A privileged account that has full access to a system or network, typically used for managing and configuring resources.
Description
In the context of Non-Human Identity Management, an Admin or Root Account refers to a type of privileged identity that is often used by automated systems, applications, or services to perform administrative tasks on a network or within an IT environment. These accounts possess elevated permissions that allow them to access all files, configurations, and settings, enabling them to install software, manage user accounts, and configure security policies. Because of their extensive access rights, Admin or Root Accounts are prime targets for malicious attacks, making their management and security imperative. Non-Human identities, such as service accounts or application accounts, often require root or administrative access to function properly. Therefore, organizations must implement strong security practices, such as least privilege access, regular audits, and monitoring, to mitigate risks associated with these accounts. Properly managing Admin or Root Accounts involves ensuring they are only used for their intended purpose, rotating credentials regularly, and tracking their usage to prevent abuse.
Examples
- A cloud service provider account with full access to manage resources and configurations.
- An application service account used by a web application to interact with a database with administrative permissions.
Additional Information
- Admin or Root Accounts should be monitored and logged to detect any unauthorized access or anomalies.
- Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for these accounts can significantly enhance security.