Entra ID - Privileged Identity Management (PIM)

Azure Active Directory Privileged Identity Management (Azure AD PIM)

• Is a service in Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) that helps organizations manage, control, and monitor access to important resources within Azure AD, Azure, and other Microsoft Online Services.
• PIM enhances security by enabling just-in-time privileged access, limiting the duration and scope of elevated access, and providing comprehensive monitoring and auditing capabilities.

Key Features of Azure AD PIM

1. Just-in-Time Privileged Access
   • Users can elevate their permissions to perform specific tasks for a limited period, reducing the risk of prolonged exposure to privileged roles.
2. Approval Workflow
   • Elevation of privileges can require approval from designated reviewers, adding an additional layer of security and oversight.
3. Time-Bound Access
   • Privileged roles can be assigned for a specific duration, ensuring that elevated permissions are automatically revoked after the set period.
4. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
   • Require MFA for role activation to ensure that only authenticated users can elevate their privileges.
5. Notification and Alerts
   • Receive notifications and alerts for privileged role activations, ensuring that administrators are aware of all privileged activities.
6. Comprehensive Auditing
   • Detailed logs of all activities related to privileged roles, including activations, approvals, and usage, are maintained for auditing and compliance purposes.
7. Access Reviews
   • Conduct regular reviews of privileged roles to ensure that only necessary and appropriate access is maintained.
8. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
   • Define and assign roles based on the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users have only the access necessary for their job functions.
9. Integration with Conditional Access
   • Enforce conditional access policies for privileged role activations, such as requiring access from specific locations or devices.

How Azure AD PIM Works

1. Role Assignment
   • Eligible Roles: Users are assigned roles on an eligible basis, meaning they do not have active privileges until they explicitly request to activate them.
   • Active Roles: When users activate their eligible roles, they temporarily gain the privileges associated with those roles for a specified period.
2. Role Activation
   • Self-Service Activation: Users can activate their eligible roles as needed, often requiring justification and MFA.
   • Approval Workflow: Some roles may require approval from a manager or security administrator before activation.
3. Monitoring and Auditing
   • Activity Logs: Track and review all actions taken by privileged roles, including activations, approvals, and role usage.
   • Alerts: Configure alerts for unusual or suspicious activities related to privileged access.

Benefits of Using Azure AD PIM

1. Enhanced Security
   • Reduces the risk of long-term exposure to high-privilege accounts by providing just-in-time access.
   • Incorporates MFA and approval workflows to ensure secure access to privileged roles.
2. Improved Compliance
   • Helps organizations meet regulatory and compliance requirements by providing detailed auditing and reporting capabilities.
   • Supports access reviews to regularly validate the necessity of privileged roles.
3. Operational Efficiency
   • Simplifies the management of privileged access by automating the elevation and expiration of privileges.
   • Reduces the administrative overhead associated with manually managing privileged accounts.
4. Risk Mitigation
   • Minimizes the potential for abuse of privileged accounts by limiting the duration and scope of elevated access.
   • Provides real-time monitoring and alerts to detect and respond to potential security incidents promptly.