PEDM - Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management

 

What is Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management (PEDM)?

Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management (PEDM) solutions are a class of privileged access management (PAM) solutions that are designed to grant user access to privileged corporate environments on a granular basis.

In 2017, analysts at Gartner divided the PAM market into two primary solution groups: Privileged Account and Session Management (PASM) and PEDM. PEDM solutions aim to improve upon the limitations of PASM solutions, which offer temporary admin access on an “all-or-nothing” basis.

Granular privilege restrictions

Granular privilege restrictions refer to the precise control over user permissions within a system. Unlike broad access controls, granular privileges allow administrators to specify exactly what actions each user can perform. This fine-tuned approach is crucial for maintaining security.

One key differentiator between PEDM and PASM (Privileged Access Security Management) is this level of detail in permission settings. While both aim to manage privileged accounts, PEDM focuses on restricting access at a more detailed level. This ensures that users only have the least privilege necessary to perform their tasks.

By implementing granular privilege restrictions, organizations can significantly improve their security posture. Overprivileged users with standing privileges pose a risk because they have more access than needed, which could be exploited by malicious actors or result in accidental data breaches. With these detailed controls, you reduce such risks and maintain tighter security across your systems.

What problems does PEDM solve?

On occasion, a user may need temporary access to secure IT resources that they typically would not have access to. On these occasions, organizations need a way to grant and them immediately revoke that access, because even a temporary admin account is just as much at risk to being stolen or compromised as a full admin account would be.

PASM solutions typically grant temporary admin access via a password vault. The password vaulting system grants the user access to the required server and then logs all of their activity during that admin session for monitoring purposes. Once the session is done, the admin access is revoked.

The problem with PASM solutions is that they typically grant access on an “all-or-nothing” basis, so the temporary administrator account would be able to access everything on the target server, even the applications or scripts the user doesn't actually need or should be prohibited from accessing. If those temporary credentials were compromised, a bad actor would have unfettered access to the target server during the open session.

PEDM seeks to solve this challenge by eliminating the need for admin accounts and granting access to secure resources on a more granular basis.

PEDM prevents unintended privilege escalation

Unintended privilege escalation happens when users gain access to higher-level permissions than they should have. This can occur due to misconfigurations or errors in the system.

PEDM tools help prevent unintended privilege escalation by enforcing strict controls over who gets elevated rights and under what conditions. For example, if a user needs temporary admin access for a specific task, PEDM ensures that this elevation is time-based and purpose-specific.

Consider scenarios where an employee accidentally receives administrative privileges due to a role change or system glitch. Without PEDM, these elevated rights could lead to internal threats like unauthorized data access or changes in critical settings. By using PEDM, organizations can set clear boundaries and automate checks that minimize such risks.

By managing privileges effectively, you reduce the chances of accidental security breaches within your organization.

PEDM protects against privilege escalation attacks

Privilege escalation attacks occur when threat actors gain elevated access rights within a system. These attacks can lead to severe security breaches. PEDM defends against these threats by implementing specific controls that limit the ability of attackers to exploit vulnerabilities.

Common methods used in privilege escalation attacks include exploiting software bugs, misconfigurations, and social engineering tactics. By using PEDM, organizations can mitigate these risks through continuous monitoring and stringent access policies.

PEDM's robust defense mechanisms ensure that even if an attacker gains initial access, they cannot easily escalate their privileges further. This significantly reduces the potential damage from such attacks and strengthens overall cybersecurity posture.

A good PEDM system makes privilege management effortless

Effective PEDM systems are designed to be user-friendly. They simplify the complex task of managing privileges across an organization. Automation plays a key role here, reducing manual efforts and minimizing errors.

Policy management is another crucial aspect. It allows you to set rules that automatically govern who gets access to what resources and when. This makes it easier for administrators to enforce security policies consistently.

Robust PEDM systems also come with advanced management tools. These tools streamline the process of assigning, monitoring, and revoking privileges as needed. The result? Managing privileges becomes a seamless part of your daily operations.

By integrating automation, policy management, and advanced tools, a good PEDM system ensures that privilege management is not just effective but also effortless.

How PEDM works

PEDM solutions typically aim to eliminate admin accounts altogether, instead allowing sysadmins to operate with regular user accounts. Sysadmins are granted admin privileges only to the individual applications, scripts, or tasks that they need to manage. As a result, it’s easier for organizations to reduce or eliminate the number of accounts within their network that have any sort of admin access, which reduces the attack surface and the risk of external threats or human error.

Key components of PEDM

Endpoint Least Privilege Management

Endpoint least privilege management focuses on limiting user privileges on endpoints, such as laptops and desktops. This approach ensures that users and machines only have the access they need to perform their tasks.

By applying least privilege principles to endpoints, organizations can reduce the risk of unauthorized actions. For example, restricting local admin rights prevents users from installing unapproved software or making system changes that could introduce vulnerabilities.

Limiting endpoint privileges helps protect sensitive data and reduces the attack surface for potential threats. It also simplifies compliance with security policies by ensuring consistent control over endpoint activities and regular access reviews.

Server and Infrastructure Privilege Management

Server and infrastructure privilege management involves controlling access rights on servers and other critical IT resources. This ensures that only authorized users can perform specific actions, reducing the risk of unauthorized changes or data breaches.

Managing privileges on servers is crucial for maintaining a secure environment. It includes setting up role-based access controls (RBAC) to define what each user can do based on their job function. For example, an administrator might have full control over server settings, while a regular user has limited access.

Securing server and infrastructure privileges helps protect enterprise resources from internal threats and external attacks. By carefully managing who has access to sensitive systems, organizations can prevent misuse of privileged accounts and enhance overall security posture.

Benefits of PEDM

Implementing Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management (PEDM) offers several security benefits. One key advantage is the reduction of risks associated with unauthorized access. By controlling who can elevate privileges, PEDM ensures that only authorized users gain higher-level access when necessary.

PEDM also improves operational efficiency. Automated processes streamline privilege management tasks, reducing the workload on IT staff. This allows teams to focus on more strategic initiatives rather than manual oversight.

Compliance is another significant benefit provided by PEDM. Many regulations require strict control over privileged accounts and access levels. A robust PEDM system helps organizations meet these requirements by providing detailed logs and reports for audits.

Additional benefits include improved auditability and monitoring capabilities. With comprehensive reporting features, you can track all privilege elevation activities in real-time, making it easier to identify suspicious behavior quickly.

FAQ

What is the definition of Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management in the context of IT security?

Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management (PEDM) refers to the processes and technologies used to control and monitor elevated access and permissions within an IT environment. It ensures that users and systems only have the necessary privileges for specific tasks, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and potential security breaches.

What is the role of just-in-time access in enhancing compliance and mitigating risks associated with compromised admin accounts in PEDM?

Just-in-time access plays a crucial role in PEDM by providing temporary admin access as needed, rather than permanent elevated privileges. This approach minimizes the attack surface by reducing the number of accounts with constant high-level access, thus enhancing compliance with security policies and mitigating risks associated with potentially compromised admin accounts.

How does self-service elevation align with best practices in cybersec for managing admin accounts within PEDM frameworks?

Self-service elevation aligns with cybersecurity best practices by allowing users to request elevated privileges on an as-needed basis. This method is monitored and controlled through automated approval workflows, which ensures that elevation is granted according to predefined policies, reducing the likelihood of abuse or error and ensuring a traceable, compliant process for managing admin accounts.

How do IT tools enhance the security measures against hackers in Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management?

IT tools enhance security in PEDM by automating the enforcement of policies, monitoring privilege use, and detecting unusual activities that could indicate a breach. These tools provide essential capabilities like logging, real-time alerts, and detailed reports that help identify and respond to potential threats from hackers, ensuring that privilege elevation and delegation are securely managed.