What are Privileged Accounts?

Privileged accounts are widely known as the ‘keys to the kingdom’ in the world of cyber security and network management. These powerful user accounts possess superior authority to access files, databases, networks, and more. Comprehending the character and supervision of these accounts is of utmost importance for keeping a strong IT security system.  

Accounts with privileged access are more powerful than regular user accounts. These accounts can override user access controls, make changes to the system, and gain unrestricted access to important data. They come in various forms and are used in different contexts: 

Administrator accounts: You can have extensive control over programs or applications, usually with the power to alter settings, take control of user accounts, get software installed, and have access to every file in the system.  

Service accounts: An application or service can use these accounts to communicate with the operating system. They can have an extensive range of rights to get the job done. 

Domain administrative accounts: With the right privileges, users can take control of a domain and make drastic changes to systems and user accounts. Granting these permissions is a powerful way to streamline processes and give users the ability to make important decisions. 

Emergency accounts: You may have heard of them referred to as "firecall" or "break glass" accounts - they're there to be used in a pinch, so you can get a high level of access for dealing with system issues or doing some troubleshooting. 

Local administrative accounts: Provide administrative rights to a single system.

Root accounts: On UNIX/Linux systems, root accounts get free rein over all commands and files - no holds barred.  

The importance of Privileged Account Management (PAM)

Cybercriminals are keen on getting their hands on privileged accounts as they possess great power and potential. If these accounts are misused, it can lead to massive data leakage, regulatory violations, and huge business disruptions. Therefore, having a well-structured strategy for Privileged Account Management (PAM) is vital, focusing on: 

Monitoring and auditing: Keeping detailed logs of all activities performed with privileged accounts to detect unauthorized access or misuse.

Least privilege principle: Restricting account access to just what's needed for its purpose can help avoid malicious behaviour or inadvertent destruction. It's wise to keep the permissions limited. 

Regular password updates: It's important to switch up your passwords every now and then, making sure they are hard to crack. By doing this, you can keep unwanted visitors out of your accounts. 

Session management: Monitoring and controlling active sessions of privileged users to prevent unauthorized activities during these sessions.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA): For an added layer of security, it's essential to demand more than one form of authentication when it comes to verifying the identity of the user before granting access to a privileged account.  

Challenges in Privileged Account Management (PAM)

Managing privileged accounts presents several challenges, including: 

Overprovisioning: There may be times when users have access to too much, which can heighten the risk of abuse. Providing users with more privileges than necessary can increase the likelihood of misuse.  

Password management: Keeping track of numerous complex passwords can be difficult.

Monitoring and oversight: The need for robust systems and resources to consistently track these accounts for any abnormal or unapproved activity is a must. 

When it comes to addressing your specific security and compliance needs in the realm of identity governance, there is no better partner to assist you. Discover how our expertise can safeguard your sensitive data, regardless of its location, especially when dealing with Privileged Accounts.