Privileged Access Management (PAM)

What Is Privileged Access Management (PAM)

Privileged Access Management (PAM) is a cybersecurity strategy and set of tools designed to secure, control, and monitor elevated access to critical systems and sensitive data. It protects high-risk human and machine identities, such as administrators, root users, and service accounts, by enforcing the Principle of Least Privilege and granting just enough access, just in time.

Key Components & Functions of PAM

Privileged Access Management (PAM) works by acting as a secure gatekeeper for high-risk accounts such as administrators, root users, and service accounts. It protects critical systems by storing privileged credentials in secure vaults, enforcing least-privilege access, granting just-in-time (JIT) permissions, and continuously monitoring all privileged activity.

Privileged Accounts Management

• Secures high-impact accounts such as root, Administrator, domain admins, and service accounts with extensive permissions.

Password Vaulting

• Stores privileged credentials in a secure vault.
• Automates password rotation and removes direct visibility of passwords from users.

Just-in-Time (JIT) Access

• Provides temporary, task-specific elevated access only when required.
• Automatically revokes privileges after the task or time window ends.

Session Monitoring & Recording

• Records privileged sessions for full visibility into actions taken.
• Supports audits, forensics, and compliance requirements.

Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP)

• Ensures users and systems operate with the minimum permissions necessary, reducing the blast radius of a compromise.

Privilege Elevation & Delegation

• Allows controlled elevation for specific actions (e.g., sudo in Linux) without granting full admin rights.

Types of Privileged Accounts

Privileged accounts are identities with elevated permissions that allow control over systems, applications, networks, and sensitive data. Because these accounts can bypass standard security controls and make high-impact changes, they are prime targets for attackers. Securing them through Privileged Access Management (PAM) is essential to prevent unauthorized access, insider misuse, and large-scale breaches.

Common Types of Privileged Accounts

Domain Administrator Accounts

• Have full control over an entire Active Directory domain.
• Can manage users, systems, policies, and access across the network.

Local Administrator Accounts

• Provide complete control over a single server, workstation, or device.
• Commonly used by IT teams for system maintenance and troubleshooting.

Root Accounts

• The highest-level accounts in Linux and Unix systems.
• Allow unrestricted access to system files, configurations, and processes.

Service Accounts

• Non-human accounts used by applications or services to run automated tasks.
• Often have persistent privileges, making them attractive targets if unmanaged.

Application Accounts

• Control or configure specific applications, APIs, or software services.
• May access sensitive application data or backend systems.

Database Administrator (DBA) Accounts

• Provide full access to database servers, schemas, and stored data.
• Can create, modify, delete, or extract critical information.

Emergency / Break-Glass Accounts

• Highly restricted accounts used only during critical incidents when normal access methods fail.
• Typically monitored, time-bound, and tightly controlled.

Network Device Accounts

• Administrative access to routers, switches, firewalls, and other network infrastructure.
• Compromise can enable traffic interception or network-wide disruption.

Key Risks & Security Considerations

High-Value Targets

• Attackers seek privileged accounts to move laterally, escalate access, and exfiltrate data.

Required Security Controls

• Strong authentication (MFA)
• Password vaulting and rotation
• Session monitoring and auditing
• Just-in-time and least-privilege access via PAM

Loginsoft Perspective

At Loginsoft, Privileged Access Management is seen as a cornerstone of identity security. Through our Threat Intelligence, Vulnerability Intelligence, and Security Engineering Services, we help organizations identify privileged access risks and strengthen control over critical accounts.

Loginsoft supports PAM initiatives by

• Identifying exposed or abused privileged credentials
• Enhancing detection of privilege misuse
• Aligning PAM controls with threat intelligence
• Supporting secure access architecture
• Improving visibility into high-risk access

Our intelligence-driven approach ensures privileged access is protected, monitored, and governed effectively.

Summary

Privileged Access Management (PAM) is a cybersecurity framework designed to secure, control, and monitor access to critical systems and sensitive resources by privileged users such as administrators, developers, and service accounts. PAM helps prevent credential misuse, insider threats, and privilege escalation by enforcing least-privilege access, strong authentication, session monitoring, and credential vaulting. By limiting who can access high-risk accounts and tracking privileged activity in real time, PAM reduces the attack surface, supports regulatory compliance, and protects organizations from breaches caused by compromised or abused privileged credentials.

FAQs - Privileged Access Management (PAM)

Q1. What is Privileged Access Management

PAM is the practice of securing and controlling access to accounts with elevated permissions.

Q2. Why is PAM important in cybersecurity

Because privileged accounts are prime targets for attackers and can cause significant damage if compromised.

Q3. What accounts are protected by PAM

Administrator accounts, service accounts, system accounts, and cloud admin accounts.

Q4. How does PAM reduce cyber risk

By limiting standing privileges, monitoring access, and enforcing least privilege principles.

Q5. How does Loginsoft support PAM security

Loginsoft supports PAM by identifying privilege risks, enriching detection with intelligence, and strengthening access control strategies.