Privilege Access Management (PAM) : Key Terms - IT Security Pundit
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Privilege Access Management (PAM) : Key Terms



Privileged Access Management (PAM) is a critical security framework that protects organizations from cyber threats by controlling, monitoring, and securing access to privileged accounts. These accounts, often held by administrators, IT personnel, and service accounts, have elevated permissions that can pose significant security risks if compromised.

Without proper PAM controls, attackers can exploit privileged credentials to gain unauthorized access, steal sensitive data, or disrupt business operations. Understanding key PAM concepts is essential for IT and security teams to prevent insider threats, privilege misuse, and cyberattacks.

Some essential PAM key terms include:

  • Privileged Accounts & Privileged Credentials – Special user accounts with elevated access to critical systems.
  • Just-In-Time (JIT) Access – Granting temporary privileged access only when needed.
  • Least Privilege Principle – Ensuring users and systems operate with the minimum necessary permissions.
  • Session Monitoring & Recording – Tracking and logging privileged user activities for security audits.
  • Password Vaulting – Securely storing and rotating privileged credentials to prevent unauthorized access.
  • Privileged Identity Management (PIM) – Managing and governing the lifecycle of privileged accounts.
  • Zero Trust Security Model – Verifying every user and device before granting access to sensitive resources.

By implementing Privileged Access Management (PAM) best practices, organizations can strengthen their security posture, reduce the risk of breaches, and comply with regulatory requirements. This guide will explore these key PAM terms in detail to help businesses safeguard their most critical assets. 

Here’s a list of key terms commonly used in Privileged Access Management (PAM):

1. Core Concepts of Privileged Access Management

  • Privileged Access – Special permissions granted to administrative or high-level users.
  • Privileged Account – A user account with elevated rights (e.g., system administrators, database admins).
  • Privileged Identity – A user, application, or service account with privileged access.
  • Least Privilege Principle – Providing users only the minimum access necessary to perform their tasks.
  • Zero Trust Security – A security model that requires continuous identity verification.
  • Privilege Escalation – Temporarily increasing access for specific administrative tasks.
  • Just-In-Time (JIT) Access – Granting privileged access only when needed and for a limited time.

2. Types of Privileged Accounts

  • Administrator Account – A user with full system control.
  • Superuser Account (Root Account) – The highest-level account with unrestricted access (e.g., Linux root, Windows Administrator).
  • Service Account – Non-human accounts used by applications to run automated tasks.
  • Application Account – An account used by applications to interact with databases or other software.
  • Shared Account – A privileged account used by multiple users, often discouraged due to security risks.

3. Privileged Access Security Controls

  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Adding an extra layer of security for privileged accounts.
  • Privileged Session Management (PSM) – Monitoring and controlling privileged account sessions.
  • Privileged Credential Management – Secure storage and rotation of privileged passwords.
  • Password Vault – A secure repository for storing and managing privileged credentials.
  • Session Recording – Capturing privileged session activity for auditing and compliance.
  • Access Approval Workflow – A process requiring managerial approval for privileged access requests.
  • Break-Glass Account – An emergency access account used when normal authentication fails.

4. PAM Technologies & Best Practices

  • Privileged Access Workstation (PAW) – A dedicated system for performing administrative tasks securely.
  • Endpoint Privilege Management (EPM) – Controlling and monitoring privileged access on user devices.
  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) – Assigning permissions based on predefined job roles.
  • Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) – Granting access based on attributes like department, location, or time.
  • Keystroke Logging – Recording keyboard inputs during privileged sessions for auditing.
  • Session Timeout – Automatically logging out inactive privileged sessions.
  • Access Certification – Periodic review and validation of privileged access rights.

5. Compliance & Regulations

  • Audit Logging – Keeping detailed records of privileged account activity.
  • Compliance Standards – Regulations requiring PAM, such as:
    • ISO 27001 – Information security best practices.
    • NIST 800-53 – U.S. government security standards.
    • PCI DSS – Security requirements for handling payment data.
    • HIPAA – Healthcare data protection laws.
  • Segregation of Duties (SoD) – Preventing conflicts by ensuring no single user has excessive control.