Securing corporate IT infrastructures is becoming more complex and critical every day. Two key concepts stand out in this context: IAM (Identity and Access Management) and PAM (Privileged Access Management). Both are essential for security, but they are often confused with one another. In this blog, we will explain what IAM and PAM are, how they differ, and the advantages they provide to businesses.
What is IAM?
Identity and Access Management (IAM) is a system designed to manage the identities of employees, partners, and customers, and to provide them with the appropriate access rights. When an employee logs into the company’s system, IAM controls which applications they can access and which resources they can use. IAM also enhances security through features like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and single sign-on (SSO), ensuring that users can only access the data they are authorized to see.
Key benefits:
Security: It maximizes security with multi-factor authentication (MFA) and adaptive access control.
Efficiency: It allows access to multiple systems with a single user identity (SSO), saving time.
User Management: User lifecycle management ensures quick onboarding of new employees and complete deactivation of access for departing employees.
What is PAM?
Privileged Access Management (PAM), on the other hand, can be considered a specialized subset of IAM. PAM focuses on managing privileged users (IT admins, system administrators, users with access to critical data) by providing stricter controls and oversight. These users have broad access to critical systems and data, so managing their access requires a higher level of scrutiny.
Key benefits:
Protection of Critical Data: It limits privileged account access and prevents misuse of these accounts.
Audit and Traceability: PAM provides real-time answers to questions like who accessed critical data, when, and how, making it easier to detect security breaches.
Risk Reduction: It dynamically controls the access levels of privileged users to minimize potential risks.
The Difference Between IAM and PAM
While IAM focuses on managing the identities and access of all users (employees, partners, customers), PAM specifically targets privileged users. IAM offers a broad framework for security, while PAM focuses on the narrower scope of controlling and auditing privileged accounts.
Common Misconceptions:
"PAM is just a part of IAM, not something separate."
While PAM may appear to be an extension of IAM, it serves a distinct security purpose. IAM manages general user access, while PAM provides tight control over privileged access.
Which One is Right for You?
When used together, IAM and PAM bring security to the highest level. IAM provides identity and access management for all users, while PAM focuses on controlling and monitoring privileged access.
By expanding your security strategy and identifying the right solutions for your needs, you can ensure your organization remains protected against potential threats.
For more information and to explore the solutions that best fit your security requirements, feel free to contact us.
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