Mastering the Art of Safeguarding Privileged Users: Best Practices for Management and Security Master
An organization may have more than one privileged user accounts and such accounts have greater level of control and authority into the system. Thus, securing these special accounts is a must to protect sensitive data and critical systems from cyberattacks
What is a privileged user?
A privileged user refers to one who has elevated access permission within a computer system, network or application. These special users often hold roles such as domain administrators, server administrators or other IT experts who configure hardware and software, troubleshoot issues, and manage IT operations on behalf of an organization.
Business users, developers having access to sensitive data, people having access to SaaS applications are also privileged users. Such high level of permission access to privileged users attracts the cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or to compromise the integrity of the systems.
Difference between a privileged user and privileged account?
Privileged users refer to individual users who have unique identity management systems. Privileged user refers to someone who possess elevated access rights within an organizations IT environment. These users have the authority to perform critical tasks such as configurating servers, installing software, managing user accounts, troubleshooting issues and applying security patches.
A privileged account however is not a unique user but can be shared by multiple people. Such accounts are used by both human users and automated processes (like scripts or services). Characteristics of privileged accounts are higher privileges, access to critical resources, controlled usage, root accounts, administrator accounts, service accounts and database superuser accounts.
Privileged accounts that have elevated permissions include
Administrator Accounts These accounts have full control over a system or network giving them very high level of privilege. They may perform tasks such as installing software, configurating system settings, and managing user accounts. Changes made my such accounts impact all the servers, workstations, and users connected to that particular domain.
Root Accounts It is a special user account in Unix-like operating systems such as Linux or accounts with broad, powerful read and write privileges.
Database Administrator (DBA) Accounts DBA accounts have elevated privileges within a database management system that allows them to create, modify and delete databases, tables, and other database objects.
Network Administrator Accounts These accounts enjoy privileges but within a network infrastructure. It allows them to configure network devices, manage network services and monitor network traffic.
Service Accounts Such accounts are used by servicers to interact with the operating system or other resources.
High risks and attacks on privileged user and privileged accounts
Most organizations have unknown and unmanaged privileged accounts that may can gone unnoticed and this can be for various reasons such as an account may not have been disabled after the user left the organization, an account may not have been used often causing it to be obsolete and left abandoned, or the default accounts from new devices and workstations may not have been disabled.
An unknown privileged user account may cause high risks as an employee may access it to perform unauthorized tasks or gain access into restricted data, violating compliance mandates while increasing liability. Cybercriminals may find access to such accounts giving them access to the organizations restricted data.Attackers may attempt to steal the credentials of privileged users though emails, social engineering, or exploiting vulnerabilities in software.
Credential spying attackers attempt to compromise multiple accounts by using a small set of commonly used or stolen credentials. Once it is obtained attackers can impersonate privileged users to gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data.
How to secure different kinds of privileged user accounts?
Securing different types of privileged user accounts requires implementing various security measures with consideration to the specific needs and risks associated with each type of accounts.
Some strategies for securing different types of privileged user accounts
Domain Admin Accounts These accounts have full access to all the resources in the domain and if compromised it will affect all the networks across. To prevent such a situation only limited number of users should be given access to such accounts with active monitoring measures.
Server Admin Accounts These accounts are used to run windows and Unix servers and if tampered by cybercriminals it could lead to halt in business operations, exfiltration of data, or other such damages.
Privileged data user accounts Standard user accounts having access to sensitive data and are often run-of-the-mill user accounts which are mostly not monitored resulting to the password policy not reflecting their sensitive nature. In such cases performing a data risk assessment to identify privileged accounts and users with access to them should be taken and limitation to users should be given to only the regular or required accounts.
Emergency/break glass accounts This is an emergency account used for emergencies such as cyberattack as during cyberattacks the admin accounts may lose access. These accounts have access to sensitive data and if an attacker gets access to such accounts, they could use it as a back door. To avoid such cases, limitation on access to such accounts should be given while monitoring its activities and ensure that is used only during emergencies.
Local administrator accounts on workstations All workstations have administrator accounts, it is used to install printers, change languages and install applications, etc. This is often given to employees by default giving them extra privilege that they do not require. A cybercriminal with such loopholes could gain access to the local accounts providing them with a foothold. To prevent this access should be restricted by removing default accounts.
How to empower privileged users?
Privileged user training Training should be provided to employees to recognize any suspicious behaviour and making them understand the importance of privilege security and provide security-based policies specific to the organization.
Policy-based access controls A structured security-based process should be implemented to give access to privilege accounts to only the resources they require. New privileged user accounts should be properly reviewed, privileged accounts should be restricted to limited time and geographical location.
Proactive oversight Privilege user accounts having elevated permissions to spot illicit activity should be monitored routinely.
Credential and identity management While setting up a new account, application, or system one should change default access credentials.
Least privilege policies All users should be set to standard users and only the necessary users should be given access by elevating them when needed