Privileged access management (PAM)

Privileged access management (PAM) is a critical security strategy focused on protecting, controlling, and monitoring privileged accounts and access within an organization's IT environment, including cloud infrastructures. For cloud security engineers, PAM is essential in mitigating the risks associated with privileged credentials, which are often prime targets for cyberattacks due to the elevated access they provide.

PAM solutions offer a range of capabilities designed to secure privileged access, including secure credential storage, session monitoring and recording, just-in-time privileged access, and automated credential rotation. In cloud environments, PAM becomes particularly crucial due to the dynamic nature of resources and the potential for misconfigurations that could expose privileged access.

Key features of PAM in cloud contexts include cloud-native privileged account discovery, which helps identify and manage privileged accounts across multiple cloud platforms. PAM tools often integrate with cloud identity and access management (IAM) services to provide granular control over privileged operations. They may also offer features like privileged session management for cloud consoles and APIs, ensuring that privileged activities in cloud environments are monitored and audited. Additionally, many PAM solutions now support DevOps workflows, allowing for secure management of privileged access in CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure-as-code scenarios. By implementing robust PAM practices, cloud security engineers can significantly reduce the risk of privileged credential abuse, maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, and ensure the principle of least privilege is enforced across their cloud infrastructure.