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Overview

Working with healthcare projects and sensitive data in the cloud demands a security posture that goes beyond traditional perimeter defenses. You can use Privileged Access Manager (PAM) to control just-in-time temporary privilege elevation for select principals, and to view audit logs afterwards to find out who had access to what and when. Just-in-Time (JIT) access is a security principle and a key component of modern PAM strategies. It means granting users or services elevated privileges only for the specific duration and purpose for which they are needed, and automatically revoking those privileges once the task is completed. Privileged Access Management and Just-in-Time (JIT) access are two interconnected concepts that are essential for protecting Protected Health Information (PHI) and ensuring compliance with stringent regulations like HIPAA and GDPR.

The need for PAM in the cloud

  • High-Value Target: Privileged accounts are prime targets for attackers. Compromising a privileged account can grant an attacker access to the most sensitive data and the ability to disrupt critical healthcare operations.
  • Insider Threats: While often unintentional, insider threats (employees with legitimate access who misuse their privileges) can also pose a significant risk. PAM helps mitigate this by providing granular control and monitoring.
  • Compliance Requirements: Healthcare regulations explicitly require organizations to implement controls to protect sensitive data. PAM directly addresses these requirements by securing access to the systems and data that fall under these regulations.
  • Reduced Attack Surface: By limiting the number of privileged accounts and controlling their usage, you significantly reduce the attack surface available to malicious actors.
  • Improved Auditability and Accountability: PAM solutions provide detailed logs of all privileged activities, including who accessed what, when, and from where. This is crucial for security investigations, incident response, and demonstrating compliance during audits.
  • Prevention of Privilege Creep: Over time, users can accumulate unnecessary privileges. PAM helps prevent this "privilege creep" by providing mechanisms for reviewing and revoking outdated permissions.
  • Enhanced Security Posture: Implementing a robust PAM solution strengthens the overall security posture of your cloud environment, making it more resilient to attacks.

PAM Capabilities Relevant to Healthcare Security

  • Privileged Account Discovery and Inventory: Identifying all privileged accounts within the cloud environment.
  • Secure Credential Management: Eliminating the need for users to know or share privileged passwords by using secure vaults and automated credential injection.
  • Session Monitoring and Recording: Recording privileged sessions for auditing and forensic analysis.
  • Access Request and Approval Workflows: Implementing formal processes for requesting and approving privileged access.
  • Least Privilege Enforcement: Ensuring that privileged accounts only have the minimum permissions necessary.
  • Minimizing the Window of Opportunity for Attackers: By granting privileged access only when it's actively being used, you drastically reduce the time window during which a compromised account could be exploited.
  • Reducing the Risk of Accidental Misuse: JIT access helps prevent users from inadvertently using elevated privileges for tasks they shouldn't be performing.
  • Enhancing Auditability: JIT access makes it easier to track and audit specific privileged activities, as the access is tied to a specific request and timeframe.
  • Simplifying Access Management: While it might seem counterintuitive, JIT access can simplify access management by automating the granting and revocation of temporary privileges.
  • Meeting Compliance Requirements: JIT access aligns with the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a proactive approach to securing sensitive data, which is favorable for compliance audits.
  • Improving Security Posture: By eliminating standing privileged access, you significantly reduce the risk associated with dormant or forgotten privileged accounts.

PAM provides the framework for managing privileged accounts, while JIT access is a powerful technique within that framework to minimize the duration of elevated privileges. Together, they create a highly secure environment for handling sensitive healthcare data in the cloud.