Definition
Privileged Access Management (PAM) is the set of policies, processes and mechanisms used to control, monitor and secure accounts with elevated permissions.
Human Explanation
PAM protects administrator accounts and other accounts with broad permissions because their compromise may cause serious security incidents.
Why it Matters
Privileged accounts provide access to an organisation's most important Assets and therefore require additional protection and oversight.
Conceptual Boundary
PAM is not limited to storing administrator passwords. It covers the privileged access lifecycle, including permission assignment, session monitoring and activity recording.
Practical Perspective
The safest privileged account has only the permissions it needs and is used only when privileged access is genuinely required.