What are the differences between PAM and Privileged Identity Management (PIM)?

Managing privileged access and managing privileged identities are both crucial aspects of privileged account management within an organization’s security framework. Here are the key differences between the two:

1. Managing Privileged Access:

– Involves controlling and monitoring the access to privileged accounts, systems, and data.

– Focuses on managing permissions, defining roles, enforcing least privilege access, implementing access controls, and monitoring activities.

– Helps prevent unauthorized access, privilege abuse, and insider threats.

– This approach is used to ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive resources, limiting the scope of what individuals can do within those resources.

2. Managing Privileged Identities:

– Involves managing the identities associated with privileged accounts, including creating, updating, and securing those identities.

– Focuses on identity lifecycle management, including provisioning, deprovisioning, and periodic review of privileges.

– Helps enforce security policies, maintain compliance, and reduce the risk of credential exploitation.

– This approach is used to ensure that the identities associated with privileged accounts are securely managed throughout their lifecycle to prevent unauthorized access and maintain operational continuity.

Both approaches are necessary components of a comprehensive privileged account management strategy. Managing privileged access focuses on controlling and monitoring how privileges are used, while managing privileged identities emphasizes ensuring the security and integrity of the identities associated with those privileges.