What is Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management (PEDM)?

What is Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management (PEDM)? About us Investors Partners Careers Solutions SOLUTIONS Zero Trust Suite Quantum-Safe Cryptography (QSC) SalaX Secure Collaboration Security Risk Assessment, Quantification & Mitigation By Topic Just-in-Time Access Secure vendor access Credentials & Secrets Management Hybrid & multi-cloud access management Interactive tour: Privileged Access in the Cloud M2M connections IT Audits & Compliance Secure file transfer By Industry Managed Service Providers (MSP) Operational Technology (OT) Federal Government Security Products SECURE ACCESS & SECRETS MANAGEMENT SECURE FILE TRANSFER & ENCRYPTION NQX™ quantum-ready encryption Tectia™ SSH Client/Server Tectia™ z/OS SalaX Secure Collaboration Secure Mail 2024 Secure Messaging 2024 SalaX Secure Collaboration Solutions SOLUTIONS PrivX Zero Trust Suite SalaX Secure Collaboration Strong ID-based access with Entra ID & Zero Trust Suite Quantum-Safe Cryptography (QSC) Security Risk Assessment, Quantification & Mitigation Device trust & access and identity verification Identity-based authentication & converged IAM and PAM TOPICS Just-in-Time Access Secure vendor access Credentials & Secrets Management Hybrid & Multi-Cloud Access Management Interactive tour: Privileged Access in the Cloud M2M Connections Management IT Audits & Compliance Secure File Transfer INDUSTRIES Managed Service Providers (MSP) Operational Technology (OT) Federal Government Security Healthcare Data Security OT Security IT/OT convergence of data & systems Zero Trust Access and ZSP Workflow approvals Secure remote access  Secure patch management  OT Compliance Discovery and threat intelligence Phishing-resistant MFA & device trust Products SalaX SECURE COLLABORATION Secure Mail Secure Messaging Secure Sign SalaX Secure Collaboration FQX File Encryptor SECURE ACCESS & SECRETS MANAGEMENT PrivX™ PAM PrivX™ OT Edition PrivX Key Manager SECURE FILE TRANSFER & ENCRYPTION Tectia™ SSH Server Tectia™ SSH Server for IBM z/OS PrivX Desktop NQX™ quantum-safe encryption Services SSH Risk Assessment™ Professional Services Support Contact us Customer cases PrivX Zero Trust PAM Enterprise Key Management UKM Tectia SFTP for servers & mainframes SSH Secure Collaboration Resources SSH Academy Content library Blog References Press releases Downloads Manuals Events & Webinars Media Legal Report a vulnerability Solutions SOLUTIONS PrivX Zero Trust Suite SalaX Secure Collaboration Strong ID-based access with Entra ID & Zero Trust Suite Quantum-Safe Cryptography (QSC) Security Risk Assessment, Quantification & Mitigation Device trust & access and identity verification Identity-based authentication & converged IAM and PAM TOPICS Just-in-Time Access Secure vendor access Credentials & Secrets Management Hybrid & Multi-Cloud Access Management Interactive tour: Privileged Access in the Cloud M2M Connections Management IT Audits & Compliance Secure File Transfer INDUSTRIES Managed Service Providers (MSP) Operational Technology (OT) Federal Government Security Healthcare Data Security OT Security IT/OT convergence of data & systems Zero Trust Access and ZSP Workflow approvals Secure remote access  Secure patch management  OT Compliance Discovery and threat intelligence Phishing-resistant MFA & device trust Products SalaX SECURE COLLABORATION Secure Mail Secure Messaging Secure Sign SalaX Secure Collaboration FQX File Encryptor SECURE ACCESS & SECRETS MANAGEMENT PrivX™ PAM PrivX™ OT Edition PrivX Key Manager SECURE FILE TRANSFER & ENCRYPTION Tectia™ SSH Server Tectia™ SSH Server for IBM z/OS PrivX Desktop NQX™ quantum-safe encryption Services SSH Risk Assessment™ Professional Services Support Contact us Customer cases PrivX Zero Trust PAM Enterprise Key Management UKM Tectia SFTP for servers & mainframes SSH Secure Collaboration Resources SSH Academy Content library Blog References Press releases Downloads Manuals Events & Webinars Media Legal Report a vulnerability About us Investors Partners Careers SSH Academy Cloud Cloud Access Management Cloud Applications Cloud Computing Cloud Computing Models Cloud Computing Pros and Cons Cloud Computing Security Cloud Computing Services: Characteristics Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM) Cloud Security Buyer's Guide Cloud Security Maturity Model Cloud Service Providers IaaS Immutable Infrastructure in Modern IT PaaS SaaS Virtualization Technology Compliance Cybersecurity Compliance Basics of SSH Compliance Basics of SSH Key Compliance Basel III Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) Ensuring ISO 27001 with PAM Fips 200 GDPR HIPAA ISACA ISO 27001 NIS Directive A Guide to NIS2 Directive NIST Cybersecurity Framework NIST 2.0 Cybersecurity Framework NIST 7966 NIST 800-53 PCI-DSS Sans Top 20 Sarbanes Oxley Understanding PAM Standards Cryptography Cryptography Explained Cryptography and the Quantum Threat Encryption Key Management Private & Public Keys Quantum Computing & Post-Quantum Algorithms What is File Encryption? Identity and Access Management (IAM) What is Identity and Access Management (IAM)? What is IAM Zero Trust Framework? What is Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)? A Guide to Zero Trust Architecture Active Directory Entra ID by Microsoft Ephemeral Certificates & Ephemeral Access Gartner CARTA How PAM Complements Existing IAM IAM vs PAM Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) Identity Management Jump Server Just-in-Time Access Just-in-Time Security Tokens Key IAM Concepts for IT Professionals Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) OpenID Connect (OIDC) Privileged Identity Management (PIM) Radius Sudo User Account Types User IDs Unified IAM-PAM solution Internet of Things (IoT) IoT Security IoT: Accessing IoT devices for SSH What is IIoT? Operational Technology What is OT Security? Best OT Security Solutions Best Practices for Secure Remote OT Access Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity: Key Concepts Explained How to Safeguard Your OT Network Without Separate IT/OT Solutions How to Secure IoT and OT Systems: A Practical Guide ICS OT Security Industrial Automation Cybersecurity: Key Considerations and Risks IT vs OT Navigating OT Security Standards OT, ICS, SCADA explained OT Risk Management: What It Is and Why You Need It OT Security Assessment OT Security Best Practices OT Security Essentials OT Governance: Key Principles for Effective Implementation PAM and IACS Integration PAM & IEC 62443 Access Control Standards PAM for Energy Sector PAM for Manufacturing PrivX for Energy Sector PrivX for Forestry Industry Remote Diagnostics for Ships Remote Maintenance of Pulp&Paper Machines SCADA Security Essentials: Your Need-to-Know Guide What Is OT Monitoring and Why Is It Important? What is the IT/OT Convergence? Why Is Zero Trust Access Important in OT? Password and Secrets Management A Guide to Passwordless and Keyless Authentication Break-Glass Access Credential Management System Password and Key Rotation Password Attack Types Password Generator Password Strength Best Practices Password Vaults Passwordless Authentication - Advantages Passwordless Authentication - Implementation Passwordless Explained pt. 1 Passwordless Explained pt. 2 Secrets Management Guide Secrets Vault Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) Privileged Access Management AI in PAM for Predictive Security Automating PAM Best PAM Solutions 2025 Comparing PAM Solutions Challenges in Cross-Platform PAM Integrating PAM with SIEM KPIs for PAM Least Privilege PAM Best Practices PAM Checklist PAM Enhances Remote Work Security PAM Lifecycle Management PAM Vendors: Must-Have Capabilities for Effective Access Control Privileged Access Management (PAM) Privileged Access Management (PAM) in the Cloud PrivX MFA The Strategic Role of PAM PAM - IT Benefits for Different Industries PAM for Pharmaceuticals Data Security PAM for Healthcare PrivX PA; for Financial Industry Data PrivX PAM for Government and Public Sector PrivX PAM for Healthcare Industry PrivX PAM for Manufacturing PrivX PAM for Media and Entertainment Industry PrivX PAM for Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Data Privileged Accounts and Sessions Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management Privileged Account PrivX Against Privileged Account Hijacking Privileged Account and Session Management (PASM) Root Accounts Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) What is Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)? PKI Background PKI Certificates X.509 Certificates Secure Information Sharing (SIS) Business Email Compromise (BEC) Business Email Compromise: How to Prevent BEC Attacks Digital Signatures Email Phishing Enterprise Email Security Secure Data Sharing Secure Email Gateways (SEGs) Secure Shell (SSH) What is Secure Shell (SSH)? What is the Secure Shell (SSH) Protocol? Automated M2M Connections Network Monitoring OpenSSH OpenSSH Server Process (SSHD) Port 22 Remote File Copy (RCP) Remote Login (rlogin) Remote Shell (RSH) Secure File Copy (SCP) Session Key Single Sign-On (SSO) Using SSH Agent SSH Command SSH Configuration SSH for Windows SSH Software Downloads SSH Server SSH Server Configuration Tectia SSH Server Telnet WinSCP SSH protocol Vs Microsoft: A Comprehensive Guide Security Orchestration Basics of Security Orchestration Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Security Operations Center (SOC) Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) SFTP & Secure Remote Access File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Clients File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Legacy File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Servers Obsolescent Secure File Transfer Protocol (FTPS) Secure Remote Access (SRA) SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) SSH Clients What are SSH Clients? Tectia SSH Client PuTTY Background PuTTY Download PuTTY for Linux PuTTY for Mac PuTTY for Windows PuTTY for Windows Installation PuTTY Public Keys PuTTYgen for Linux PuTTYgen for Windows SSH Keys A Basic Overview of SSH Keys Authorized Key Authorized Keys File Authorized Keys in OpenSSH CAC and PIV Smartcards Copy ID Passphrase Passphrase Generator Public Key Authentication SSH Host Key SSH Key SSH Key Identities SSH Key Management SSH Key Proliferation SSH Keys for SSO SSH Keygen SSH Tunneling SSH Tunneling SSH Tunneling Example Hacks, Threats & Vulnerabilities BothanSpy & Gyrafalcon Breaches in Operational Technology Breaches Involving Passwords & Credentials GoScanSSH Malware Man-in-the-Middle Prevent Data Exfiltration with PrivX PAM PrivX PAM Against Malware & Ransomware Password Sniffing PEDM - Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management  

Contents What is Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management?Granular privilege restrictions What problem does PEDM solve?PEDM prevents unintended privilege escalationPEDM protects against privilege escalation attacksA good PEDM system makes privilege management effortlessHow PEDM worksKey components of PEDMEndpoint Least Privilege ManagementServer and Infrastructure Privilege ManagementBenefits of PEDM What is Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management (PEDM)? Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management (PEDM) solutions are a class of privileged access management (PAM) solutions that are designed to grant user access to privileged corporate environments on a granular basis.

In 2017, analysts at Gartner divided the PAM market into two primary solution groups: Privileged Account and Session Management (PASM) and PEDM. PEDM solutions aim to improve upon the limitations of PASM solutions, which offer temporary admin access on an “all-or-nothing” basis.

Granular privilege restrictions Granular privilege restrictions refer to the precise control over user permissions within a system. Unlike broad access controls, granular privileges allow administrators to specify exactly what actions each user can perform. This fine-tuned approach is crucial for maintaining security.

One key differentiator between PEDM and PASM (Privileged Access Security Management) is this level of detail in permission settings. While both aim to manage privileged accounts, PEDM focuses on restricting access at a more detailed level. This ensures that users only have the least privilege necessary to perform their tasks.

By implementing granular privilege restrictions, organizations can significantly improve their security posture. Overprivileged users with standing privileges pose a risk because they have more access than needed, which could be exploited by malicious actors or result in accidental data breaches. With these detailed controls, you reduce such risks and maintain tighter security across your systems.

What problems does PEDM solve? On occasion, a user may need temporary access to secure IT resources that they typically would not have access to. On these occasions, organizations need a way to grant and them immediately revoke that access, because even a temporary admin account is just as much at risk to being stolen or compromised as a full admin account would be.

PASM solutions typically grant temporary admin access via a password vault. The password vaulting system grants the user access to the required server and then logs all of their activity during that admin session for monitoring purposes. Once the session is done, the admin access is revoked.

The problem with PASM solutions is that they typically grant access on an “all-or-nothing” basis, so the temporary administrator account would be able to access everything on the target server, even the applications or scripts the user doesn't actually need or should be prohibited from accessing. If those temporary credentials were compromised, a bad actor would have unfettered access to the target server during the open session.

PEDM seeks to solve this challenge by eliminating the need for admin accounts and granting access to secure resources on a more granular basis.

PEDM prevents unintended privilege escalation Unintended privilege escalation happens when users gain access to higher-level permissions than they should have. This can occur due to misconfigurations or errors in the system.

PEDM tools help prevent unintended privilege escalation by enforcing strict controls over who gets elevated rights and under what conditions. For example, if a user needs temporary admin access for a specific task, PEDM ensures that this elevation is time-based and purpose-specific.

Consider scenarios where an employee accidentally receives administrative privileges due to a role change or system glitch. Without PEDM, these elevated rights could lead to internal threats like unauthorized data access or changes in critical settings. By using PEDM, organizations can set clear boundaries and automate checks that minimize such risks.

By managing privileges effectively, you reduce the chances of accidental security breaches within your organization.

PEDM protects against privilege escalation attacks Privilege escalation attacks occur when threat actors gain elevated access rights within a system. These attacks can lead to severe security breaches. PEDM defends against these threats by implementing specific controls that limit the ability of attackers to exploit vulnerabilities.

Common methods used in privilege escalation attacks include exploiting software bugs, misconfigurations, and social engineering tactics. By using PEDM, organizations can mitigate these risks through continuous monitoring and stringent access policies.

PEDM's robust defense mechanisms ensure that even if an attacker gains initial access, they cannot easily escalate their privileges further. This significantly reduces the potential damage from such attacks and strengthens overall cybersecurity posture.

A good PEDM system makes privilege management effortless Effective PEDM systems are designed to be user-friendly. They simplify the complex task of managing privileges across an organization. Automation plays a key role here, reducing manual efforts and minimizing errors.

Policy management is another crucial aspect. It allows you to set rules that automatically govern who gets access to what resources and when. This makes it easier for administrators to enforce security policies consistently.

Robust PEDM systems also come with advanced management tools. These tools streamline the process of assigning, monitoring, and revoking privileges as needed. The result? Managing privileges becomes a seamless part of your daily operations.

By integrating automation, policy management, and advanced tools, a good PEDM system ensures that privilege management is not just effective but also effortless.

How PEDM works PEDM solutions typically aim to eliminate admin accounts altogether, instead allowing sysadmins to operate with regular user accounts. Sysadmins are granted admin privileges only to the individual applications, scripts, or tasks that they need to manage. As a result, it’s easier for organizations to reduce or eliminate the number of accounts within their network that have any sort of admin access, which reduces the attack surface and the risk of external threats or human error.

Key components of PEDM Endpoint Least Privilege Management Endpoint least privilege management focuses on limiting user privileges on endpoints, such as laptops and desktops. This approach ensures that users and machines only have the access they need to perform their tasks.

By applying least privilege principles to endpoints, organizations can reduce the risk of unauthorized actions. For example, restricting local admin rights prevents users from installing unapproved software or making system changes that could introduce vulnerabilities.

Limiting endpoint privileges helps protect sensitive data and reduces the attack surface for potential threats. It also simplifies compliance with security policies by ensuring consistent control over endpoint activities and regular access reviews.

Server and Infrastructure Privilege Management Server and infrastructure privilege management involves controlling access rights on servers and other critical IT resources. This ensures that only authorized users can perform specific actions, reducing the risk of unauthorized changes or data breaches.

Managing privileges on servers is crucial for maintaining a secure environment. It includes setting up role-based access controls (RBAC) to define what each user can do based on their job function. For example, an administrator might have full control over server settings, while a regular user has limited access.

Securing server and infrastructure privileges helps protect enterprise resources from internal threats and external attacks. By carefully managing who has access to sensitive systems, organizations can prevent misuse of privileged accounts and enhance overall security posture.

Benefits of PEDM Implementing Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management (PEDM) offers several security benefits. One key advantage is the reduction of risks associated with unauthorized access. By controlling who can elevate privileges, PEDM ensures that only authorized users gain higher-level access when necessary.

PEDM also improves operational efficiency. Automated processes streamline privilege management tasks, reducing the workload on IT staff. This allows teams to focus on more strategic initiatives rather than manual oversight.

Compliance is another significant benefit provided by PEDM. Many regulations require strict control over privileged accounts and access levels. A robust PEDM system helps organizations meet these requirements by providing detailed logs and reports for audits.

Additional benefits include improved auditability and monitoring capabilities. With comprehensive reporting features, you can track all privilege elevation activities in real-time, making it easier to identify suspicious behavior quickly.

FAQ What is the definition of Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management in the context of IT security? Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management (PEDM) refers to the processes and technologies used to control and monitor elevated access and permissions within an IT environment. It ensures that users and systems only have the necessary privileges for specific tasks, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and potential security breaches.

What is the role of just-in-time access in enhancing compliance and mitigating risks associated with compromised admin accounts in PEDM? Just-in-time access plays a crucial role in PEDM by providing temporary admin access as needed, rather than permanent elevated privileges. This approach minimizes the attack surface by reducing the number of accounts with constant high-level access, thus enhancing compliance with security policies and mitigating risks associated with potentially compromised admin accounts.

How does self-service elevation align with best practices in cybersec for managing admin accounts within PEDM frameworks? Self-service elevation aligns with cybersecurity best practices by allowing users to request elevated privileges on an as-needed basis. This method is monitored and controlled through automated approval workflows, which ensures that elevation is granted according to predefined policies, reducing the likelihood of abuse or error and ensuring a traceable, compliant process for managing admin accounts.

How do IT tools enhance the security measures against hackers in Privilege Elevation and Delegation Management? IT tools enhance security in PEDM by automating the enforcement of policies, monitoring privilege use, and detecting unusual activities that could indicate a breach. These tools provide essential capabilities like logging, real-time alerts, and detailed reports that help identify and respond to potential threats from hackers, ensuring that privilege elevation and delegation are securely managed.

SSH is a leading defensive cybersecurity company that secures communications between humans, systems, and networks. We specialize in Zero Trust Privileged Access Controls and Quantum Safe Network Security. Our customers include a diverse range of enterprises, from multiple Fortune 500 companies to SMBs across various sectors such as Finance, Retail, Technology, Industrial, Healthcare, and Government. 25% of Fortune 100 companies rely on SSH’s solutions. Recent strategic focus has expanded SSH business to Defence, Critical Infrastructure Operators, Manufacturing OT Security and Public Safety.

Leonardo S.p.A invests 20.0 million EUR in SSH, becoming the largest shareholder of the company. SSH solutions form a Center of Excellence for Zero Trust privileged access management and quantum-safe network encryption in Leonardo - a global industrial group that creates multi-domain technological capabilities in the Aerospace, Defence and Security sector with 17.8 billion EUR revenue in 2024. SSH company’s shares (SSH1V) are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.

 

Solutions Zero Trust Suite Zero Trust Suite & Entra ID Integration Quantum-Safe Cryptography (QSC) SalaX Secure Collaboration Security Risk Mitigation OT security MSP Security Device Trust Monitoring & Threat Intelligence Credentials & Secrets Management IT Audits & Compliance Products PrivX™ Hybrid PAM PrivX Key Manager Tectia SSH Client/Server™ Tectia™ z/OS Secure Messaging Secure Mail Secure Sign NQX™ Quantum-Safe Services SSH Risk Assessment™ Professional Services Support Resources Careers References Downloads Manuals Events & Webinars Blog Company About us Contact Investors Partners Press Stay on top of the latest in cybersecurity Be the first to know about SSH’s new solutions, product updates, new features, and other SSH news!

Thanks for submitting the form. © Copyright SSH • 2025 • Legal