Cloud Privileged Access Management: Protecting sensitive accounts in the Cloud

Secure access control (AM) in any organization becomes even more necessary and complex when managing digital identities that, due to their position or role, must access critical assets of the entity—such as highly sensitive data or core administrative tools. 

At Soffid IAM, we develop IAM solutions for these privileged accesses, which reinforce security and enable exhaustive control. However, today, as more and more organizations rely on “the cloud” to host their systems, it is crucial that privileged access management solutions are prepared for an environment that offers many advantages but also implies greater vulnerability. This privileged access control designed for the cloud is known as Cloud Privileged Access Management.

What is Privileged Access Management (PAM) and why is it key in cloud environments?

Soffid Privileged Access Management (SOFFID PAM) is a cybersecurity solution that allows organizations to easily protect critical assets that should only be accessed by very specific digital profiles. A PAM solution monitors access in real time to ensure that only authorized identities are allowed, thereby detecting and preventing unauthorized access.

Privileged accounts can include  executive, administrative, or management profiles; accounts with special permissions (for example, in retail, a guest user—the customer—does not have the same privileges as the seller); accounts to manage applications, domains, or specific services, etc. All of them play a very important role, so when implementing IAM solutions, it is essential to ensure that control and security do not hinder performance, thus maintaining the organization’s operational efficiency.

In cloud environments, the number and variety of identities requiring privileged access multiplies, which makes control even more critical. By nature, cloud systems are more exposed to potential cyberattacks and other threats; therefore, it is necessary to develop a Cloud Privileged Access Management solution capable of controlling access to different privileged accounts in a dynamic, flexible environment. Thus, Cloud PAM must strike a balance between strict security enforcement and operational flexibility.

Challenges of access management in the cloud

Cloud computing, based on the internet (remote servers), offers undeniable advantages compared to the On-Premise model, such as cost reduction (infrastructure, maintenance, software), permanent data storage, or the flexibility and scalability of solutions. However, it also presents significant challenges, particularly regarding system security.

The fact that IT infrastructure belongs to the service provider means that organizations have little control over their own data and limited visibility, as they may not know exactly where it is stored or who has access to it. For this reason, in cloud environments, it is especially important to implement monitoring solutions.

Additionally, while cloud access has greatly facilitated the popularization of remote work or hybrid models (on-site/remote), it has also fueled another cyber threat: Shadow IT, i.e., the use of IT systems—software or hardware—not approved by the company. Using laptops, USB drives, weak antivirus software, or personal applications for work—even without bad intent—creates a huge security gap for organizations.

What is Cloud Privileged Access Management?

Cloud Privileged Access Management (Cloud PAM) is a security solution for controlling privileged accounts, designed to protect critical data and assets hosted in cloud environments. 

For example, a Cloud PAM solution not only controls privileged access but also manages access for all types of users, since they share the same network. At the same time, must offer granular control, allowing permissions to be defined per role. It’s not enough to assign a standard set of privileges to a group of accounts, as might happen with an On-Premise solution.

Migrating PAM solutions to the cloud faces multiple challenges: adapting Legacy PAM solutions designed for a specific On-Premise security model, managing shared accounts, or configuring multiple cloud services, among others. But it also offers multiple benefits.

H2 Benefits of Cloud Privileged Access Management

Transforming privileged access management solutions into Cloud Privileged Access Management tools is complex, but ultimately brings many of the advantages of other SaaS solutions:

• Universal configuration – a Cloud PAM solution can be managed from anywhere in the world, as long as there is an internet connection.

• Scalability – adapting the solution to organizational changes in size or structure is much easier.

• High availability – despite internet dependency, cloud environments experience minimal service interruptions.

• Automatic updates – the cloud service providers take care of keeping the system updated, eliminating a concern for optimal software maintenance.

• Cost reduction – not only due to lower maintenance requirements but also thanks to the flexibility of these solutions. If the company grows, there is no need to reimplement the solution.

Soffid IAM’s solutions are designed for cloud migration, including privileged accounts. Our Soffid IAM solution is modular: multiple solutions converge into one, which allows us to customize identity and access management according to our clients’ circumstances and needs. With a single management platform, we can deliver security and efficiency in equal measure—even in complex scenarios such as Cloud Privileged Access Management.

To learn how we can help you protect even your company’s most critical assets in a simple way, contact us and tell us about your case.