A security measure that manages and controls access rights for non-human identities to critical resources.
Description
Privileged Access Management (PAM) refers to the processes and tools used to control, monitor, and secure accounts with elevated access rights within an organization. In the context of Non-Human Identity Management, PAM specifically addresses the management of access privileges for automated systems, applications, and service accounts that do not belong to a human user. These non-human identities can include system accounts, APIs, and other integrations that require elevated permissions to perform tasks such as data processing, application deployment, and system maintenance. Effective PAM solutions help mitigate the risks associated with these powerful accounts by enforcing the principle of least privilege, ensuring that access is granted only when necessary and monitored for unusual activity. This is critical in preventing unauthorized access and potential data breaches, as compromised non-human accounts can lead to significant vulnerabilities. Organizations implement PAM strategies through a combination of password management, session recording, and access controls, ensuring that all privileged actions are logged and auditable.
Examples
- Automated deployment scripts that require access to production servers.
- Service accounts used by applications to access databases securely.
Additional Information
- PAM solutions often include features like password vaulting and session management.
- Implementing PAM is a key requirement for compliance with regulations such as GDPR and PCI-DSS.