What is vendor privileged access management?

Vendor Privileged Access Management (VPAM) is a subset of Privileged Access Management (PAM) focused specifically on managing, controlling and monitoring the access that third-party vendors and contractors have to an organization's systems, networks and data. Since third-party vendors often need elevated privileges to perform their tasks, VPAM aims to ensure that this access is granted securely and is appropriately monitored to mitigate potential security risks.

PAM vs VPAM vs RPAM: What’s the difference?

Vendor Privileged Access Management (VPAM), Privileged Access Management (PAM) and Remote Privileged Access Management (RPAM) are all cybersecurity concepts that focus on controlling and securing access to critical systems and data. However, they each have distinct focuses and use cases.

Privileged Access Management (PAM)

PAM is a broad term that encompasses the management, control and monitoring of privileged access across an entire organization. It deals with internal users, such as administrators and IT staff, who need elevated permissions to perform their duties. The key features of PAM typically include:

Access control: Ensure that only authorized users have access to privileged accounts and resources.
Session monitoring: Track and record sessions to detect and respond to suspicious activities.
Password management: Manage and rotate passwords for privileged accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
Least privilege: Grant users only the minimum level of network access necessary to perform their jobs, and no more.

Vendor Privileged Access Management (VPAM)

VPAM is a subset of PAM that specifically focuses on managing, controlling and monitoring the privileged access that third-party vendors and contractors have to an organization's systems. The key features of VPAM typically include:

Granular access control: Limit vendors’ network access, following the principle of least privilege, to only what is necessary for their tasks.
Session monitoring and recording: Monitor and record vendor activities for auditing purposes.
Just-In-Time (JIT) access: Whenever possible, provide temporary, time-limited access to vendors.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Require vendors to use multiple forms of verification to authenticate into the organization’s network.

Remote Privileged Access Management (RPAM)

Despite its name, RPAM isn’t a subset of PAM, but rather a broader concept that focuses on managing and securing privileged access specifically when it is being used remotely. This is particularly relevant in scenarios where users such as IT administrators and DevOps personnel need to access systems from off-site locations.

The key features of RPAM typically mirror those of PAM and VPAM, including least privilege/granular access control, use of MFA, session recording and monitoring, and password management.

How vendor privileged access management works

VPAM works by implementing a series of processes, technologies and controls designed to manage, monitor and secure the access that third-party vendors and contractors have to an organization's critical systems and data. Here’s an example of a typical VPAM workflow:

Vendor onboarding: The vendor submits an access request to the organization, specifying the systems and data they need to access. The request is reviewed and approved by authorized personnel within the organization.
Vendor account creation: Once approved, the vendor is granted access using least privilege and JIT principles, ensuring access is temporary and limited to the necessary scope. Further, the vendor must enable MFA before they can access the organization’s system.
Monitoring and recording: Vendor activities are monitored in real time, and all sessions are recorded. Any suspicious activity triggers an alert for immediate investigation.
Auditing and reporting: Detailed logs and session recordings are reviewed regularly. Reports are generated for compliance purposes and to analyze vendor activity.
Auditing and reporting: Vendor access is revoked after the specified period or upon completion of the task. This process should be automated whenever possible.

The benefits of implementing vendor privileged access management

By implementing VPAM, organizations can effectively manage and secure the access that third-party vendors and contractors have to their critical systems and data, ensuring that this access is controlled, monitored and audited in line with best practices and regulatory requirements.

Specific benefits of implementing VPAM include:

Enhanced security: Robust VPAM practices reduce the risk of supply chain attacks that lead to data breaches.
Ensure regulatory compliance: VPAM helps organizations establish and maintain compliance with legal and industry regulations and standards.
Operational efficiency: VPAM streamlines vendor access management by automating many routine tasks, reducing administrative overhead.
Improved visibility: VPAM provides IT and security personnel with full visibility into who accessed what and when, and what actions they performed, aiding in incident response and forensic analysis.

Best practices for implementing vendor privileged access management

The following are some key best practices for implementing VPAM:

Thorough vendor onboarding

Implement a formal process for approving and reviewing vendor access requests, including thorough background checks and identity verification. Assign user roles based on the vendor’s responsibilities, ensuring least privilege access.

Automated workflows and integration

Whenever possible, use automated workflows to manage vendor access requests, approvals and revocations.

Robust password management and MFA

Require vendors to use strong, unique passwords and enforce the use of MFA to access systems. Whenever possible, provision vendor access on a JIT basis, for only the duration necessary for vendors to complete their task, and automatically revoke access afterward.

Session monitoring and recording

Continuously monitor vendor activities in real-time to detect and respond to suspicious activity, maintain a detailed activity log, and record all vendor sessions for audit and forensic purposes. Leverage AI and machine learning tools to enhance monitoring, detect anomalies and predict potential security threats.

Access reviews

Conduct regular vendor access permission reviews and adjust privileges as necessary based on the vendor’s current needs and job functions.

Risk assessment and mitigation

Regularly assess the risks associated with vendor access and implement appropriate controls to mitigate these risks. Develop and test incident response plans specifically for handling security incidents involving vendors.

Policy maintenance

Regularly review and update VPAM policies to adapt to evolving external threat environments, organizational needs and regulatory changes.

Thorough vendor offboarding

Implement a formal offboarding process to ensure that access is revoked and accounts are deactivated when a vendor’s services are no longer needed. Don’t forget to define procedures and follow policies for retaining or securely deleting data associated with the exiting vendor.