Just-in-Time approaches in Privileged Access Management (PAM)

Just-in-Time Approaches in Privileged Access Management (PAM)

In an era where cyber threats are becoming increasingly complex, traditional approaches in Privileged Access Management (PAM) are often no longer sufficient to protect sensitive systems and data from unauthorized access. A particularly critical vulnerability is that users often have privileged access rights that remain permanently active, even when not needed.

These "always available" rights pose a significant risk as they provide attackers or careless users with a broad attack surface. The Just-in-Time (JIT) approach in PAM offers an effective solution by reducing access to privileged accounts to the absolute minimum.

The Shift from "Always-On" to Just-in-Time Access

Traditional PAM tools often focus on storing privileged accounts in a vault and recording sessions. While these methods provide protection, they cannot prevent users from having too much access on a broad scale.

The JIT approach aims to grant access only when it is actually needed. This greatly reduces the time window in which an account is available for potential misuse. This shift from an "Always-On" model to a "Just-in-Time" model is crucial to enhancing security and minimizing the risk of cyber attacks.

By the year 2025, it is expected that 75% of insurers will require the use of JIT-PAM principles as a prerequisite for insurance coverage.

Implementation of Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) as a Goal

While the JIT approach already represents a significant improvement, the ultimate goal is the implementation of Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP). With ZSP, privileged rights exist only at the moment they are needed and are immediately revoked afterward. This approach further minimizes risk by ensuring that even compromised accounts do not possess permanent rights that could be exploited by attackers.

However, the transition to ZSP requires a thorough review and restructuring of existing PAM strategies. Companies must carefully analyze which access rights are truly necessary and how these can be managed dynamically. This also involves the introduction of new processes and technologies that enable access rights to be granted and revoked quickly and securely.

The Challenges of Implementing JIT and ZSP

The implementation of JIT and ZSP approaches is not without challenges. One of the biggest obstacles is the need to adapt existing workflows and IT infrastructures. Many privileged accounts, such as root accounts in Unix/Linux systems or administrator accounts in Windows environments, are deeply embedded in the system architecture and cannot simply be disabled or removed.

In such cases, alternative security measures must be taken to ensure that these accounts can only be used under strictly controlled conditions.

Another important aspect is the collaboration between different departments, especially between IT security and operations teams. These teams must jointly develop strategies to ensure that the implementation of JIT and ZSP approaches does not impair operational efficiency. This requires careful planning and the involvement of all relevant stakeholders.

Best Practices for Introducing JIT-PAM

For a successful introduction of JIT-PAM, companies should consider the following best practices:

• Incremental Implementation: Start with less critical accounts and gradually extend the JIT approach to more sensitive areas. This allows for experience gathering and early identification of potential obstacles.

• Tight Focus on Privilege Management: Analyze exactly which privileges are actually needed and restrict access as much as possible. Use JIT to grant this access only temporarily.

• Integration of Monitoring and Control Mechanisms: Implement continuous monitoring and session management to ensure that all activities carried out with privileged accounts are traceable and controllable.

• Training and Awareness: Ensure that all affected employees are informed about the new processes and their significance. Clear communication helps create acceptance and overcome potential resistance.