What is Privileged Access Management (PAM)?

‍

Privileged Access Management (PAM) is a cybersecurity practice that secures accounts with elevated access to sensitive systems. It controls and monitors privileged identities to prevent unauthorized access, misuse, or common causes of data breaches.

PAM focuses on users like system admins, database owners, and finance roles with high-level system permissions. These accounts bypass normal restrictions and require strict oversight to reduce risk.

In SaaS environments, PAM security protects apps like CRM, HCM, and cloud storage from internal misuse. It enforces least privilege policies and safeguards backend operations.

Common PAM solutions include credential vaults, session recording, time-bound access, and approval workflows. These strengthen security posture and improve compliance with data protection standards.

‍

Why Privileged Access Management (PAM) Matters

Privileged Access Management (PAM) is essential for protecting sensitive systems, data, and high-risk user accounts. It limits privileged access to reduce the risk of breaches, insider threats, and unauthorized system changes.

By enforcing least privilege, PAM ensures users only access what they need—no more, no less. It prevents misuse of credentials and stops attackers from escalating access within the network.

PAM logs every privileged session, giving full visibility into critical actions like configuration updates or admin overrides. This helps detect suspicious behavior and supports faster threat response.

Privileged access management also supports compliance with SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and other standards. Auditors can easily verify user activity, access approvals, and enforcement of internal policies.

‍

Where Privileged Access Management (PAM) Is Used

Privileged Access Management (PAM) is used across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid IT environments to secure access. It controls and monitors privileged accounts, those with elevated permissions that pose higher security risks.

Here’s a detailed breakdown:

IT Teams

IT teams use PAM to manage and monitor privileged credentials across infrastructure, system dashboards, and backend services. It prevents unauthorized changes to core configurations, logs, and network controls.

‍Finance Departments

Finance departments rely on Privileged Access Management to secure high-impact tools. It ensures only approved users can access or modify sensitive financial data.

DevOps

DevOps teams implement PAM to control privileged access across CI/CD pipelines, cloud deployments, and production environments. It helps prevent errors, misuse, and unauthorized code changes in live systems.

Security and Compliance

Security and compliance teams use Privileged Access Management best practices to track privileged behavior. This supports policy enforcement and ensures separation of duties.

‍

Privileged Access Management (PAM) Benefits

Privileged Access Management (PAM) enhances security by securing privileged credentials and enforcing strict access controls. It reduces the risk of data breaches, insider threats, and unauthorized system changes.

Here’s why do you need privileged access management software:

Prevents Unauthorized Access

PAM enforces strict access rules for admin accounts tied to critical SaaS and infrastructure platforms. It blocks unauthorized users from making system-wide changes or accessing sensitive data.

Supports Least Privilege

Privileged Access Management ensures access is granted only when needed and removed after the task is complete. This reduces exposure and limits access creep in dynamic cloud environments.

Improves Visibility and Auditability

Privileged Access Management logs every privileged session, making it easier to track activity across systems. Auditors can review access history for proof of control enforcement.

Reduces Insider Threats

PAM limits what privileged users can do, using session timeouts, command filters, and approval workflows. This prevents accidental or malicious misuse of elevated permissions.

Automates Access Reviews

Scheduled reviews help validate whether privileged users still need access, enabling prompt removal of outdated rights. This keeps access current and aligned with job roles.

‍

Privileged Access Management (PAM) Best Practices & Examples

Effective PAM starts with enforcing the principle of least privilege, granting users only the access they need. This reduces exposure to misuse, cloud security threats, and accidental damage.

Best practices for privilege access management:

Use Time-Limited Access Grants

Apply just-in-time access so privileges are granted only for specific tasks, then automatically revoked. This reduces standing access and supports zero trust enforcement.

Vault Privileged Credentials

Store privileged credentials in a secure vault with rotation, encryption, and access logging enabled. Only authorized users can retrieve credentials through verified workflows.

Enable Session Recording

Record all privileged sessions to ensure accountability and create a forensic trail of user activity. Review recordings during audits or incident investigations.

Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Always require MFA for privileged accounts to add a second identity check before critical actions. This blocks most credential-based attacks.

‍

Privileged Access Management (PAM) Conclusion

Privileged Access Management (PAM) reduces risk by securing admin access control and compliance across critical SaaS platforms. It enforces policy-based controls, limits privilege sprawl, and ensures every action is traceable.

PAM protects sensitive data from misuse by automating time-bound access, credential vaulting, and session recording. These safeguards support faster audits, incident response, and regulatory compliance.

It enables enterprises to scale securely by aligning access decisions with user roles, task urgency, and needs. As SaaS usage grows, PAM becomes a foundation for resilient, secure, and accountable operations.

‍

Privileged Access Management (PAM) CTA

Request a demo to see how CloudEagle.ai helps enterprises manage privileged accounts. 

‍

Privileged Access Management (PAM) FAQs

What do you mean by privileged access management?

Privileged Access Management (PAM) refers to securing and controlling accounts with elevated access to critical systems and applications. It ensures such access is used only when necessary and always monitored.

What is the difference between IAM and PAM?

Identity and Access Management (IAM) manages user identity and general access. Privileged Access Management (PAM) focuses on accounts with elevated access to sensitive systems and enforces tighter controls.

What is an example of a PAM?

An example of PAM is restricting server admin access through time-bound credentials stored in a vault, then logging all session activity for audit purposes.

What are the types of privileged access?

Privileged access includes system administrator roles, root accounts, database admins, and SaaS super admin rights. These roles need higher-level controls and monitoring.

What is the role of PAM?

The role of Privileged Access Management (PAM) is to secure, control, and monitor accounts that can cause major impact. It protects against misuse and ensures accountability.

‍