In today’s evolving cybersecurity landscape, Privileged Access Management (PAM) is essential for protecting your organization’s sensitive systems and data. However, not all PAM solutions are created equal. When evaluating and implementing PAM tools, it is extremely important to understand the dos and don’ts of elevating privileges effectively and securely.
CyberFOX has created the ultimate Dos and Don’ts guide to Privileged Access Management:
DO: Elevate Only What’s Necessary
Elevate access solely for the task that requires it, ensuring the minimum necessary permissions are granted. This limits the attack surface and prevents unauthorized activities, while still allowing work to get done.
Implement granular elevation policies for specific applications or tasks.
DON’T: Grant broad or unrestricted admin access.
Elevate entire user sessions without controls. Session-wide elevation opens the door to misuse and malicious activity. Leaving admin-level permissions open for an extended period (e.g., 15 minutes) creates vulnerabilities.
DO: Automate Elevation with Policies
Use configurable rules to streamline elevation requests while maintaining strict controls.
Leverage policy-based automation to ensure consistency and reduce manual errors. For example, automatically approve trusted applications while flagging unknown ones for review.
DON’T: Rely solely on session-based elevation.
Session-based elevation lacks automation and is entirely manual intervention. This approach is prone to delays and human error, making it inefficient and less secure.
DO: Implement Multi-Layered Security Features
Include features like blocklisting to enhance system protection even when privileges are elevated, and Just-in-Time Admin Login to grant temporary, tightly-scoped admin permissions as needed. These features work together to create a more secure environment, and their inclusion alongside elevation capabilities significantly strengthens the overall effectiveness of a PAM solution.
DON’T: Ignore the value of layered defenses.
Elevation tools built upon password rotation features and vulnerable self-service resets lack security. Only having Just-in-Time functionality is less complete, leaving systems exposed during elevated sessions.
DO: Choose a Solution That Truly Elevates Security
Opt for a PAM solution like CyberFOX AutoElevate that delivers robust, comprehensive protection. A well-designed tool should integrate seamlessly into your workflow, combining automation, security, and ease of use to meet your organization’s needs without compromise.
DON’T: Settle for “Good Enough”
Avoid solutions that only meet the bare minimum for privileged access management. Don’t compromise on security, automation, or feature completeness. “Good enough” often means leaving gaps in protection, creating inefficiencies, and exposing your systems to unnecessary risks.
Why it matters
An effective PAM solution is more than just ticking boxes. It’s imperative to choose a PAM tool that strengthens your security and does not introduce additional vulnerabilities or leave security gaps. Solutions like CyberFOX AutoElevate that prioritize ease of use and affordability while ensuring robust security, empower organizations to stay ahead of threats.