Privileged Account Management focuses on implementing policies, controls, and tools to securely manage privileged accounts (e.g., SYSTEM, root, or administrative accounts). This includes restricting access, limiting the scope of permissions, monitoring privileged account usage, and ensuring accountability through logging and auditing.

• Implement RBAC and least privilege principles to allocate permissions securely.
• Use tools like Active Directory Group Policies to enforce access restrictions.

• Deploy password vaulting tools like CyberArk, HashiCorp Vault, or KeePass for secure storage and rotation of credentials.
• Enforce password policies for complexity, uniqueness, and expiration using tools like Microsoft Group Policy Objects (GPO).

• Enforce MFA for all privileged accounts using Duo Security, Okta, or Microsoft Azure AD MFA.

• Use PAM solutions like CyberArk, BeyondTrust, or Thycotic to manage, monitor, and audit privileged access.

• Integrate activity monitoring into your SIEM (e.g., Splunk or QRadar) to detect and alert on anomalous privileged account usage.

• Deploy JIT solutions like Azure Privileged Identity Management (PIM) or configure ephemeral roles in AWS and GCP to grant time-limited elevated permissions.

• CyberArk, BeyondTrust, Thycotic, HashiCorp Vault.

• Microsoft LAPS (Local Admin Password Solution), Password Safe, HashiCorp Vault, KeePass.

• Duo Security, Okta, Microsoft Azure MFA, Google Authenticator.

• sudo configuration, SELinux, AppArmor.

• Azure Privileged Identity Management (PIM), AWS IAM Roles with session constraints, GCP Identity-Aware Proxy.

Set and enforce secure password policies for accounts to reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access. Strong password policies include enforcing password complexity, requiring regular password changes, and preventing password reuse.

• Minimum password length (e.g., 12+ characters).
• Password complexity requirements.
• Password history (e.g., disallow last 24 passwords).
• Account lockout duration and thresholds.

• Use pam_pwquality to enforce complexity and length requirements.
• Implement pam_tally2 or pam_faillock for account lockouts.
• Use pwunconv to disable password reuse.

• Enforce usage of enterprise password managers (e.g., Bitwarden, 1Password, LastPass) to generate and store strong passwords.

• Use tools like Have I Been Pwned password checks or NIST-based blacklist solutions to prevent users from setting compromised passwords.

• Periodically audit password policies and account configurations to ensure compliance using tools like LAPS (Local Admin Password Solution) and vulnerability scanners.

• Group Policy Management Console (GPMC): Enforce password policies.
• Microsoft Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS): Enforce random, unique admin passwords.

• PAM Modules (pam_pwquality, pam_tally2, pam_faillock): Enforce password rules.
• Lynis: Audit password policies and system configurations.

• Password Managers (Bitwarden, 1Password, KeePass): Manage and enforce strong passwords.
• Have I Been Pwned API: Prevent the use of breached passwords.
• NIST SP 800-63B compliant tools: Enforce password guidelines and blacklisting.

Software updates ensure systems are protected against known vulnerabilities by applying patches and upgrades provided by vendors. Regular updates reduce the attack surface and prevent adversaries from exploiting known security gaps. This includes patching operating systems, applications, drivers, and firmware.

• Implementation: Apply the latest Windows security updates monthly using WSUS (Windows Server Update Services) or a similar patch management solution. Configure systems to check for updates automatically and schedule reboots during maintenance windows.
• Use Case: Prevents exploitation of OS vulnerabilities such as privilege escalation or remote code execution. Application Patching.
• Implementation: Monitor Apache's update release notes for security patches addressing vulnerabilities. Schedule updates for off-peak hours to avoid downtime while maintaining security compliance.
• Use Case: Prevents exploitation of web application vulnerabilities, such as those leading to unauthorized access or data breaches. Firmware Updates.
• Implementation: Regularly check the vendor’s website for firmware updates addressing vulnerabilities. Plan for update deployment during scheduled maintenance to minimize business disruption.
• Use Case: Protects against vulnerabilities that adversaries could exploit to gain access to network devices or inject malicious traffic. Emergency Patch Deployment.
• Implementation: Use the emergency patch deployment feature of the organization's patch management tool to apply updates to all affected Exchange servers within 24 hours.
• Use Case: Reduces the risk of exploitation by rapidly addressing critical vulnerabilities. Centralized Patch Management.
• Implementation: Implement a centralized patch management system, such as SCCM or ManageEngine, to automate and track patch deployment across all environments. Generate regular compliance reports to ensure all systems are updated.
• Use Case: Streamlines patching processes and ensures no critical systems are missed.

• WSUS: Manage and deploy Microsoft updates across the organization.
• ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus: Automate patch deployment for OS and third-party apps.
• Ansible: Automate updates across multiple platforms, including Linux and Windows.

• OpenVAS: Open-source vulnerability scanning to identify missing patches.