The concept of privileged access management (PAM) has evolved over time, starting with the idea of role-based access control (RBAC) where permissions are assigned based on job roles. However, organizations soon realized that defining concrete roles for individuals was challenging due to the flexible and evolving nature of businesses. This led to the need for automating the access request process and empowering employees to self-serve and elevate their access based on their needs.
The motivation behind self-service access is to reduce barriers and enable employees to obtain the access they require without going through lengthy approval processes. By allowing employees to acquire access when they need it, security teams can feel more comfortable removing unnecessary access privileges. However, it's important to note that RBAC still has its place, especially for less sensitive roles or when access can be defined with relative certainty.
Just-in-time access, particularly for sensitive resources, has emerged as a strong use case for PAM. Defining who needs access and when they need it can be challenging and time-consuming. Instead of relying on predefined roles, organizations can implement change management policies that ensure nobody has access to sensitive resources until it's explicitly required. The key is to create a flexible and automated change management process that grants access when needed, providing structure, rigidity, and auditability.
Governance is often seen as the end goal of PAM, but it should be considered a byproduct of a well-designed process. If the access request process is efficient and effective, governance naturally falls into place. By focusing on improving the process, organizations can address concerns related to delays in granting access and avoid the temptation to over-privilege individuals to expedite access.
Implementing self-service effectively requires robust processes and governance. This involves defining clear policies and attributes that guide access decisions and ensuring they are well-documented and understood. The goal is to strike a balance between granting access efficiently and maintaining security and control. It's crucial to have strong change management policies and automated workflows that enable employees to request access easily while still adhering to security guidelines.
In discussions with customers and professionals in the PAM space, the conversation often revolves around finding alternatives to RBAC. While RBAC has its merits, it is not always sufficient to address the complexity and dynamic nature of access requirements. Organizations need to consider policy-based or attribute-based approaches to complement RBAC. This shift requires a mindset change and a willingness to explore different solutions that prioritize the principle of least privilege and adapt to evolving access needs.
In summary, PAM has evolved from RBAC to include self-service and just-in-time access. By automating change management processes and implementing flexible policies, organizations can strike a balance between granting access efficiently and maintaining security. Effective self-service requires good governance, clear policies, and automated workflows. Moving beyond traditional RBAC to consider alternative approaches can lead to more effective access management and better alignment with business needs.
