Privileged accounts—those with elevated permissions—are a prime target for cyber attackers. A single compromised administrator account can lead to full network access, data breaches, and irreversible damage. To protect these high-risk accounts, organizations are increasingly turning to Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions.
This article explores what PAM is, why it’s crucial, key features, and the best PAM solutions available in 2025.
What is Privileged Access Management (PAM)?
Privileged Access Management (PAM) refers to cybersecurity strategies and technologies designed to control, monitor, and secure access to critical systems and sensitive data by privileged users.
Privileged users include:
- System administrators
- Database admins
- Network engineers
- DevOps personnel
- Application service accounts
PAM tools help manage:
- Who can access privileged accounts
- When and how they access them
- What actions they perform
- Auditing and alerting based on activities
Why PAM is Critical
Privileged accounts are often exploited in:
- Ransomware attacks
- Insider threats
- Lateral movement within a network
- Data exfiltration and sabotage
By implementing PAM solutions, organizations can:
- Enforce least-privilege policies
- Limit the attack surface
- Monitor all privileged sessions
- Detect and respond to suspicious activities
- Meet compliance requirements such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and SOX
Core Features of PAM Solutions
- Privileged Credential Vaulting
Securely stores and rotates credentials for admin accounts. - Session Monitoring and Recording
Logs every action taken during a privileged session. - Just-In-Time (JIT) Access
Grants time-limited access only when needed. - Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Adds a security layer for privileged account access. - Access Approval Workflows
Ensures no unauthorized user can access critical assets. - Audit Trails and Reporting
Provides visibility into privileged activities for compliance. - Integration with SIEM and IAM Tools
Enhances security monitoring and user identity correlation.
Benefits of PAM Implementation
- Reduces risk of insider abuse
- Prevents credential sharing and misuse
- Shortens breach detection and response time
- Strengthens regulatory compliance posture
- Increases visibility and accountability for high-risk users
Top PAM Solutions in 2025
Below are leading Privileged Access Management solutions trusted by enterprises worldwide:
1. CyberArk
- Industry leader in PAM and identity security
- Offers comprehensive credential vaulting, session isolation, and JIT access
- Supports hybrid and cloud environments
- Scalable and trusted by large enterprises globally
2. BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access
- Focuses on secure remote access for vendors and admins
- Includes session management, password rotation, and threat analytics
- Quick deployment and cloud compatibility
- Strong integration with SIEMs and identity platforms
3. Delinea (formerly ThycoticCentrify)
- Offers cloud-ready and on-premise PAM solutions
- Supports least-privilege enforcement and password vaulting
- User-friendly interface with powerful automation tools
- Great for mid-size to large enterprises
4. ManageEngine PAM360
- Affordable and feature-rich PAM tool
- Offers password management, session monitoring, and compliance support
- Works well for SMBs and mid-market businesses
- Integrates with SIEM and ticketing systems
5. One Identity Safeguard
- Combines privileged access with threat detection
- Provides real-time session monitoring and auditing
- Supports video recording of admin activity
- Works in cloud and hybrid environments
6. HashiCorp Vault
- Focuses on secrets management and credential storage
- Supports dynamic secrets and access tokens
- Open-source and enterprise versions available
- Popular with DevOps teams and CI/CD pipelines
7. IBM Security Verify Privilege Vault
- Enterprise-grade PAM with AI-driven threat detection
- Offers session management, MFA, and strong compliance features
- Designed for complex, regulated industries
- Integrates with IBM’s broader security portfolio
8. Oracle Privileged Account Manager
- Native integration with Oracle databases and cloud services
- Best suited for organizations heavily invested in Oracle
- Provides full lifecycle management of privileged accounts
- Strong compliance and audit support
9. ARCON Privileged Access Management
- Strong presence in banking and government sectors
- Offers risk-based access, workflow approvals, and session monitoring
- Supports third-party vendor access controls
- Scalable and customizable for enterprise needs
10. Senhasegura
- Fast-growing global PAM solution
- Offers password vaulting, behavior analytics, and JIT access
- Competitive pricing with strong compliance reporting
- Popular in Latin America, expanding globally
Use Cases for PAM
- IT Infrastructure Management – Control admin access to servers and databases
- Cloud Security – Enforce secure access policies across AWS, Azure, GCP
- Remote Work Environments – Provide secure access for remote administrators and third-party vendors
- Compliance Auditing – Maintain detailed logs of privileged sessions for auditors
Challenges and Best Practices
Challenges:
- Resistance from IT staff to change workflows
- Complexity of integrating with legacy systems
- Keeping access rights updated as roles evolve
Best Practices:
- Use MFA for all privileged access
- Enable session recording and real-time alerts
- Periodically audit privileged account use
- Implement least-privilege and JIT access policies
- Regularly rotate and vault credentials
Conclusion
In today’s threat landscape, securing privileged accounts is non-negotiable. Privileged Access Management solutions provide organizations with the tools to control, monitor, and audit privileged activities, reducing risk and enhancing operational security.
Whether you’re a growing enterprise or a global corporation, implementing a robust PAM strategy with tools like CyberArk, Delinea, or BeyondTrust can be a game-changer for your cybersecurity defenses.