Privileged Access Management (PAM)
Learn about privileged access management strategies, tools, and audit procedures that CISA candidates need to understand for securing administrative accounts.
What Is Privileged Access?
Privileged access refers to elevated permissions that allow users to perform administrative functions such as configuring systems, managing user accounts, accessing sensitive data, and modifying security settings. For CISA candidates, understanding Privileged Access Management (PAM) is critical because privileged accounts are high-value targets for attackers and a primary focus of IS audits. Compromised privileged credentials can lead to complete system compromise, data breaches, and regulatory violations.
Privileged accounts include local and domain administrator accounts, service accounts, database administrator accounts, root accounts on Unix/Linux systems, and emergency or break-glass accounts. Each type requires specific controls and monitoring.
PAM Controls and Best Practices
Account Discovery and Inventory
The first step in PAM is discovering and inventorying all privileged accounts across the environment. Many organizations are unaware of the full extent of their privileged accounts, including orphaned accounts, default accounts, and embedded credentials in scripts or applications. Auditors should verify that a complete inventory exists and is regularly updated.
Credential Vaulting
PAM solutions store privileged credentials in encrypted vaults, eliminating the need for users to know actual passwords. Key features include:
- Automated password rotation: Changing privileged passwords on a scheduled basis or after each use
- Check-out/check-in workflows: Requiring formal requests and approvals before accessing privileged credentials
- Session recording: Capturing all activity performed during privileged sessions for review and forensic purposes
- Just-in-time access: Granting privileged access only when needed and automatically revoking it after a defined period
Session Monitoring and Recording
Monitoring privileged sessions provides accountability and enables detection of unauthorized or suspicious activity. Effective session monitoring includes real-time observation capabilities, keystroke logging, screen recording, command filtering (blocking dangerous commands), and alerting on high-risk activities. Auditors should verify that session recordings are stored securely, retained according to policy, and reviewed when incidents are suspected.
Service Account Management
Service accounts present unique challenges because they often have extensive privileges, run unattended, and have passwords that rarely change. Controls for service accounts include:
- Documenting the purpose and owner of each service account
- Implementing automated credential rotation without service disruption
- Restricting interactive login capabilities for service accounts
- Monitoring service account activity for anomalies
- Applying the principle of least privilege to service account permissions
Audit Procedures for PAM
IS auditors evaluating PAM should review the privileged account inventory for completeness, test credential rotation frequency and effectiveness, evaluate approval workflows for privileged access requests, assess the coverage and quality of session monitoring, verify that emergency (break-glass) access procedures include appropriate controls and review processes, and confirm that privileged access is included in periodic access reviews. Auditors should also test whether former administrators retain any privileged access and whether shared administrative accounts have been eliminated or properly controlled.