Self-Service Privilege Elevation via PAM360

Self-Service Privilege Elevation empowers end-users to perform privileged operations during remote sessions, independently and securely, without having to rely on administrators for real-time approvals. These operations can include installing applications, executing specific scripts or commands, and performing tasks that typically require administrator or root privileges, based on the underlying operating system.

This capability works by allowing administrators to pre-configure selected accounts or resources with a set of approved applications, scripts, and commands. These predefined actions are made accessible to designated end-users, enabling them to self-elevate their privileges securely within a governed framework. Administrators retain full control over the configuration of Self-Service Privilege Elevation, using predefined rules to define exactly what operations can be performed under what conditions.

Why Self-Service Privilege Elevation Matters in Privileged Access Management

• Minimizing Administrator Overhead: Reduces the burden on IT administrators who would otherwise need to manually approve or execute privileged tasks for users repeatedly.
• Improving Operational Efficiency: Enables users to carry out necessary privileged tasks quickly and independently, without waiting for administrative intervention.
• Enforcing Least Privilege with Granularity: Ensures that users receive only the exact level of privilege needed to complete their task, for a limited time and scope, reducing the risk of privilege misuse.
• Enhancing Security and Compliance: When combined with PAM360’s access control workflows and SSH command control (Linux), Self-Service Privilege Elevation ensures all privileged activities are time-bound, command-restricted, and auditable, aligning with regulatory compliance and organizational security policies.

Example Real-Time Use Case

Consider a scenario where an administrator needs to enable a non-privileged user to install third-party applications or access a protected directory for a specific duration. Manually granting these permissions repeatedly across multiple users can be tedious and risk-prone. Self-Service Privilege Elevation streamlines this process by pre-configuring the required privileged operations, allowing users to elevate their privileges independently for a defined timeframe to complete their tasks securely.

With the following documents, you will have a clear understanding of how to:

1. Configure and Manage Self-Service Privilege Elevation for Windows and Windows Domain Environments
2. Configure and Manage Self-Service Privilege Elevation for Linux Environments