Securing Cloud Environments with Privileged Access Management

Cloud computing has quickly become a widespread and efficient method for businesses and organisations to store their data and applications. While cloud storage offers cost efficiency, accessibility and scalability, it also brings unique security challenges. The need for comprehensive protection grows even further as more critical applications and data move into cloud environments. Privileged access security plays a vital role here.

Why privileged access matters in the cloud

Before exploring how cloud security is strengthened, it is necessary to recognise the significance of Privileged Access Management, often shortened to PAM. PAM helps organisations operating within cloud environments meet their compliance duties.

Privileged access refers to the special administrative rights and permissions given to a certain group of users in exchange for administrative privileges, giving them access to sensitive systems, networks and applications. Privileged Account Management refers to the technologies and procedures that help organisations manage and monitor privileged access to critical assets.

Protecting assets across providers

A centralised privileged access platform manages privileged access across all cloud service providers and their respective platforms, such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform. This reduces administrative complexity across cloud environments and removes the need for multiple separate tools.

Capabilities that protect cloud environments

• Secure password management. A secure vault stores privileged account credentials safely, so sensitive credentials are not left exposed or shared among multiple users.
• Multi factor authentication. Multi factor authentication can be applied to all privileged access, including access to cloud environments.
• Just in time privilege access. As agile methods and DevOps become more common, organisations need on demand privilege access. Time bound and restricted access reduces misuse and abuse of privileged accounts.
• Real time monitoring and analytics. Continuous monitoring and alerting allow organisations to detect suspicious activity connected with privileged accounts quickly.
• Integration with cloud service providers. Integrations allow new cloud assets to be discovered and enrolled automatically, without leaving security gaps.
• Compliance and directory integration. Directory integration streamlines the secure exchange of employee, payroll and business data between enterprise applications and the cloud.

Closing view

As organisations migrate their data and applications into the cloud, privileged access management becomes ever more crucial. A well designed PAM strategy keeps cloud security from becoming vulnerable through compromised privileged accounts, and it protects sensitive assets without slowing down cloud adoption. For the research community gathered at IEM ICDC, these themes connect directly to the conference track on cloud computing and big data analytics.