Understanding Privileged Access Management Standards: ISO, NIST & More

Privileged Access Management (PAM) is a cornerstone of a robust cybersecurity strategy, safeguarding the most sensitive assets within an organization. As cyber threats evolve, adhering to stringent standards and regulations is not just about compliance; it's a strategic imperative. From ISO to NIST, understanding the scopes and purposes of these standards is crucial for ensuring that privileged accounts are managed securely and efficiently.

This post looks into the essential standards governing PAM and offers best practices to align with them effectively.

Exploring the Basics of Compliance with PAM

Importance of Compliance in Cybersecurity

In cybersecurity, compliance is not merely a box-ticking exercise but a fundamental component that shields organizations from breaches and cyber-attacks. Compliance ensures that security measures are in place to protect privileged access to critical systems and data, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized access and potential exploitation.

Challenges in Compliance Adherence

Navigating the complex web of compliance requirements presents a formidable challenge for many organizations. With a myriad of regulations, standards, and best practices to follow, ensuring that every box is checked can be a daunting task. The dynamic nature of both technology and regulations means that what is compliant today may not be tomorrow, requiring constant vigilance and adaptation.

Role of PAM in Ensuring Compliance

Privileged Access Management (PAM) refers to the cybersecurity strategy and practices that organizations implement to control, monitor, and secure access to their critical information systems by privileged users. This includes measures to prevent unauthorized access and misuse of privileged accounts.

Organizations establishing a comprehensive PAM framework can ensure that access to sensitive systems is appropriately granted and audited, aligning with both internal policies and external regulatory requirements.

Understanding Key Standards: NIST, ISO, and More

1. NIST

NIST 2.0 Framework

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, is responsible for developing the NIST 2.0 Cybersecurity Framework. This framework is voluntary and serves as a guide for organizations to better understand and improve their management of cybersecurity risk.

NIST SP 800-53

NIST SP 800-53 provides a comprehensive catalog of security and privacy controls for federal information systems and organizations. It aims to enhance the security and resilience of these systems through a well-structured framework. Relevant controls related to PAM include:

AC-2 (Account Management), which ensures proper management of user accounts throughout their lifecycle, from creation to deactivation;
AC-5 (Separation of Duties), promotes the division of responsibilities to prevent any single individual from having excessive control, reducing the risk of misuse.
AC-6 (Least Privilege), mandates that users are granted only the access necessary to perform their duties, minimizing potential security risks.

This standard is vital for establishing a comprehensive security framework that protects federal information systems.

NIST Interagency Report (NISTIR) 7966

NISTIR 7966 is a specialized guidance document that addresses the secure management of automated access to ensure the security of interactive and automated network connections.

It specifically focuses on the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol, which is widely used for automated access to critical systems and data.

NISTIR 7966 outlines best practices for deploying and managing SSH keys, emphasizing the importance of key management, proper configuration, and the regular auditing of SSH-based access.

For organizations seeking to secure their use of SSH in PAM, adherence to NISTIR 7966 can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and improve the overall security of automated system-to-system connections.

2. ISO

What are ISO standards?

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) develops and publishes international standards, including those for information security management. These standards aim to ensure that products, services, and processes are safe, reliable, and of good quality.

ISO 27001

ISO/IEC 27001 is a globally recognized standard that delineates the requirements for an information security management system (ISMS). Its primary objective is to help organizations, regardless of their size or industry, to protect their information assets systematically and cost-effectively through the adoption of an Information Security Management System (ISMS).

ISO 27001 necessitates the identification, evaluation, and management of risks related to privileged accounts, ensuring that sensitive data is accessible only to authorized personnel and that the integrity and confidentiality of information are preserved.

Compliance with ISO 27001 demonstrates a commitment to information security that aligns with best practices and international guidelines.

ISO/IEC 27002:2022

ISO/IEC 27002:2022 is the latest iteration of the internationally recognized standard for information security controls, providing organizations with updated guidelines for implementing and managing an effective ISMS.

For PAM, ISO/IEC 27002:2022 places an emphasis on the need for organizations to establish, document, implement, and review access control policies that govern the allocation of access rights, authentication mechanisms, and the monitoring of user activities.

It is a vital tool for organizations aiming to ensure that their PAM practices are in line with current best practices and effectively mitigate the risks associated with privileged access.

3. PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)

PCI DSS is a set of requirements designed to ensure that all companies processing, storing, or transmitting credit card information maintain a secure environment.

The primary purpose of PCI DSS is to protect cardholder data from fraud and unauthorized use. It requires organizations to implement strong access control measures, rigorously manage and monitor privileged access to network resources and cardholder data, and maintain an audit trail of all access to network resources and cardholder data to ensure accountability and traceability.

4. SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley Act)

SOX is U.S. legislation enacted to protect shareholders and the general public from accounting errors and fraudulent practices in enterprises. It mandates strict reforms to improve financial disclosures from corporations and prevent accounting fraud.

SOX necessitates that organizations establish and maintain stringent controls over privileged access to financial systems to ensure the integrity and accuracy of financial data. This includes regular audits of privileged accounts and related activities to maintain transparency and accountability.

5. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)

HIPAA sets the standard for protecting sensitive patient data in the United States. Organizations that deal with protected health information (PHI) must ensure that all required physical, network, and process security measures are in place and followed.

PAM is critical under HIPAA as it requires healthcare providers and their business associates to control and monitor privileged access to electronic PHI (ePHI), ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive data and that their interactions with ePHI are logged and auditable.

GDPR is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for individuals within the European Union and the European Economic Area. Its purpose is to give individuals control over their personal data and to simplify the regulatory environment for international business.

PAM plays a significant role in GDPR compliance, as the regulation requires organizations to enforce strict access controls and maintain comprehensive records of data processing activities. This includes managing privileged account access to personal data and ensuring that such access is monitored, controlled, and auditable to prevent unauthorized use and breaches.

PAM Best Practices for Compliance Alignment

1. Manage and Monitor Privileged Access Activity

To align with compliance standards, it's essential to have a robust system in place for managing and monitoring privileged access. This involves tracking and recording all privileged sessions to ensure that actions can be audited and unauthorized activities can be detected promptly.

Real-time monitoring capabilities are critical for identifying suspicious behavior and potential breaches as they occur.

Furthermore, implementing a solution that provides an audit trail for all privileged access activities helps in maintaining a strong security posture and simplifies compliance reporting.

2. Implement Least Privilege and Default Usernames Policies

The principle of least privilege dictates that users should only be granted the access necessary to perform their tasks. This minimizes the risk of accidental or deliberate misuse of privileges.

Organizations should regularly review and update user permissions to ensure they are aligned with current roles and responsibilities.

Additionally, it's advisable to move away from default usernames, which are often easily guessed by attackers, and instead use unique identifiers for each privileged account.

3. Privileged Access Governance

Governance over privileged access involves establishing policies and procedures that define how access is granted, reviewed, and revoked. Create a framework for managing privileged accounts, define roles and responsibilities, and ensure that appropriate controls are in place to prevent unauthorized access.

Regular reviews and updates to these governance policies are necessary to keep pace with changes in the organization and the evolving threat landscape.

4. Control Shared Accounts and Enforce Strong Passwords

Shared accounts, while sometimes necessary, can pose a significant security risk if not properly managed. It's important to have controls in place to ensure that shared accounts are used appropriately and that activities can be traced back to an individual user.

Enforcing strong password policies, including the use of multi-factor authentication, helps secure these accounts. Passwords should be complex, changed regularly, and never reused across different accounts or systems.

PrivX™: Streamlining Access Management for Compliance

Looking to enhance your organization's Privileged Access Management while staying compliant with the latest standards? SSH PrivX hybrid PAM is the solution that streamlines secure access, offering features like just-in-time access, role-based controls, and traceable audit trails that align with compliance requirements.

Why not see PrivX in action? Book a personalized demo to experience firsthand how it can simplify your PAM processes. Our demo provides a comprehensive look at PrivX's capabilities, showing you exactly how it can secure your privileged access needs.

FAQ

How does Privileged Access Management ensure compliance with internal standards?

Privileged Access Management ensures compliance by enforcing strict access management standards, controlling administrator access, and maintaining a secure password policy. It manages the PAM lifecycle, ensuring elevated access is granted only to authorized community members and system administrators, thus securing information technology resources against cybercriminals.

Why is understanding the landscape of PAM standards important for compliance?

Understanding the landscape of PAM standards is crucial for compliance as it helps manage privileged account access, enforce a consistent password policy, and protect credentials. It also ensures that all community members and system administrators adhere to established access management standards, reducing the risk of breaches.

What formal changes are necessary to establish robust Privileged Access Management?

Formal changes to establish robust PAM include implementing a strict password policy, defining a clear naming convention for administrator accounts, and ensuring all system administrators have non-primary identities for elevated access. Additionally, enforce identity management practices and consult on exceptions to maintain security agreements.

How can organizations manage and monitor privileged access to ensure compliance?

Organizations can manage and monitor privileged access by implementing access management standards, tracking administrator account activities, and maintaining detailed logs.

Regularly consult with system administrators and community members to ensure compliance, address exceptions, and safeguard information technology resources against unauthorized modifications.

What are the best practices to implement least privilege and manage shared accounts in PAM compliance?

Best practices include enforcing the principle of least privilege by restricting elevated access to necessary tasks, using non-primary identities for system administrator-level activities, and implementing a strong password policy.

Regularly audit shared accounts and credentials to ensure they comply with security agreements and access management standards.