Definition
Privileged access management (PAM) is a cybersecurity strategy focused on controlling, monitoring, and securing accounts with elevated permissions. It ensures that only authorized individuals can access sensitive systems and data, and that their actions are auditable. In practice, PAM solutions often involve vaulting credentials, enforcing just-in-time access, and session recording. This is crucial for preventing unauthorized access, insider threats, and sophisticated cyberattacks that target administrative accounts. For instance, a PAM system might automatically rotate the password for a critical database administrator account after each use. Unlike general identity and access management, PAM specifically targets the highest levels of system privilege. Understanding PAM is essential for cybersecurity certifications like CompTIA Security+ and CISSP.