Secure administration of remote access to privileged systems through RPAM

Many organizations collaborate with users such as third-party vendors, partners, contractors, technicians, and other external IT staff to fulfill essential business functions that involve privileged remote access. This includes supporting the IT infrastructure, particularly addressing the specific needs of process control environments in critical infrastructures and settings.

To fulfill such essential business tasks, these privileged remote users often require comprehensive administrative access to the IT infrastructure, applications, and environments of cyber-physical systems (CPS). These users frequently utilize their own devices, which may not comply with the organization's security policies. Privileged users with unmanaged devices are prime targets for individuals looking to steal credentials and sensitive data. A malicious actor can compromise unmanaged devices to install malware and move laterally in search of privileged credentials to access other organizational resources.

Security breaches in IT environments operated by third parties, combined with poor RPAM practices, expose tightly monitored organizations to threats. These attacks are often caused by:

• Weak, default, or otherwise compromised login credentials

• Wide-ranging and deep access to the network

• Weak authentication mechanisms

• Malware-infected and unmanaged devices

To address these security concerns, interest in and acceptance of RPAM tools have significantly increased in recent years. Many vendors of Privileged Access Management (PAM) have already added or are in the process of adding specific features to meet such requirements (typically sold as separate products for an additional fee).

RPAM tools provide privileged users with remote access through session brokering, credential injection/vaulting, and strong authentication features, thereby mitigating many of the risks posed by unmanaged devices used by these users. The tools also allow for adaptation to zero-trust architectures, as there is no implicit trust in corporate networks or endpoints.

Secure Remote Access with a VPN-less Approach

Many VPN-based solutions (Virtual Private Network) cannot provide granular access to specific systems and applications on their own and take an all-or-nothing approach. This can open the door to malicious activities. They do not effectively bridge the gap between security and productivity. A typical VPN establishes a direct connection between a potentially untrusted administrator endpoint and critical systems and infrastructures. Therefore, additional controls are required, aiming to enable minimal usable access, with careful selection of which protocols are enabled and which access patterns are permitted.

RPAM tools provide controls for setting up, monitoring, and recording privileged remote sessions to specific targets under strict control.

These tools render VPNs unnecessary and provide more secure access to critical systems using proxy server technology. Some RPAM tools now also offer agentless, zero-trust network access (ZTNA) approaches to secure external privileged remote access and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) use cases, while some ZTNA tools also apply to this. This approach is primarily based on the concept of a web-based portal provided by the RPAM tool for user authentication and application access.

RPAM tools can be complemented by PASM (Privileged Account and Session Management) tools from PAM vendors for the storage and rotation of credentials for privileged remote accounts (see 5 Interlocking Strategies for a Successful PAM Implementation). RPAM tools can also be integrated into Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) or Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) to facilitate access to critical systems and serve as a "clean room" for administrator access. DaaS and VDI can be secure alternatives for providing direct database access from unmanaged devices for remote users.

Recommendations:

Utilize a VPN-less approach to facilitate scenarios for privileged remote access.

Leverage RPAM to control sessions using credential injection where possible. Use PASM's credential rotation features in cases where credentials need to be made accessible to privileged users remotely in emergency scenarios.

Use DaaS or VDI in conjunction with RPAM. DaaS or VDI can provide a secure alternative for scenarios involving legacy critical systems, such as Windows/Linux apps, older browsers, or certain runtimes.

The Benefits of RPAM

• Enables organizations to extend the security and governance functions of existing PAM tools to external privileged users.

• Allows organizations to pursue a VPN-less approach to minimize security risks during remote access.

• Facilitates the implementation of the principle of least privilege through session brokering approaches. This helps prevent lateral movements and reduces risks from malware-infected endpoints. Additionally, organizations can comply with access control regulations more easily.

• Helps organizations enable time-bound, session-specific Just-in-Time (JIT) access for privileged remote users.

• Improves identity lifecycle management approaches for privileged remote users, especially for short-term access, which requires a set of specific policies and procedures to govern the creation and assignment of permissions and their expiration. However, this function is only offered by a few vendors.

Ensuring Auditability by Recording and Auditing Activities of Privileged Users with Remote Access

Auditing privileged access is one of the most critical functions in the Identity and Access Management (IAM) team. Granting privileged access to third parties comes with risks. If this access is not properly governed and secured, the attack surface for malware attacks, data breaches, and losses, as well as system hacking, increases. Therefore, companies need robust controls to monitor, manage, and better audit logs to track privileged activities of remote users.

RPAM tools combined with the detailed session recording, searching, and auditing features of PASM can monitor privileged activities in audit logs and offer the ability to create audit reports when needed. Events—such as who accessed the account, when, as well as keystrokes, session input/output (I/O), and in some cases video recordings—are logged and capture the activities carried out during that session with the privileged account. Furthermore, integration with Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) tools helps provide comprehensive audit capabilities and integrates RPAM with SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tools. This aids in identifying risky activities for forensic analysis.

Recommendations:

• Implement RPAM tools to provide detailed visibility and enhance administrator productivity using controls for managing and monitoring privileged access.

• Utilize the session monitoring and session recording features of PASM tools in conjunction with RPAM for effective access management of external IT staff.

• Use RPAM to provide an efficient process for ephemeral and time-bound access for external privileged users by leveraging lifecycle management functions instead of relying on Active Directory and VPN provisioning.

VISULOX: The Right Choice for Remote Privileged Access Management

VISULOX is a leading solution in the field of Remote Privileged Access Management (PAM). Here are the key reasons why VISULOX is the optimal choice for managing privileged access remotely:

1. Secure Privilege Management
   VISULOX enables centralized and secure management of privileged access rights. Organizations can ensure that only authorized users gain access to critical systems, with access rights assigned granularly and on an as-needed basis.

2. Comprehensive Audit and Monitoring
   One of VISULOX's main strengths is its ability to monitor and log all sessions in real time. Every action is recorded traceably, facilitating later review and helping organizations analyze potential security incidents.

3. Remote Access without VPN
   VISULOX provides secure remote access without the use of a VPN. This reduces IT complexity and increases security by avoiding unnecessary access points. Access occurs directly through secure connections, giving organizations additional flexibility.

4. Easy Integration into Existing Systems
   The solution supports various operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and Unix and can be easily integrated into existing IT infrastructures. This allows for unified management through a central platform.

5. Real-Time Access Control
   Administrators have the capability to monitor ongoing sessions in real time and intervene as needed to immediately halt unauthorized actions. This real-time control enhances security and minimizes risks.

6. Compliance Requirement Fulfillment
   VISULOX assists organizations in meeting legal and regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, ISO standards). Through comprehensive auditing and access control, it ensures compliance with these mandates.

7. Efficient Management and Scalability
   With VISULOX, all privileged access can be managed through a centralized platform, increasing the efficiency of the IT department. Moreover, the solution is scalable, adapting to the growing demands of an organization.

Conclusion:
VISULOX offers a comprehensive, secure, and efficient solution for Remote Privileged Access Management. With features like real-time monitoring, remote access without VPN, and seamless integration into existing infrastructures, VISULOX helps organizations effectively protect sensitive data and systems while ensuring compliance.

Want to learn more about how VISULOX can help your organization manage privileged access safely and efficiently? Schedule a free demo now and experience the benefits of VISULOX live!