Overview of Privileged Access Management

Privileged Access Management (PAM) involves controlling, monitoring, and securing access to privileged accounts within an organization's IT infrastructure. These accounts possess elevated permissions and access rights, enabling tasks such as configuring systems, managing users, and accessing sensitive data. Protecting these accounts is essential to prevent unauthorized access and potential security breaches.

EmpowerID’s Approach to PAM

EmpowerID offers a PAM solution designed for multi-cloud and hybrid environments. The solution is based on the Zero Standing Privilege (ZSP) principle, ensuring that privileged access is granted only when necessary to authorized identities and for a specific duration. EmpowerID provides two deployment models for PAM:

• Advanced PAM

• Basic PAM

Advanced PAM

The Advanced PAM model features an agentless and vaultless architecture, simplifying deployment and management while providing robust protection across cloud and on-premises environments. This model leverages EmpowerID's microservices and Kubernetes-based framework to achieve scalability and flexibility.

A key aspect of Advanced PAM is its integration with Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) and Access Management (AM) systems. This integration enables controlled privilege escalation, delegation management, and task-based automation. Additionally, Advanced PAM extends its capabilities to include Cloud Infrastructure Entitlements Management (CIEM), focusing on managing and securing access entitlements within cloud environments.

Zero Standing Privilege (ZSP)

Advanced PAM implements the ZSP principle by granting privileged access only when required. This approach reduces the risks associated with permanent privileged accounts, minimizing the attack surface and potential for misuse.

Agentless and Vaultless Architecture

Advanced PAM streamlines deployment and reduces management overhead by eliminating the need to install agents on target systems or maintain credential vaults. This simplifies the infrastructure and accelerates implementation timelines.

Microservices and Kubernetes Framework

A microservices architecture deployed via Kubernetes allows Advanced PAM to be highly scalable and resilient. This framework adapts to changing workloads and organizational needs, supporting horizontal and vertical scaling.

Integration with IGA and AM Systems

Advanced PAM supports interoperability with major Identity Governance and Administration and Access Management systems, including platforms like Microsoft Azure. This integration enables organizations to leverage existing identity infrastructures and policies, ensuring consistency across systems.

Controlled Privilege Escalation and Delegation Management

The solution facilitates temporary privilege elevation and task delegation based on predefined policies. Administrators can specify who can request elevated access, under what conditions, and for how long, ensuring that users have appropriate access when needed without compromising security.

Cloud Infrastructure Entitlements Management (CIEM)

Advanced PAM extends to include CIEM capabilities, focusing on managing and securing access entitlements in cloud environments. This feature helps organizations maintain compliance and reduce risk by providing visibility and control over cloud permissions and entitlements.

Basic PAM

The Basic PAM model offers a traditional, vault-based solution for managing privileged credentials. It includes a centralized vault where credentials are securely stored and managed. Access to these credentials is governed by granular policies that define who can request access, the conditions for access, and the duration. Password rotation can be automated upon check-in or according to a defined schedule.

Secure Credential Vault

Basic PAM provides a central repository for storing privileged credentials with robust security controls. The vault ensures that sensitive credentials are protected using encryption and strict access controls to prevent unauthorized access.

Granular Access Policies

Administrators can define detailed access policies specifying which users can access certain credentials and under what conditions. Policies may include approval workflows, time-based restrictions, and usage limitations to enforce security best practices.

Automated Password Management

The solution enhances security by automating password rotation for privileged accounts. Passwords can be configured to rotate upon check-in or on a scheduled basis, reducing the risk of compromised credentials due to outdated or exposed passwords.

EmpowerID’s Integrated Identity Management Solution

EmpowerID's PAM offerings are part of a broader platform that integrates Privileged Access Management (PAM), Identity Governance and Administration (IGA), and Access Management (AM) functionalities. This integrated approach provides a unified system for managing identities and access across the organization's IT environment.

By utilizing fine-grained IGA connectors and supporting integration with major vendors, EmpowerID addresses a wide range of identity and access management requirements. Combining PAM, IGA, and AM into a single platform aims to reduce complexity, enhance security, and improve operational efficiency.

Unified Identity Management

The integrated platform offers a single interface for managing identities, credentials, and access control policies. This unification simplifies administrative tasks and reduces the learning curve associated with managing multiple systems.

Consistent Security Controls

By enforcing consistent policies and controls across all identity-related functions, the platform helps reduce security gaps and ensures that security measures are uniformly applied throughout the organization.

Scalability and Adaptability

The platform supports organizational growth and adapts to changing technological landscapes, including multi-cloud and hybrid environments. Its modular architecture allows organizations to scale services according to their evolving needs.

Compliance and Auditing Capabilities

EmpowerID's integrated solution facilitates adherence to regulatory requirements by providing comprehensive auditing, reporting, and policy enforcement tools. Administrators can generate detailed reports and monitor compliance with internal policies and external regulations.