an organization's IT environment. These tools help organizations ensure that individuals have only the necessary levels of access to perform their jobs, thereby minimizing the risk of unauthorized access and potential security breaches.

**Privileged account management tools offer several key features:**

1. Discovery and Inventory: Automatically discover and catalog all privileged accounts within the network.
2. Access Control: Enforce policies to ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive systems and data.
3. Password Management: Securely manage and rotate passwords for privileged accounts to reduce the risk of compromise.
4. Session Monitoring and Recording: Track and record user activities during privileged sessions to detect and respond to suspicious behaviors.
5. Audit and Compliance: Provide detailed reports and audit trails to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.

By implementing a **privileged account management tool**, organizations can enhance their cybersecurity posture, reduce the risk of insider threats, and ensure that access to critical IT resources is appropriately managed and monitored.


&nbsp;

**2. What is privileged account management software?**

Privileged account management software is a specialized subset of Identity and Access Management (IAM) that enables organizations to control and monitor the activities of privileged users. These users have access levels above and beyond those of standard users, granting them the ability to perform critical tasks such as system administration, configuration changes, and access to sensitive data.

Privileged account management software offers several essential features:

- **Access Control**: Ensures that only authorized users can access and perform tasks with privileged accounts.
- **Activity Monitoring**: Continuously monitors and records the actions of privileged users once they are logged into the system, providing visibility into their activities.
- **Password Management**: Secures and manages passwords for privileged accounts, including automatic rotation and secure storage.
- **Audit and Compliance**: Generates detailed reports and audit trails to help organizations meet regulatory requirements and internal security policies.
- **Risk Mitigation**: Reduces the risk of unauthorized access and potential security breaches by enforcing strict access controls and monitoring.


By using privileged account software, organizations can enhance their security posture by ensuring that privileged users have only the necessary access to perform their duties while closely monitoring their activities to detect and respond to any suspicious behavior. This helps safeguard critical IT resources and sensitive information from potential threats.

Privileged Account Management restricts access to sensitive servers and ensures that only authorized users can access privileged accounts.

What is Privileged Account Management?


### Rise of Cybersecurity Threats to Banks and Financial Institutions {#rise-of-cybersecurity-threats-to-banks-and-financial-institutions}

It is estimated that the cost of cyber attacks in the banking sector has increased dramatically, reaching 15.4 million euros per firm yearly. Protecting the assets of the consumer is the main goal of cybersecurity in digital banking. More and more activities or transactions are being done online as more and more businesses are going cashless. Cyber crimes in digital banking have an impact on both the customer and the banks. Banks have to invest a substantial sum of money and resources in order to be able to recover data. Along with that banks also lose their customer’s trust when such issues arise. 

![Cyber Security Threats](/blog/assets/2023/cyber-security-threats.webp)

Banking security experts today need to be familiar with a dizzying array of terminologies and methods, including Trojans, Rock Phish, phishing, pharming, spear phishing, session hijacking, man-in-the-middle, and man-in-the-browser attacks. Obtaining private user data like usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and social security numbers is the common goal of most attack tactics, despite the diversity of the attacks. The issue stems from the fact that these credentials are all static but never change. Once obtained, the attacker can use them to pose as the customer and commit fraud.

Even though the end-consumer suffers losses, card issuers and banks will face the majority of the burden, including refunding the customer, dealing with refund fees/fines, and investigative expenses, which frequently result in reputation loss.

Thus, banks and financial institutions must have strong cybersecurity technology know-how because data breaches may make it difficult for people to trust financial institutions.  If banks don’t take appropriate steps to safeguard users’ data, then it can be readily compromised resulting in many issues, such as fraud.

### Why is MFA required for Banks and Financial Institutions? {#why-is-mfa-required-for-banks-and-financial-institutions}

The biggest drawback of using the traditional user ID and password logins is that the passwords can be easily stolen by hackers which can cause millions of dollars in damages. Brute-force cyber attacks are a serious concern since cyber criminals can use automated password cracking tools to try different login and password combinations until they discover the proper combination. Although locking an account after a specific number of unsuccessful login attempts might aid with organisation security, hackers have access to a variety of different ways to get access to systems. This is why implementing Multi-factor Authentication is crucial for an organization as it can greatly reduce cybersecurity-related risks.

Multifactor authentication is a security measure that requires users to provide more than one piece of evidence to verify their identity. This can include something that the user knows, like a password or PIN, something that the user has, like a security token or key, or something that the user is, like a fingerprint or iris scan.

By requiring multiple forms of authentication, banks and financial institutions can make it much harder for unauthorized individuals to access sensitive data and assets. Multifactor authentication can also make it easier to track and manage user access, as each user will need to have their own unique set of authentication factors.

There are a few different ways that banks and financial institutions can implement multifactor authentication. Banks and financial institutions should carefully consider which authentication factors to use and how to best implement multifactor authentication in order to protect their data and assets. Let’s have a look at the different types of MFA methods.

 
### Types of MFA methods {#types-of-mfa-methods}

The three most fundamental categories or authentication factors are Something you know, also known as the knowledge factor; something you have, sometimes known as the possession element; and something you are, also known as the inherence factor.

- **Knowledge factor**: Answering a personal security question is often required for knowledge-based authentication. Passwords, four-digit personal identification numbers (PINs), and one-time passwords are the most common knowledge factor technologies (OTPs).
- **Possession factor**: Users must have something specific in their possession in order to log in, such as a badge, token, key or phone subscriber identity module (SIM) card. For mobile authentication, a smartphone often provides the possession factor in conjunction with an OTP app.
The most common possession factor user scenarios include mobile authentication, where users receive a code via their smartphone to gain or grant access. These include text messages and phone calls sent to a user as an out-of-band method, and smartphone OTP apps.
- **Inherence factor**: Any biological characteristics that are verified for login by the user. 

The following biometric verification techniques are included in inheritance factor technologies: 

- retina/iris scan
- fingerprint scan
- facial recognition
- voice recognition   

### Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for SWIFT Banking Application {#multi-factor-authentication-mfa-for-swift-banking-application}

The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, or SWIFT, is the world’s top provider of secure financial messaging services. SWIFT is a global banking application that is used by thousands of banks and financial institutions around the world on a daily basis.

The SWIFT infrastructure is used to securely transmit more than 40 million financial communications each day. It allows the transfer of trillions of dollars of cross-border payments between 11,000 financial institutions in more than 200 countries with each member having its own SWIFT code. 

SWIFT has been the target of attacks in recent years, with criminals attempting to send fraudulent messages through the system. MFA can help protect against these types of attacks by requiring the user to provide more than just a password to log in and greatly reduce the risk of an unauthorized individual trying to access a critical banking application like SWIFT.

### miniOrange’s MFA Solution {#miniOrange-mfa-solution}

miniOrange provides an advanced [MFA solution](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa) that ensures the correct identity has access to your sensitive information.

![MFA Workflow](/blog/assets/2023/mfa-workflow.webp)

### MFA methods supported by miniOrange {#mfa-methods-supported-by-miniorange}

miniOrange supports [15+ authentication methods](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa-methods) that include:

- **SMS and Phone Callback**: Receive a text on your mobile with the information required to validate yourself for the second factor.
- **MFA Apps**: Receive a Time-based OTP Token (TOTP) by an external authentication app such as Google/Microsoft authenticator for secure login.
- **miniOrange Authenticator App**: Use the miniOrange authenticator to get your login information in the form of a soft token, push notification or a QR code.
- **Email**: Get your login information such as login links and password keys on your registered email address.
- **Hardware Token**: Use a physical USB token on your computer, which generates the required information to gain access.
- **Security Questions**: Answer a few knowledge-based security questions which are only known to you to authenticate yourself.

### Adaptive Authentication/Risk-based Authentication {#adaptive-authentication-risk-based-authentication}

miniOrange provides an advanced form of Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) known as Adaptive Authentication.

[Adaptive Authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/products/adaptive-multi-factor-authentication-mfa) (Risk-Based Authentication) is a process of selecting the right authentication factors depending on a user’s risk profile defined and tends to adapt to the type of authorization factors.

Adaptive MFA authentication prompts for Multi-Authentication (MFA) based on the user’s behaviour, device IP, and geo-location, resulting in the highest degree of protection. Simply stating, authentication techniques are changed based on real-time circumstances. 

Every login attempt does not have to go through 2FA with risk-based authentication. Instead, each and every transaction is analyzed and risk-assessed. In addition, a risk score is provided to determine if the transaction can be completed safely.

For example, when an employee of the bank tries to access a critical application such as SWIFT, adaptive authentication determines the risk levels based on the user’s role, resource significance, location, time of day, and also the day of the week. Based on their behaviour over time, the system may maintain track of users’ normal activities. Automatic rules will be defined based on behaviour, and authentication will be prompted accordingly. This helps to strongly verify and give access only to the required users.

### Benefits of miniOrange MFA Solution {#benefits-of-miniOrange-mfa-solution}

- Enhanced Security
- Fraud Prevention
- Real-time Restriction Methods based on user attributes like:
  - IP address
  - Device ID
  - Geo-location
  - Time of access
- Improved User Trust
- Reduced Management Cost
- Increased Productivity and Flexibility
- Adaptability for Different Use-Cases

### Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Guidelines {#reserve-bank-of-india-rbi-guidelines}

Since October 1, 2021, India’s Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made MFA essential for transactions involving automatic recurring payments such as phone top-up, DTH, OTT, and utility bills.

Instead of the earlier, more straightforward auto-debit rules, the new regulations, which went into effect on October 1, 2021, required customers to give their consent for every recurring payment of over Rs 5,000 and to go through a two-factor authentication process each time a payment is to be made.

Banks now have to notify consumers in advance of any regular payments that are due and only deduct the money after verification, per these new regulations. Additionally, for recurring payments of more than Rs. 5000, banks are required to issue a one-time password (OTP).

The rules were put in place to make digital payments for customers safe and secure.

RBI has provided guidelines for implementing multi-factor authentication. You can find more information on these rules here.

### How miniOrange implemented MFA for Punjab National Bank (PNB) {#how-miniOrange-implemented-mfa-for-punjab-national-bank-pnb}

As a multinational bank that is government-run, privacy is a crucial factor in every transaction. PNB ran into an issue with the Swift Application’s design inside its department that handled global transactions. International transactions necessitate the use of foreign currencies. Several SAML-compliant apps were used to manage these currencies. Even though PNB had a private network for these apps, they only had their Active Directory-based username and password authentication to verify the user identities of the workers.

As a result, a number of apps were open to unauthorized access by people or other entities that might exploit current user IDs to log into the applications. This can be extremely damaging to the organisation and its clients. PNB decided that these apps needed the Second Factor of Authentication to close these vulnerabilities in their system. Users would authenticate twice, first with their current Active Directory credentials and again with a different set of values from OTP, Google authenticator, hardware tokens, and other sources, increasing their security.

miniOrange provided PNB with an On-Premise solution for Two-Factor Authentication. This solution was critical in increasing security and preventing unauthorized access to critical applications.

You can read more on how miniOrange provided a custom MFA solution based on PNB’s requirements here.

### Conclusion {#further-reading}

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) can be an important security measure for banks and financial institutions. MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide more than one form of authentication. It ensures that only the right people have access to the valuable assets and information of a bank or financial institution.

MFA is needed for banks to protect against various online threats, such as phishing attacks, account takeovers and several others. In this digital age, it is more important than ever to have the proper security measures in place to protect your business and customers. MFA is one of the most effective ways to protect your organization from cyber-crime.

You can sign up for a free trial account to test miniOrange’s MFA solution here or if you would like to see a demo of our MFA solution click here.

MFA for Banks and Financial Institutions adds an extra layer of security which ensures that only the right people have access to the valuable assets and information.

Why is Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) necessary for Banks and Financial Institutions?


Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) is a proactive security strategy that focuses on restricting access to sensitive data by removing permanent access rights. This approach ensures that access privileges are granted on a Just-in-Time basis, significantly reducing the risk of data breaches and compliance issues. 

&nbsp;

In this blog, we will dive into the concept of zero-standing privileges,

- Examine how standing privileges arise
- Discuss the implementation of Just-in-Time (JIT) access, and 
- Know more about the ZSP model.

&nbsp;

We will also highlight the potential risks associated with standing privileges, outline the advantages of adopting a zero standing privilege philosophy, and overview of the best practices for integrating ZSP into your security framework. 

## What is Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP)? {#What is Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP)?}

The term Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) was coined by [Gartner](https://www.gartner.com/en) that define the ideal state for managing privileged access in an organization to reduce the risks of credential theft, misuse of privileges, security breaches, and data loss.

&nbsp;

Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) is a security concept where no persistent or always-on privileged access rights are granted to any identities or accounts, be it a human or a machine. This approach aims to eliminate standing privileges, operating under the principle that privileges should only be granted on a [Just-in-Time (JIT)](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/just-in-time-privileged-access) basis. 

&nbsp;

ZSP represents the ideal outcome in a [Privileged Access Management (PAM)](https://www.miniorange.in/products/privileged-access-management-pam) model, where continuous authentication and the application of the least privilege are essential. The framework aligns closely with [Zero Trust](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/zero-trust-security-model/) strategies, which advocate for the removal of default, and uninterrupted access privileges and emphasize that no access should be given based on assumed trust.

&nbsp;

Implementing ZSP means that administrative or authorized access is never pre-assigned but is automatically allocated for specific tasks and only for the necessary duration. This method significantly reduces the cyberattack surface by limiting the opportunities for privilege abuse. By ensuring that privileges are securely tailored and short-lived, ZSP helps prevent the collection of access rights that could lead to data breaches, unauthorized data access, and other security violations. This approach enhances security protocols and supports compliance by implementing strict access control standards.


## What is a Just-in-Time Access Model? {#what-is-a-just-in-time-access-model}

The [Just-in-Time (JIT)](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/just-in-time-privileged-access) Access Model is a strategic approach to privilege management that drastically reduces the active window during which privileges are available. Unlike traditional models that grant standing privileges indefinitely, JIT access limits privilege activation to the precise moments they are needed. This targeted allocation minimizes the attack window, significantly enhancing the organization's security structure. By controlling the duration of access, JIT effectively closes the gaps that could potentially be exploited by malicious user activities.

![just in time (jit) access model](/blog/assets/2024/what-is-just-in-time-access.webp)

Implementing a JIT model transforms how administrative privileges are handled. For example, in a standard environment, an administrator might have continuous access throughout the week, 24*7, 7 days a week,  totaling 168 hours. 

&nbsp;

However, with JIT, this access could be restricted to as little as a few hours, or even minutes per week, based on specific tasks and operational requirements. This reduction ensures that access rights are provided dynamically and only as needed. 

## Why are Zero Standing Privileges Important? {#Why are Zero Standing Privileges Important?}

Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) are increasingly recognized as an essential aspect of modern cybersecurity frameworks, particularly in environments where access rights need to be revised frequently. By adopting ZSP, organizations implement [granular access control](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/granular-access-control), policy-based security controls that provide users with short-term access on a needed basis. 

&nbsp;

This approach not only ensures that access rights are promptly revoked after the completion of a task but also significantly reduces the administrative burden on IT teams who would otherwise spend considerable time on [provisioning and de-provisioning](https://www.miniorange.com/products/user-provisioning) access. Moreover, the limited access granted under ZSP can enhance an organization's eligibility for cyber insurance, potentially lowering the costs associated with recovering from a security breach.

&nbsp;

Another critical advantage of ZSP is its capacity to limit excessive administrative privileges, which are commonly overextended in many IT environments. Administrative users often retain high levels of access, which can pose significant security risks if exploited. By limiting administrative access to only what is necessary for specific tasks and durations, ZSP minimizes the risk of unauthorized activities and potential internal and external threats. Additionally, this model reduces the need for an organization to manage a large volume of passwords, secrets, and keys, thereby simplifying the security infrastructure and further securing the IT environment against breaches and unauthorized access.


### The risks of standing privileges

Let us now have a look at a few of the risks associated with standing privileges 

![Risks of standing privileges according to Gartner](/blog/assets/2024/risks-of-standing-privileges.webp)

1. **Excessive Access Risk**: Standing privileges allow for continuous, unmonitored access to IT resources, making them vulnerable if credentials are compromised, granting attackers unrestricted entry into the system.
2. **Security Issues with Permanent Access**: The necessity to constantly monitor who has access to what, especially in growing IT environments with remote work, demands significant ongoing management and can lead to security oversights.
3. **Increased Risk of Lateral Movement**: Withstanding privileges, attackers can use compromised credentials to move laterally within the network, accessing sensitive areas and escalating privileges, thus amplifying the potential damage from a breach.
4. **Resource Drain in Access Management**: Continuous provisioning and de-provisioning of access for new or departing employees can overextend an organization's resources, increasing the chance of errors that lead to breaches.
5. **Inadequacy of Traditional PAM Solutions**: Traditional [Privileged Access Management solutions](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/) often fail to adequately prevent breaches from compromised credentials, underscoring the need for a Zero Standing Privileges approach to limit access to resources strictly as needed.

## What is Zero Trust vs least privilege? {#what-is-zero-trust-vs-least-privilege}

Zero Trust and the principle of least privilege are two fundamental concepts in cybersecurity that focus on minimizing access risks, but they differ in their approach and emphasis.

&nbsp;

[Zero Trust](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/zero-trust-security-model/) operates on the principle of "never trust, always verify." This means it doesn't automatically trust anything inside or outside its network. Instead, Zero Trust requires verification for every access request regardless of where the request originates or what resource it accesses. It involves continuous authentication and authorization checks to ensure security is maintained throughout a session, not just at the entry point.

![What is the Principle of least privilege? (PoLP)](/blog/assets/2024/principle-of-least-privilege-polp.webp)


[Least Privilege](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/principle-of-least-privilege-polp), on the other hand, is about limiting user access rights to only what is strictly necessary to perform their job functions. It focuses on minimizing the potential damage that could occur if an account is compromised. By providing the minimum level of access required, it reduces the risk and impact of a security breach.

&nbsp;

While Zero Trust encompasses a broader, more holistic approach to network security—constantly questioning the security status of assets and user access—least privilege is more specifically concerned with ensuring users don’t have more access than they need. Both approaches aim to enhance security by controlling access based on user identity and context, but they apply their principles in slightly different ways to protect digital environments.

### Difference between ZSP and PoLP

| Aspect                        | Zero Trust Security (ZTS)                | Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP)           |
|-------------------------------|------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|
| **Core Principle**            | Never trust, always verify.              | Grant the minimum necessary access.           |
| **Verification**              | Continuous authentication and checks.    | Initial setup of minimal access, adjusted as needed. |
| **Scope**                     | Broad: network, devices, users, data.    | Specific: user and application access.        |
| **Focus**                     | Trust validation at every access.        | Limiting access to minimize risk.             |
| **User Access**               | Dynamic based on risk assessment.        | Static setup, modified as needed.             |
| **Implementation**            | MFA, micro-segmentation, monitoring.     | Role management, access reviews, audits.      |
| **Examples**                  | Multi-checkpoint user verification, secure remote access. | Assigning read-only access to sensitive data.  |



### How does Zero Standing Privileges work?

Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) is a security approach designed to minimize the risk of excessive or unnecessary access rights within an organization's IT environment to their [Privileged Accounts](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-are-privileged-accounts/). 

Here’s how it works step-by-step:

1. **Authentication and Request** : The process begins with a user authenticating themselves in the system. After authentication, the user requests specific access rights or entitlements. These requests are aligned with the principle of least privilege, meaning the user asks only for the access necessary to perform a particular task.
2. **Time-bound Access** : The request includes not only the specific entitlements needed but also the duration for which they are required. This duration should be as short as feasible to minimize risk, as longer access periods can potentially expose the system to greater security threats.
3. **Processing the Request** : After the request is made, it needs to be processed. In simpler or smaller-scale implementations, this might involve a manual approval flow where an assigned approver manually reviews and approves the request. However, for efficiency and to reduce the chance of human error, automating this approval process is recommended where feasible.
4. **Provisioning Access** : Once the request is approved, the system automatically provisions the requested entitlements to the user's federated identity. This means the access rights are temporarily granted to the user for the duration specified.
5. **Performing the Task** : With the entitlements provisioned, the user can then proceed to carry out the necessary tasks or work. The system ensures that access is configured correctly for the duration of the session.
6. **Termination of Access** : After the work is completed, the user either actively ends the session or lets the access rights expire as per the set time limit. The ZSP system then automatically enforces the removal of all the entitlements or roles that were granted temporarily.

This approach effectively reduces the risk of permanent, excessive, or unused privileges within the system, aligning with broader security strategies like Zero Trust by continuously adapting access controls based on ongoing assessments of need and risk.

The user is returned to the default state of zero permissions.

## Explore miniOrange PAM Solution {#explore-miniorange-pam-solution}

miniOrange PAM solution revolutionizes traditional Privileged Access Management by offering seamless and secure control over your organization's critical resources. With miniOrange PAM, you empower your team to grant access precisely when it's needed, enhancing security without compromising on productivity. Our solution utilizes the principles of zero standing privileges and just-in-time access, which minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and significantly reduces the threat of data breaches.

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Start a free 30-day free trial of miniOrange PAM today and experience firsthand how straightforward and effective implementing zero standing privileges and just-in-time access can be.


Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) minimize risk by eliminating persistent privileged access in IT environments.