Privileged Access Management in cybersecurity

Introduction Of PAM

Privileged Access Management is a security strategy and set of technologies to control, monitor, secure, and audit access to critical systems and data by privileged users with elevated rights. These include IT admins, DevOps tools, third-party vendors, applications, and service accounts.

CyberArk is a market leader in PAM, offering an integrated platform to manage this kind of access without leaving back doors open.

 Key Components

1. Enterprise Password Vault (EPV)

The core component of their security framework is the CyberArk Digital Vault.

This acts as a safe, centralized repository for all privileged data, such as SSH keys and passwords.

By adopting this unified strategy, the attack surface is significantly reduced, resulting in an enhanced overall security posture.

The Vault effectively mitigates the dangers associated with locally stored or hardcoded passwords by securely managing these sensitive assets.

Why it matters:

• Unmanaged credentials are high-value targets for attackers.

• Passwords stored in spreadsheets, documents, or scripts are common security gaps.

How it functions:

• Administrators and applications access passwords via secure interfaces.

• Passwords are automatically and regularly changed to avoid reuse and reduce risks.

• The “check-in/check-out” process guarantees transparency and stops simultaneous usage.

2. Privileged Session Manager (PSM)

This module serves as a secure gateway or proxy to allow access to target systems without disclosing passwords or providing direct connectivity.

Why it matters:

• Restricts direct and unregulated access to essential servers.

• Documents each session, enabling investigative analysis if issues arise.

How it functions:

• Users connect through PSM, which verifies their identity, retrieves credentials from EPV, and initiates the session.

• Comprehensive session recording encompasses both screen capture and keystrokes.

• Rules for session termination can be enforced.

3. Privileged Threat Analytics (PTA)

A behavioral analytics system that detects suspicious actions related to privileged accounts.

Why it matters:

• Insider threats or account compromises can seem typical unless their activities are assessed over an extended period.

• Warning signs (such as accessing accounts during odd hours, executing unusual commands, or inconsistencies in geo-location) can easily be overlooked.

How it functions:

1. PTA works in conjunction with session information, logs, and network activities.

2. It identifies incidents such as:

• Accessing infrequently used accounts

• Patterns indicating credential theft

• Attempts of lateral movement.

4. Central Policy Manager (CPM)

The automation system responsible for enforcing policies, rotating passwords, and managing the lifecycle of credentials.

Why it matters:

• Changing passwords manually is time-consuming, prone to mistakes, and often not in compliance.

• Regularly updating passwords diminishes the risk associated with compromised credentials.

How it functions:

• CPM analyzes managed devices and automatically updates passwords at specified time intervals.

• When a credential is checked in, CPM promptly rotates it.

• Applies custom regulations: password complexity, aging, and prevention of reuse.

Conclusion

CyberArk improves operational security by automating the rotation of credentials and monitoring sessions, while also aiding in regulatory compliance and governance through comprehensive auditing, reporting, and enforcement of policies. In a landscape where breaches of privileged accounts frequently lead to significant security issues, CyberArk equips organizations with the necessary control, visibility, and protection to function securely and with confidence.