The Best Privileged Access Management (PAM) Tools

Privileged Access Management (PAM) is the practice of limiting access to sensitive systems and data to only authorized users who have a specific need to access that information

This is typically done by granting privileged access only to those users who have been vetted and approved, and by implementing controls such as password management, multi-factor authentication, and monitoring and auditing of privileged access activities. The goal of PAM is to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data and to minimize the potential for data breaches and other security incidents.

Privilege management falls within the broader scope of Identity and Access Management (IAM). Together, PAM and IAM help to provide granular control and visibility over all credentials and privileges. While IAM controls provide authentication of identities to ensure that the right user has the right access at the right time, PAM layers on more granular visibility, control, and auditing over privileged identities and activities. While privilege management encompasses many strategies, a central goal is the enforcement of the principle of least privilege, in which a user or process is given the minimum levels of access or permissions needed to perform the intended job functions.

Privileged access management (PAM) is important because it helps organizations protect sensitive systems and data from unauthorized access and potential breaches. PAM controls who has access to sensitive systems and data, and ensures that only authorized individuals can access the information. This helps to reduce the risk of data breaches, unauthorized access, and other security incidents. Many regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and SOX, mandate that organizations implement controls to protect sensitive information and systems. PAM can help organizations meet these requirements by limiting access to sensitive data and systems only to those who have a legitimate need to access them.

Choosing the right PAM solution for your business

With a variety of PAM solutions, choosing the right one for your business and budget can be challenging. You need to consider a variety of factors, some of which include:

1. Access controls Does the solution provide granular access controls, such as role-based access, and does it allow for the segregation of duties?
2. Authentication What types of authentication does the solution support, such as multi-factor authentication, and does it have built-in biometric options?
3. Auditing and reporting Does the solution provide detailed auditing and reporting capabilities, and can it integrate with existing security information and event management (SIEM) systems?
4. Scalability Can the solution scale to meet the needs of your organization as it grows?
5. Integration Does the solution integrate with other security and IT infrastructure, such as active directory, and can it be deployed in the cloud or on-premises environments?
6. Support Does the vendor offer good customer support, and are they able to provide guidance and best practices for the implementation and operation of the solution?

In this article, we’re going to review the 6 best PAM tools in the market. Hopefully, this will guide you in the process of choosing the right one for your business.

1. Delinea Secret Server

Figure 1.0 | Delinea Secret Server home page

Secret Server is a password management and privileged access management (PAM) software developed by Delinea. It is designed to help organizations securely store, manage, and share sensitive information, such as passwords, credentials, and other confidential data. The software features an encrypted database, role-based access controls, and audit trails to track who accesses and makes changes to the stored information. Additionally, Secret Server offers integration with other security tools and systems, such as Active Directory and SIEMs, to provide a comprehensive security solution for managing privileged access.

Delinea was named a Leader in the 2022 Gartner Magic Quadrant for PAM.

Key features and capabilities include:

• Secure password storage Secret Server uses encryption and other security measures to protect the stored passwords and credentials, ensuring that they are only accessible to authorized users.
• Role-based access control Secret Server allows administrators to set up different levels of access for different users, ensuring that only those who need it have access to sensitive information.
• Auditing and reporting Secret Server tracks all access to sensitive information and generates detailed audit reports, making it easy for organizations to comply with regulatory requirements and audit their own security.
• Integration with other security tools Secret Server can integrate with other security tools and systems, such as Active Directory, SIEMs, and firewalls, to provide a comprehensive security solution.
• Single sign-on Secret Server allows users to access multiple systems with a single set of credentials, reducing the need for users to remember multiple usernames and passwords.
• API access Secret Server allows users to access the system programmatically via an API, which enables integration with other tools and automated processes.

Secret Server supports both on-premise and cloud-hosted deployment models. On-Premises license offers a perpetual license that allows users to install and run Secret Server on their own servers. Cloud Hosted license allows users to access Secret Server through the cloud, with the software hosted and maintained by Delinea. A free 30-day trial is available on request.

2. CyberArk PAM

Figure 2.0 | CyberArk PAM home page

CyberArk Privileged Access Manager (PAM) is a software solution that helps organizations secure and manage privileged access to sensitive systems and data. It provides a comprehensive and centralized approach to managing and controlling privileged access, including the ability to secure, monitor, and rotate privileged credentials. CyberArk was named a Leader in the 2022 Gartner Magic Quadrant for PAM.

Some key features of CyberArk PAM include:

• Privileged Session Management Allows you to control and monitor privileged sessions, including the ability to record, playback, and analyze session activity.
• Credential Management Securely stores, manages and rotates privileged credentials, such as passwords, SSH keys, and tokens.
• Access Management Enforces role-based access controls and provides the ability to grant and revoke access to privileged accounts.
• Auditing and Compliance Provides detailed audit trails and reporting to help organizations comply with regulatory requirements.
• Integration Integrates with existing security infrastructure, including Active Directory, SIEMs, and other security tools, to provide a comprehensive security solution.
• Automation Automates the management of privileged access, reducing the risk of human error and increasing productivity.
• Scalability Scalable to accommodate the changing needs of an organization, making it a cost-effective solution for small and large businesses alike

CyberArk PAM supports on-premise, SaaS, and hybrid deployment models. The software is available under several licensing options including perpetual, subscription, capacity, and consumption-based licensing. A free demo is available on request.

3. ARCON PAM

Figure 3.0 | ARCON PAM home page

ARCON is a globally recognized Identity-As-A-Service provider with a wealth of experience in risk management and continuous risk assessment tools. ARCON PAM is a software solution that helps organizations secure and manage privileged access to sensitive systems and data. It provides a comprehensive and centralized approach to managing and controlling privileged access, including the ability to secure, monitor, and rotate privileged credentials. ARCON was named a Leader in the 2022 Gartner Magic Quadrant for PAM.

ARCON PAM works by providing a centralized and secure platform for managing and controlling privileged access to sensitive systems and data. It continuously monitors and manages privileged access, alerting administrators to any suspicious activity or policy violations. This allows organizations to secure their privileged access and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data.

ARCON PAM supports on-premise, SaaS, and hybrid deployment models. The licensing for ARCON PAM is typically based on the number of users or devices that need access to the protected systems and data. Some vendors also offer different levels of functionality based on the license type, such as basic or advanced features.

4. WALLIX Bastion

Figure 4.0 | How WALLIX Bastion works

WALLIX is a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions. WALLIX Bastion is an award-winning PAM solution that delivers robust security and oversight overprivileged access to critical IT infrastructure. WALLIX was named a Leader in the 2022 Gartner Magic Quadrant for PAM. The Bastion solution helps organizations secure and manage privileged access to sensitive systems and data by providing secure remote access, password management, and session recording capabilities.

Key features and capabilities include:

• Password Management Automates the management of privileged passwords, including rotation and expiration, to reduce the risk of breaches.
• Session Recording Records all privileged sessions, providing a complete audit trail of all actions taken.
• Role-Based Access Control Enforces role-based access control to ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive systems and data.
• User Activity Monitoring Monitors and records user activity to detect and prevent malicious activity
• Compliance Reporting Generates compliance reports to demonstrate compliance with industry regulations, such as SOX, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS.
• Integration Integrates with other security solutions, such as SIEM, to provide a comprehensive security posture.

Through your digital transformation, WALLIX Bastion can be seamlessly deployed from on-premise to private and public cloud infrastructures. WALLIX Bastion can be licensed on a perpetual or subscription basis, and pricing is typically based on the number of users or devices that need access to the protected systems and data. A free trial is available on request.

5. BeyondTrust

Figure 5.0 | BeyondTrust PAM home page

BeyondTrust is a cybersecurity company that provides a range of solutions for privileged access management (PAM), vulnerability management, and threat detection. BeyondTrust is recognized as a market leader in PAM solutions. It was named a Leader in the 2022 Gartner Magic Quadrant for PAM. BeyondTrust PAM solutions aim to secure and manage access to privileged credentials, such as those used by IT administrators, across the enterprise. It also provides privileged management for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Unix systems and servers. It can be used to secure access to servers, databases, applications, and cloud environments, with features such as password management, session recording, and threat detection.

They offer features such as password management, session recording, and threat detection, to help organizations secure privileged access and reduce the risk of data breaches. BeyondTrust also provides Vulnerability management solutions that help organizations to identify and prioritize vulnerabilities across their IT infrastructure, and then take action to remediate them before they can be exploited by attackers. BeyondTrust also offers threat detection solutions that enable organizations to detect and respond to advanced threats and attacks on their networks. This can include things like endpoint detection and response (EDR), incident response, and security analytics. The goal of BeyondTrust is to help organizations improve their overall security posture and comply with regulatory requirements.

BeyondTrust offers a flexible deployment model which includes an on-premises, cloud, hybrid, and managed services model. BeyondTrust offers several price plans for its privileged access management (PAM) solutions, and the pricing can vary depending on the specific solution, the deployment model, and the licensing option chosen. The pricing for PAM solutions is generally based on the number of users, the number of sessions, and the number of assets (e.g. servers, applications) that need to be protected. Organizations can also choose to add additional features and modules to their PAM solution, which can affect the overall cost. A free trial of Privilege Management for Windows and Mac is available on request.

6. One Identity

Figure 6.0 | One Identity PAM home page

One Identity delivers unified identity security solutions that help customers strengthen their overall cybersecurity posture. The company is recognized as a Leader in the 2022 Gartner Magic Quadrant for PAM. One Identity PAM solution mitigates security risks by allowing you to secure, control, monitor, analyze, and govern privileged access across multiple environments and platforms. The solution is available as a SaaS or traditional on-premises offering.

One Identity PAM solution is made up of the following products:

• Privileged session management Control, monitor, and record privileged sessions of administrators, remote vendors, and other high-risk users.
• Privileged password vault Automate, control, and secure the process of granting privileged credentials with role-based access management and automated workflows.
• Privileged threat analytics Analyze privileged session recordings to identify your high-risk privileged users.
• Least privileged access Prevent security breaches by providing just the right amount of access to administrators so that they can perform their duties.
• UNIX identity consolidation Extend the unified authentication and authorization of Active Directory to UNIX, Linux, and Mac systems.
• Privileged access governance Integrate Identity Manager with Safeguard to extend its governance capabilities.

One Identity PAM includes features such as multi-factor authentication, session management, and privilege escalation, which help to mitigate the risks associated with privileged access. The solutions also provide detailed reporting and auditing capabilities to help organizations comply with various regulatory requirements. A free trial is available on request.

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