Key Differences Between PIM and PAM in Cybersecurity

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2025-02-17

In the realm of cybersecurity, Privileged Identity Management (PIM) and Privileged Access Management (PAM) play crucial roles in securing sensitive systems. Although they are related, they focus on different aspects of managing privileged accounts. Here’s a detailed comparison:

1. What They Mean:

  • PIM (Privileged Identity Management):
    PIM is designed to manage and control privileged user identities. It focuses on assigning, monitoring, and governing privileged roles within an organization, ensuring that only authorized individuals have elevated permissions.
  • PAM (Privileged Access Management):
    PAM focuses on securing and controlling access to critical systems and sensitive data. It manages how privileged accounts interact with systems, enforces security policies, and tracks user activities to prevent unauthorized access.

2. Area of Focus:

  • PIM:
    Primarily deals with managing who holds privileged roles and governs the lifecycle of these identities, including role assignment and removal.
  • PAM:
    Concentrates on how privileged users access systems, controlling and monitoring their activities within IT environments.

3. Main Features:

  • PIM:
  • Manages role-based access permissions
  • Handles the creation and revocation of privileged identities
  • Provides temporary (Just-in-Time) access for elevated roles
  • Incorporates approval workflows for granting privileged access
  • PAM:
  • Secure credential storage (password vaults)
  • Monitors and records privileged sessions
  • Manages privileged sessions in real time
  • Enforces the principle of least privilege to minimize security risks

4. Popular Tools:

  • PIM Solutions:
  • Microsoft Azure AD Privileged Identity Management
  • Oracle Identity Governance
  • PAM Solutions:
  • CyberArk
  • Delinea (formerly Thycotic) Secret Server
  • BeyondTrust
  • One Identity

5. Practical Applications:

  • PIM:
  • Assigning temporary administrative privileges
  • Managing privileged roles in cloud platforms
  • PAM:
  • Protecting sensitive credentials with secure vaults
  • Tracking administrative sessions for security auditing
  • Applying least privilege policies to limit unnecessary access

6. The Key Distinction:

  • PIM = Manages WHO has privileged identities.
  • PAM = Controls HOW privileged access is used.

What Undercode Say

Privileged Identity Management (PIM) and Privileged Access Management (PAM) are two critical pillars in cybersecurity, each addressing distinct but complementary aspects of securing privileged accounts. PIM ensures that only authorized individuals hold privileged roles, while PAM focuses on how these roles are utilized within systems. Together, they form a robust framework for minimizing security risks associated with elevated permissions.

In practical terms, PIM tools like Microsoft Azure AD Privileged Identity Management and Oracle Identity Governance help organizations manage role assignments and enforce governance policies. On the other hand, PAM solutions such as CyberArk and Delinea Secret Server provide secure credential storage, session monitoring, and real-time access control.

For cybersecurity professionals, mastering these tools and concepts is essential. Here are some practical commands and codes to enhance your understanding:

  • Linux Commands for Privileged Access Monitoring:
  • Use `sudo -l` to list allowed and forbidden commands for the current user.
  • Monitor active sessions with `who` or w.
  • Audit privileged commands with `auditd` by configuring rules in /etc/audit/audit.rules.

  • Windows Commands for Privileged Identity Management:

  • Use `net user` to manage user accounts and permissions.
  • Audit privileged access with `gpresult /r` to view Resultant Set of Policies (RSoP).

  • Enable Windows Event Logging to track privileged activities:

    wevtutil sl Security /e:true

  • Cloud Security (Azure):

  • Use Azure CLI to manage PIM roles:
    az role assignment list --assignee <user-principal-name>
  • Enable Just-In-Time access with Azure PIM:
    az role assignment create --assignee <user-principal-name> --role <role-name> --start-time <timestamp> --end-time <timestamp>

For further reading, explore the official documentation of tools like CyberArk and Microsoft Azure PIM.

In conclusion, understanding the nuances between PIM and PAM is vital for implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. By leveraging the right tools and adhering to best practices, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches. Always remember, cybersecurity is not just about technology; it’s about creating a culture of vigilance and continuous improvement.

References:

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