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Privileged Access Management vs Identity and Access Management

October 18, 2022

Privileged Access Management vs Identity and Access Management

There's a lot of buzz around Privileged Access Management (PAM) and Identity and Access Management (IAM) in the Cloud Governance space. These two terms are commonly discussed, and it can be confusing to understand the differences and similarities between them.

But don't worry, the Flare Compare Team is here to help you understand the key differences and which one you should choose for your cloud governance.

Privileged Access Management (PAM)

Privileged Access Management is a set of security policies, procedures, and technologies designed to restrict access to systems, applications, and data to only authorized individuals. PAM is used to protect the most sensitive information and critical systems in an organization.

PAM provides a comprehensive control and monitoring of privileged users' activities. The goal of PAM is to ensure that privileged access is only granted to authorized users and that their activities are logged, monitored, and audited.

Statistics:

  • 81% of data breaches involve weak or stolen passwords.
  • The average PAM solution costs anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000 a year, depending on the vendor and features.

Identity and Access Management (IAM)

Identity and Access Management is a framework of policies and technologies that manages digital identities across an organization. IAM governs access to applications, data, and other resources based on predefined business roles, policies, and security needs.

IAM is designed to manage user identities, roles, and access rights across a range of applications and systems. IAM helps organizations to ensure that only the right people have the right level of access to the right resources.

Statistics:

  • Global IAM market size is expected to reach $24.12 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 15.1%.
  • The average IAM solution cost ranges from $2 to $12 per user per month, depending on the vendor and features.

Privileged Access Management vs Identity and Access Management

The key difference between PAM and IAM is that PAM focuses on managing privileged access -- access to systems or applications with elevated privileges -- while IAM focuses on managing access of regular users.

In other words, PAM is a subset of IAM that provides enhanced control and monitoring of privileged users.

But, which one should you choose?

The answer depends on your organization's cloud governance needs.

If you have sensitive data or critical systems that require the utmost protection, then you should consider implementing PAM to manage privileged access.

If, on the other hand, you need to manage a large number of users across a range of applications and systems, then IAM is the way to go.

Ultimately, both PAM and IAM are critical components of a comprehensive cloud governance strategy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing between PAM and IAM largely depends on your organization's needs regarding cloud governance. Whether you decide to go with PAM or IAM, always ensure that you implement the policies, procedures, and technologies that best fit your organization's requirements.

Don't forget that cloud governance is crucial in achieving business objectives, maintaining regulatory compliance, and ensuring that your data and systems are secure.

We hope this comparison has helped you make an informed decision. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to us.

References

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