What is the main security benefit of using PAM?

The main security benefit of using Privileged Access Management (PAM) is to provide comprehensive control over privileged access. By implementing PAM, organizations can effectively manage and monitor access to critical systems and sensitive data. This includes defining user roles, enforcing strict authentication protocols, and continuously auditing access activities.

PAM solutions enable organizations to enforce the principle of least privilege, meaning that users and applications are granted only the access that is necessary for their functions, reducing the attack surface. Additionally, PAM offers features such as session recording, password vaulting, and the ability to quickly revoke access, all of which help enhance security by maintaining strict oversight and control over privileged accounts. This layered approach to security is essential for protecting against both internal and external threats.

In contrast, aiming to eliminate all security risks is not practical, as risks can never be entirely eradicated. Ensuring passwords are never changed is counterintuitive to security best practices, which emphasize regular password changes to mitigate the risks associated with credential theft. While reducing the number of privileged accounts can be beneficial, it is not the primary function of PAM; effective control and management of existing privileged access is the core advantage.