IAM vs. PAM: The Key to Secure Access Management in Your Company

In times when business growth largely depends on collaboration with external partners, effective and secure user access management becomes absolutely crucial. Unintentional human error, overly broad access to resources, or inadequate security measures can open the door to cybercriminals, with potentially catastrophic consequences for any company.

Imagine a situation where a newly hired employee in the finance department is unknowingly granted excessive permissions, giving them access to the company's critical data. At some point, their account is taken over by cybercriminals, who, thanks to these excessive permissions, gain access to sensitive financial information. Such a breach can lead to data leaks, loss of reputation, and enormous costs associated with regaining control over the system and repairing the damage.

This is why protecting an organization's assets is more than just managing user access. It also involves controlling, monitoring, and adapting access to the changing threat landscape. Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Privileged Access Management (PAM) play a key role in this process.

Identity and Access Management (IAM)

IAM is a system that manages digital identities within a company, ensuring that each user has access only to the resources necessary for their role. Imagine a system that automatically grants a new employee access to the appropriate tools based on their role, and when they leave the company, the same system automatically revokes all their permissions. Such solutions minimize the risk of errors and make management more efficient.

Privileged Access Management (PAM)

PAM, on the other hand, focuses on managing accounts that have privileged access to the most critical systems and data. An example might be an IT administrator's account, which provides full access to the company's servers. PAM ensures that such accounts are closely monitored, and access is limited only to when it is absolutely necessary. This way, even if someone takes control of such an account, the extent of the damage will be limited.

The Synergy of IAM and PAM

Integrating IAM and PAM allows for the creation of a cohesive and effective approach to access management. This not only streamlines internal processes but also significantly increases the level of security across the organization. Think of it as a double layer of protection—IAM handles day-to-day access management, while PAM focuses on controlling the most sensitive areas.

Why Is This Important?

• Minimizing Risk – Automation and precise access management reduce the risk of errors that could lead to security breaches.
• Protecting Sensitive Data – PAM ensures that privileged accounts are used only in justified cases, which limits the possibility of misuse.
• Compliance with Regulations – Managing access in line with legal and industry regulations becomes easier through monitoring and auditing user activities.
• Increasing Efficiency – Automatically granting and revoking permissions makes access management less time-consuming and more transparent.

Conclusion

The example of an employee’s account being taken over due to excessive permissions illustrates how critical proper access and identity management is in an organization. Understanding the differences and interdependencies between IAM and PAM is key to creating a solid security strategy for your company. By integrating them, you will not only increase security but also optimize access management, ensuring the protection of sensitive data and compliance with regulations.

If you want to learn more details about the application of IAM and PAM, read our latest blog post, where you will find, among other things:

• An in-depth discussion of IAM and PAM functionalities.
• Technologies and tools that support identity and access management.
• Examples of IAM and PAM applications in different environments, such as cloud, hybrid, and IoT.
• Best practices for implementation and strategies for managing risk and regulatory compliance.
• Modern PAM features, such as AI, behavior analysis, and innovative methods for securing data.

Read the full article on the Fudo Security blog

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