Secure Shell (SSH) access is everywhere within your IT environment. It is the de-facto method for Linux, database & network admins and application support teams to securely connect to servers and applications within them - whether they are on-premise or in the cloud.
This post will explore more about SSH keys and their risks that are often forgotten. We will also discuss the future of SSH access management, the Zero Trust principle, and its essential benefits.
Understanding SSH Keys and Their Potential Risks
Definition and Importance of SSH Keys
SSH keys are a foundational element in secure communications, serving as a means of authenticating users to an SSH server as an alternative to password-based logins.
They are cryptographic keys that come in pairs: a private key, which is kept secret by the user, and a public key that is placed on the server. When the private and public keys match, access is granted, creating a secure and automated way of logging into servers and managing networks.
SSH grants access to, for example:
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credit card and medical data
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tax records and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
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CI/CD pipeline and provisioning tools (Ansible, Chef, Puppet, Bladelogic)
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cloud servers and containers or firewalls and network devices
Just like passwords, SSH keys are an access credential in the SSH protocol. What's more, 80% of SSH connections are used for automated tasks and over the decades, the number of encryption keys in IT environments has skyrocketed.
Risks and Challenges Associated with SSH Keys
SSH keys are credentials, just like passwords, as they provide access to privileged systems and accounts that if compromised can lead to unauthorized access, bypassing security systems & maliciously traversing IT systems unchallenged.
The implied risks associated with this compromise are customer data & IP theft, critical service outages and increased exposure to ransomware attacks.
Just like passwords, SSH keys are an IT audit failure point and their ungoverned use is against multiple regulations.
Many organizations have put considerable effort into ensuring that passwords are rigidly governed and brought under control, yet the management of SSH keys is often overlooked.
The sobering news is that even if a large organization has all its privileged passwords under control, if its keys remain ungoverned, in the worst case scenario, they have only 10% of their access credentials managed.
Based on our experience, SSH keys are often 10 more common access credentials than passwords in IT environments.
The Imperative to Manage SSH Keys Securely
Large enterprises typically need to provision and control tens of thousands of SSH connections across their server estate on a monthly basis. This is because SSH encryption keys do not expire by default and are rather easy to create to complete a specific task by anyone with rudimentary IT skills.
Since IT personnel can self-provision SSH keys, their use is also de-centralized. Most businesses lack a centralized view and the capacity to manage keys in a systematic fashion for this very reason.
Over decades, the key numbers in IT environments have skyrocketed.
Enterprises without a proper SSH key management solution in place will have operationally inefficient processes for the following:
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Provisioning SSH keys or fixing misconfigured access
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Removing SSH access that is no longer required
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Renewing key pairs to maintain compliance
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Ensuring security access management systems are not bypassed
Organizations have attempted to solve the SSH key challenge in-house. But they are often surprised with the complexity of the problem, since there's no central governance over the keys and their numbers are often measured with hundreds of thousands. They often simply give up.
This is where specialized software like our Universal SSH Key Manager steps in. It discovers even the hardest-to-find SSH keys from massive enterprise encryption key estates and centralizes their management without requiring changes to the key architecture.
In short, it does the heavy lifting for the customer and it puts them in charge of their critical but often forgotten credentials.
This is one of the reasons why many Fortune 500 companies have chosen to collaborate with us to solve the key problem, even when they have other security solutions like Privileged Access Management (PAM) in house. PAMs alone simply cannot manage keys at an enterprise level, often covering only 20% of all cases - in the best case scenario.
How to Manage SSH Keys in Modern IT Environments
Introduction to Keyless SSH
Keyless SSH represents a transformative approach to secure access management. It moves away from traditional key-based authentication to a system that does not require the distribution of SSH keys at all.
This model leverages ephemeral certificates and Just-In-Time (JIT) provisioning to grant access, which means that credentials are no longer static or long-lived.
Keyless SSH mitigates the risks associated with key management and ensures that access is granted only when needed, effectively implementing the principle of least privilege.
Ephemeral Certificates for Just-in-Time (JIT) Access
Just-in-Time (JIT) access management is a dynamic approach to secure authentication that aligns with the principles of least privilege and zero trust security.
It's a paradigm shift where you no longer attempt to manage static SSH encryption keys but instead migrate to JIT certificate-based authentication.
In this model, access is granted on-demand at the time of establishing the connection. Instead of using keys, access is granted with short-lived certificates that are invisible to the user and that expire automatically after the connection. This means that there no longer are any permanent SSH encryption keys left behind to be managed.
Zero Trust Model and Continuous Monitoring
Even with a great SSH key management solution in place, SSH key management processes can be complex and challenging - especially in highly dynamic enterprise environments.
We see the future of SSH access following Zero Trust principles -- a security concept centered around the belief that organizations should not automatically trust anything inside or outside its perimeters and instead must verify anything and anyone trying to connect to its systems before granting access.
This is a huge evolutionary step for Enterprise Key Management. We call it SSH Zero Trust access, and it has the following benefits:
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Greatly reducing the need to manage static SSH keys - often reducing their numbers by the thousands
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Significantly simplifying the key rotation process with fewer keys to rotate
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Enabling session recording and full visibility of the SSH connection
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Full audit and control of SSH connections - including machines
Keyless SSH aligns with the zero trust framework by continuously validating users and their access rights. Real-time visibility and audit logs provide a detailed record of user activity, enhancing the ability to detect and respond to potential threats.
Universal SSH Key Manager: The Future of Secure Access Management
Universal SSH Key Manager (UKM) offers comprehensive solutions for managing SSH keys, aligning with the principles discussed in this article. UKM's key features include automated key discovery, centralized key management, and policy enforcement, ensuring secure and efficient handling of SSH keys. This tool helps prevent unauthorized access, mitigate vulnerabilities, and comply with security standards.
Ready to revolutionize your SSH key management? Book a demo or take a test drive with UKM today. Experience seamless integration and robust security features firsthand.
FAQ
How do you set up passwordless SSH to connect to a server?
To set up passwordless SSH, first, generate an SSH key pair using ssh-keygen. Copy the public key to the server's ~/.ssh/authorized_keys file. Ensure the config file on the client and server is properly configured to allow key-based authentication. This method enhances secure collaboration and strong encryption. Administrators should validate users and enforce access control through privilege policies, ensuring secure infrastructure access without rotating passwords.
What are the benefits of implementing a zero trust suite for SSH access control?
A zero trust suite for SSH ensures identity-based access, requiring administrators to validate users continuously. This approach provides strong encryption, access control, and username-based visibility. It supports sensitive data protection and secure collaboration, even for a distributed workforce. Policies such as session recordings, command logs, and decommissioning SSH targets enhance security. Zero trust suites align with standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001.
How does Just-In-Time (JIT) access management improve server security?
JIT access management improves server security by granting temporary, single-time-use keys for accessing SSH targets. This method minimizes the risk of long-lived credentials being compromised. It also supports identity providers to validate users, ensuring only authorized access. Administrators can enforce privilege policies and control access using workflows. JIT access enhances audits, enabling better management of a distributed workforce and reducing the need for rotating passwords.
Why is it important to audit and authorize SSH key usage in large enterprises?
Auditing and authorizing SSH key usage ensures that only validated users can access sensitive data. It enhances access control and helps administrators enforce security policies. Regular audits help identify unused or compromised keys, ensuring compliance with standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. Implementing strong encryption and secure collaboration practices, such as session recordings and command logs, ensures secure infrastructure management.
What role do ephemeral certificates play in a zero trust model for passwordless SSH access?
Ephemeral certificates provide single-time use keys for SSH access, enhancing security by reducing the risk of key compromise. In a zero trust model, they support identity-based access and strong encryption, ensuring that administrators can validate users each time access is requested. This approach facilitates secure collaboration, session recordings, and command logs, providing comprehensive control and visibility.
