Privileged Identity Management (PIM)

What Is Privileged Identity Management (PIM)

Privileged Identity Management (PIM) is a cybersecurity practice that secures access to critical systems by tightly controlling privileged (administrative) identities. Instead of granting permanent admin rights, PIM uses just-in-time (JIT) elevation, approvals, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to provide temporary, task-specific access. Every action is logged and auditable, significantly reducing the risk of insider threats, credential misuse, and privilege escalation attacks.

Core Concepts of PIM

Just-in-Time (JIT) Privileged Access

• Privileged permissions are activated only when needed and automatically revoked after a defined time.
• Eliminates always-on administrative access.

Privileged Identity Control

• Manages high-risk identities such as system admins, database admins, and super users.
• Distinguishes between eligible users and active privileged users.

Approval Workflows

• Elevated access requests require approval from managers or peers.
• Ensures accountability and prevents unauthorized privilege activation.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

• Requires strong identity verification before activating privileged roles.
• Protects against stolen or compromised credentials.

Auditing & Monitoring

• Records who accessed what, when, and for what purpose.
• Supports compliance audits and forensic investigations.

How Privileged Identity Management Works

Privileged Identity Management (PIM) works by replacing permanent administrative access with temporary, just-in-time (JIT) privilege elevation. Instead of always having admin rights, users are made eligible for privileged roles and must request activation only when needed. Access is granted for a limited time, requires approval and strong authentication, and is fully logged and greatly reducing the risk of credential misuse, insider threats, and privilege escalation attacks.

Process of PIM

Eligibility Instead of Permanent Access

• Users are marked as eligible for privileged roles rather than permanently assigned them.
• Prevents standing (always-on) admin privileges.

Role Activation Request

• When elevated access is required, the user submits a request through the PIM portal.
• Requests include role selection and justification.

Approval Workflow

• Access requests trigger predefined approval workflows.
• Managers or security admins must approve before activation.

Just-in-Time (JIT) Access

• Once approved, privileges are granted for a strictly limited time window (e.g., 1–8 hours).
• Access is automatically revoked when the time expires.

Auditing & Monitoring

• All role activations, approvals, and privileged actions are logged.
• Provides complete audit trails for security investigations and compliance.

Notifications & Visibility

• Alerts notify admins and users when privileges are activated, modified, or revoked.
• Improves transparency and accountability.

Privileged Identity Management vs Privileged Access Management

Privileged Identity Management (PIM) and Privileged Access Management (PAM) address different but complementary parts of privileged security. PIM governs who can obtain elevated privileges and for how long, while PAM governs how those privileges are used to access critical systems and what happens during those sessions. Together, they form a complete privileged security strategy.

Privileged Identity Management (PIM)

Primary Focus

• Managing the identity lifecycle of privileged users and roles.

Goal

• Ensure the right person gets temporary, approved, context-aware elevated access.

Key Capabilities

• Role-based privileged access
• Just-in-Time (JIT) role activation
• Approval workflows and justification
• MFA enforcement for privilege activation
• Eligibility-based admin access (no standing privileges)

Privileged Access Management (PAM)

Primary Focus

• Securing and monitoring how privileged access is used on systems.

Goal

• Prevent misuse, credential theft, and breaches during privileged sessions.

Key Capabilities

• Password vaulting and credential rotation
• Session monitoring and recording
• Command and activity control
• Secure access brokering to servers, databases, and network devices
• Least-privilege enforcement during sessions

Benefits of Privileged Identity Management

Privileged Identity Management (PIM) strengthens security by enforcing least privilege, eliminating standing administrative rights that attackers commonly exploit. It reduces the attack surface, limits insider misuse, and improves visibility into privileged activity. At the same time, PIM supports regulatory compliance with detailed audit trails, lowers IT overhead through automation, and streamlines privileged access workflows making it a critical control for modern, Zero Trust environments.

Loginsoft Perspective

At Loginsoft, Privileged Identity Management is a critical part of modern identity security. Through our Threat Intelligence, Vulnerability Intelligence, and Security Engineering Services, we help organizations identify privileged identity risks and strengthen governance.

Loginsoft supports PIM initiatives by

• Identifying risky privileged identities
• Analyzing identity misuse patterns
• Strengthening access governance strategies
• Aligning PIM controls with threat intelligence
• Supporting secure identity architecture

Our intelligence-driven approach ensures privileged identities remain controlled, monitored, and secure.

Summary

Privileged Identity Management (PIM) is a security approach focused on managing, controlling, and monitoring privileged user identities and their access rights within an organization. It ensures that elevated permissions are granted only when needed and for a limited time, reducing the risk of misuse, insider threats, and credential compromise. By enforcing just-in-time access, approval workflows, strong authentication, and detailed auditing, PIM helps organizations maintain least-privilege principles, improve visibility into privileged activity, and strengthen overall identity and access security while supporting compliance requirements.

FAQs - Privileged Identity Management (PIM)

Q1. What is Privileged Identity Management

PIM is the practice of managing privileged identities by granting elevated access only when required.

Q2. How is PIM different from PAM

PIM manages who can become privileged, while PAM manages how privileged access is used.

Q3. Why is PIM important in cybersecurity

Because standing privileged identities increase attack surface and risk.

Q4. What environments use PIM

Cloud, hybrid, and enterprise identity environments commonly use PIM.

Q5. How does Loginsoft support PIM security

Loginsoft helps identify identity risks, improve access governance, and align PIM with threat intelligence.