Just-in-time access emerges as key to mitigating risk

The digital landscape for businesses has been fundamentally reshaped by the widespread adoption of cloud computing and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions.

Organisations across diverse sectors are increasingly leveraging the cloud's inherent scalability and cost-efficiency to drive innovation and streamline operations. However, this shift towards cloud-based environments has also introduced a new set of complex security challenges that demand careful consideration and robust mitigation strategies.
 
One of the most pressing concerns revolves around the management of access privileges. A recent report highlighted that a significant 35% of cloud security incidents stemmed from the abuse of valid account credentials.

This statistic underscores the critical importance of effective access control mechanisms in the cloud. Compounding this issue is the finding from Microsoft that a staggering 99% of granted cloud permissions remain unused.

This disparity reveals a fundamental problem: cloud users are frequently granted excessive privileges, creating a substantial security risk. These over-privileged accounts become highly attractive targets for malicious actors seeking to infiltrate organisational networks and access sensitive data. 

The enduring relevance of least privilege

In the face of these evolving threats, organisations should be turning to a time-tested cybersecurity principle: least privilege. This principle, which has guided IT security practices for more than half a century, remains as relevant as ever in the cloud era.

Least privilege advocates for granting users, accounts, and computing processes only the precise access rights necessary to perform their legitimate functions, and for limiting those rights to the specific duration required.
 
By diligently enforcing least privilege, organisations can significantly reduce their overall threat surface. This approach minimises the potential damage that can result from a compromised user account, as the account's capabilities are inherently limited.

While the importance of least privilege is well-established in the context of traditional, on-premise systems, its consistent application within cloud environments appears to have lagged. This gap presents a significant vulnerability that organisations must address proactively.

A dynamic and adaptive approach

To effectively neutralise the risk of hackers exploiting excessive privileges, organisations are increasingly embracing just-in-time (JIT) access methodologies for managing access to cloud resources.

JIT access represents a dynamic and adaptive approach to security, focusing on the automation of granting and revoking temporary access rights. A core tenet of JIT access is the elimination of unnecessary permanent access, which inherently reduces security risks.
 
In a JIT framework, when a user requires additional access to perform a specific task, they can request it. Administrators then have the ability to grant access for a specific, limited period.

Crucially, a well-designed JIT system includes an automated process to ensure that access is automatically revoked once the designated time frame has elapsed. This automated revocation is essential for maintaining a strong security posture and preventing the accumulation of unnecessary privileges.

Enhancing productivity and agility

The benefits of JIT access extend beyond pure security enhancements. Organisations are also discovering significant gains in user productivity and overall business agility.

JIT access empowers users to request access to the specific resources they need, precisely when they need them. This self-service model streamlines workflows and reduces delays associated with traditional, more cumbersome access approval processes.
 
Consider, for example, the scenario of IT support staff. With JIT access, these employees can be automatically granted access to helpdesk systems at the start of their scheduled shifts.

When staff are required to provide support outside of normal business hours, JIT access enables them to obtain the necessary permissions through specific, one-time requests, without compromising the security of the entire network.

Implementing a PAM solution

The prevalence of unused cloud permissions represents a substantial security vulnerability. Experience shows that a large proportion of granted permissions remain inactive, yet they constitute potential entry points that malicious actors can exploit to gain unauthorised access.
 
Implementing a robust Just-in-Time Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution is paramount for organisations seeking to effectively apply the principle of least privilege within their cloud environments. A comprehensive PAM solution provides the necessary tools and capabilities to manage and control privileged access, automate JIT workflows, and enforce security policies consistently.

By leveraging a modern PAM solution, organisations can strengthen their ability to comply with relevant regulatory requirements, reduce their exposure to cyber risk, lower cyber insurance costs, and enhance the productivity of their employees. 

Navigating the future of cloud security

The ongoing adoption of cloud and SaaS environments shows no signs of slowing down. As organisations continue to migrate their operations and data to the cloud, it is crucial that they proactively address the associated security challenges.

Implementing JIT access offers a compelling strategy for achieving significant benefits in both cybersecurity and productivity.

By embracing this dynamic and adaptive approach to access management, organisations can build a more secure and efficient cloud environment, enabling them to capitalise on the cloud's potential while minimising its inherent risks.