Home/Glossary/Privileged Access Management (PAM)

Privileged Access Management (PAM)

A framework for securing and auditing accounts with elevated permissions, such as admins, service accounts, and break-glass users.

Identity & Access ManagementAlso called: "privileged identity management", "PIM"

PAM reduces the risk of high-impact compromise by governing how privileged identities are issued and monitored.

Core capabilities

  • Vaulting and rotating privileged credentials.
  • Session recording for administrative activity.
  • Just-in-time elevation with approval workflows.
  • Analytics that flag unusual privileged behavior.

Quick wins

  • Replace standing admin accounts with temporary elevation.
  • Monitor service accounts for unused or risky permissions.
  • Integrate PAM events into your SIEM for centralized visibility.