CyberArk and privileged access security

Technology

CyberArk core capabilities in privileged access security

CyberArk offers comprehensive privileged access security capabilities that help enterprises safeguard their most sensitive information and systems. This page explores how CyberArk protects privileged access and its core functions.

1. Discovery and onboarding

CyberArk provides automated privileged account detection and onboarding. Its Discovery and Audit module analyses a network for administrator accounts, including local and domain administrators and service and SSH keys, and creates an exhaustive list of accounts with high risk credentials that need more oversight or protection.

After privileged accounts are discovered, CyberArk onboards them into its Privileged Account Security Center, also known as the CyberArk Vault. Automation makes onboarding faster and more consistent, keeping high risk credentials up to date while removing vulnerabilities.

2. Managing access

CyberArk relies on finely controlled access restrictions and account management. Access control lets enterprises create strong security rules tailored to their own needs and industry norms, balancing access with protection.

The Central Policy Manager acts as the policy engine. It allows businesses to implement role based access controls, which separate duties by role and grant privileged access accordingly. The On Demand Privilege Manager issues temporary, time bound rights that shrink the attack surface and reduce the risk of standing privilege abuse.

3. Tracking and documenting sessions

Session monitoring and recording provides secure privileged access, real time control of user activity and proxying of sessions so users are limited to certain systems or tasks. Every privileged session is logged, letting enterprises run extensive audits or investigations.

Monitoring and recording sessions help businesses detect suspicious activity, confirm policy compliance and uncover internal risks or breaches in security policies. Session recording lets a business respond immediately when suspicious behaviour appears and keeps sensitive data and systems protected.

4. Generating and retaining passwords

CyberArk provides password management and rotation services that keep privileged account passwords strong, unique and up to date. The system automatically generates complex passwords that meet strict complexity requirements while avoiding reuse.

Privileged account passwords can be rotated on a regular schedule or whenever an employee accesses one, which reduces credential stuffing attacks and limits the harm done if an account is compromised.

5. Threat identification and response

CyberArk lets organisations detect and respond to sophisticated cyber attacks in real time. Its infrastructure includes behavioural analytics, machine learning and SIEM integration, alerting security teams automatically through user behaviour analysis and containing or mitigating attacks through automatic responses.

Advanced Persistent Threat attacks and other advanced cyber attacks need rapid identification and response to be secured effectively. By recognising and responding quickly, security improves considerably and these threats are defended against more effectively.

Related reading: the salon pages on open source software and research groups, and the source material at Microsoft on privileged access management and CyberArk training.