The most important facts in brief:
Privileged access management (PAM) is a central component of modern IT security strategies. However, many companies fail to answer the question: How great is the risk really – and what does an incident cost? Qlik creates transparency about privileged accounts and their activities, Corporate Planner translates this information into financial key figures such as potential damage, budgets or amortization periods. This article shows how IT and controlling can work together to create added value when it comes to PAM.
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Beratungstermin vereinbarenWhy Privileged Access Management is strategically important
Privileged Access Management (PAM) has long been more than just a technical control instrument – it is a key component of modern IT security strategies and a central lever for reducing business risks. Although the number of privileged accounts is low in many companies, their potential for attack is enormous. Superuser accounts, administrator functions or uncontrolled SSH keys in particular offer cyber criminals ideal entry points for gaining access to critical systems, sensitive data or entire IT infrastructures.
Threat from privileged accounts and superusers
Privileged users have far-reaching rights: they can configure systems, manage resources, bypass security mechanisms or change user accounts. A single compromised access can be enough to paralyze entire applications, encrypt files or permanently disrupt processes. The risk of misuse is considerable – especially if access controls, access rights or identities are not regularly checked and documented.
Points of attack, risks of abuse and economic impact
Companies often lack clear frameworks that define which roles are allowed to access which functions, systems or processes – let alone how these accesses are monitored. Standing privileges are particularly dangerous: permanently active accounts, often with far-reaching rights that no one checks regularly. This is where modern PAM solutions come in – with principles such as just-in-time access, multi-factor authentication, role-based access control and privileged session management.
The economic impact of misuse is considerable: in addition to direct damage to systems or IT infrastructures, there is the threat of legal consequences, loss of reputation and massive disruption to business processes. The requirements for PAM are therefore constantly increasing – from a regulatory (e.g. PCI DSS, GDPR), organizational (e.g. compliance) and technical (e.g. integration into IAM systems) perspective.
Role of PAM in the IT security architecture
PAM is no longer just part of IT – it is an integral part of information security, identity management and governance. It is at the heart of a comprehensive security framework that protects companies from targeted attacks, internal misuse risks and structural vulnerabilities.
Depending on the industry, IT landscape and complexity of the systems, the focus varies – but the goal is the same everywhere: regaining control over privileged access and actively managing risks.
Only around 5% of all user accounts are considered privileged – but they allow access to almost 100% of critical systems and data.
A compromised account can cost millions and have regulatory consequences. PAM solutions offer targeted protection here.
PAM basics & challenges in companies
Effective privileged access management (PAM) is essential today if companies want to strengthen their IT security, meet regulatory requirements and arm themselves against growing cyber threats. The importance lies not only in technical protection – but also in the strategic ability to keep access rights, authorizations and identities under control.
What PAM really means
PAM encompasses all processes, technologies and guidelines for managing and monitoring privileged accounts. These accounts grant access to sensitive systems, applications and data – for example by administrators, support teams, external service providers or automated processes. The central challenge: these accesses are critical, but often insufficiently documented, poorly protected or permanently active.
A modern PAM solution is based on the least privilege principle: each user only receives the rights they need for their task – no more, no less. Access is time-limited, traceable and embedded in a monitorable framework. In addition, mechanisms such as privileged identity management, access security via multi-factor authentication or AI-based anomaly detection are used.
Typical weaknesses and real risks
In practice, the same problems occur time and again:
Central PAM processes are either non-existent or fragmented. Authorizations grow historically, but are rarely reduced or reviewed. Privileged accounts are often managed manually, without a standardized toolset or central responsibility.
Especially in a digitally networked world – with hybrid infrastructures, remote work and cloud services – this insecurity is fatal. Cyber criminals who gain access to a privileged account often have unrestricted access to systems, configurations or even complete identity data. Even minor mistakes in the handling of SSH keys, inadequate access controls or a lack of segmentation can cost millions.
Challenges at the organizational level
In addition to the technical complexity, there are also organizational questions: Who is responsible for PAM? How do teams from IT, information security and compliance work together? What steps are required to set up a functional PAM framework – from comparing providers to company-wide integration?
The introduction of a privileged access management strategy therefore requires not only tools, but also clear processes, employee training, structured role allocation and sustainable anchoring in the security concept.
Creating visibility with Qlik
The biggest weakness of many PAM strategies lies not in the technology – but in the lack of transparency. Companies often do not know who has accessed what and when, which activities are normal and which are potentially critical. This is exactly where Qlik comes in: The platform makes access, roles, anomalies and user behaviour visible – in real time, visualized and contextualized.
Recognize access patterns, roles and risks
Qlik brings order to the world of privileged accounts: By connecting to systems such as IAM, AD or PAM, access rights can be displayed and analyzed in a structured manner. This allows companies to see at a glance:
- Which users have which rights – on which systems, in which roles?
- Which access patterns deviate from the expected behavior?
- Which accounts are particularly risky – for example due to missing MFA, high rights or inactive use?
By combining data sources and interactive visualization, critical weak points can be specifically identified and prioritized.
Just-in-time access and session monitoring
Another application scenario is the analysis of just-in-time access: Who has been granted temporary elevated rights? When were they activated – and how long were they used? Qlik makes it possible to visualize these activities at user or role level and correlate them with other security data.
Qlik also makes session monitoring of privileged access traceable: Which commands were executed, which systems were accessed, which data was retrieved? In conjunction with Privileged Session Management, unusual activities can be detected at an early stage – before they cause damage.
Integration into existing system landscapes
Qlik can be easily integrated into existing IT infrastructures – whether via APIs, data streams or existing reporting systems. Both on-premise systems, cloud solutions and hybrid architectures can be connected. The analysis is role-based and can be tailored precisely to the needs of IT, security, controlling or compliance.
This creates a central data basis with which PAM information can not only be monitored, but also used strategically – as a basis for decisions, planning and investments.
Qlik makes privileged access analyzable: who, when, where, for how long and with what risk – all this becomes tangible through data visualization.
In this way, companies not only recognize attack surfaces, but also receive concrete control signals for planning, control and investment protection.
From access to impact – Corporate Planner in action
While tools such as Qlik provide operational visibility, the strategic value of privileged access management solutions lies in combining technical access with financial and organizational implications. This is where Corporate Planner comes into play: the platform translates technical access rights, anomalies or risk assessments into business-relevant key figures – comprehensible, comparable, controllable.
From risk signal to budget decision
Corporate Planner allows privileged access to be embedded in existing controlling and planning structures: What are the costs of privileged access? What is the expected damage in the event of misuse? What investment in security pays off in the long term?
These correlations can be visualized and modelled using defined evaluation criteria. For example, an unsecured superuser account is not only recognized as a risk, but also considered a potential cost centre – with expected effects on data loss, production downtime or regulatory sanctions.
Evaluation of privileged activities
Corporate Planner can be used to evaluate, compare and classify privileged activities. The combination of access type, frequency, technical risk and expected damage results in a prioritization model that companies can use to plan targeted measures – whether additional security, employee training, investments in automation or changes to authorization concepts.
| Access type | Risk class | Expected impact |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent admin access | High | Potential system downtime, compliance risk |
| Just-in-time access (MFA) | Medium | Low attack surface, limited in time |
| External service provider | High | Data outflow, liability risks |
| Developers with root access | High | Loss of productive data, unauthorized changes |
| Read access to logs | Low | Hardly any operational influence |
Best practices for an integrated PAM strategy
A privileged access management system is only as effective as its integration into the overall architecture of the security strategy. Simply introducing a solution without a structural link to processes, roles and responsibilities is often ineffective. For this reason, certain best practices have been established that companies should consistently follow when implementing an integrated PAM strategy.
Design context-based access controls
The definition of access rights must be role-based, task-specific and dynamic. It is essential that access is not granted permanently, but only when required in accordance with the least privilege principle – for example through just-in-time access combined with multi-factor authentication. These measures significantly increase security and minimize the potential attack surface.
Protection against internal weaknesses and external attacks
PAM not only protects against hacker attacks, but also against unintentional misuse or negligence in the handling of privileged rights. The greatest risks are often not caused by external attacks, but by internal errors, inadequate training or historically evolved rights assignments. For this reason, technical protection also includes regular checks, recertification and document-supported deletion of inactive or no longer required accounts.
Advantages of an integrated strategy
A strategically anchored PAM concept offers clear advantages:
- Uniform administration and control of privileged access
- Better traceability of activities
- Higher maturity level of the IT security architecture
- Fewer attack surfaces thanks to temporary, controlled authorizations
- Basis for robust safety and risk management
Particularly in German-speaking companies, where compliance requirements are constantly increasing and the maturity of the IT security infrastructure often varies greatly, a structured PAM concept is increasingly becoming an indispensable basis.#
1. identification
Recording of all privileged accounts, user roles, systems and applications – including Shadow IT.
2. categorization
Risk assessment according to access type, function, criticality and potential for misuse. Basis for prioritization.
3. integration
Connection to existing IAM, AD, ticket or SIEM systems. Setting up central PAM policies.
4. control
Introduction of just-in-time access, multi-factor authentication, session monitoring and audit logs.
5. reporting
Regular reporting, risk analyses, KPIs and strategic integration in IT and security controlling.
Success factors, stumbling blocks and lessons learned
The introduction of a Privileged Access Management system is not an IT project in the traditional sense – it affects compliance, security, processes and the entire organization. Companies that have successfully implemented PAM clearly show what is important – and which typical pitfalls should be avoided.
What characterizes successful projects
The key success factors include:
- Early involvement of all stakeholders, from IT to auditing
- Clear project responsibility and sufficient resources
- Recording requirements not only technically, but also in terms of processes
- Piloting in critical areas with high visibility
- Combination of technical implementation and change management
Companies that see PAM as part of their security culture and not just as a compliance measure achieve faster rollout, higher acceptance and measurable effects.
Avoid typical stumbling blocks
Failures in PAM projects can often be traced back to the same causes:
- Project is anchored solely in IT, without support from the specialist departments
- Focus is only on tool selection, not on process design
- Lack of monitoring after implementation
- Rights are imported, but not valued or reduced
- Employees are not trained – which only shifts risks
Especially with privileged accounts, security awareness must be anchored in everyday working life. A well-configured system is of little use if users do not understand the concept or circumvent it.
Learnings from practice
PAM is not a static project – it is a continuous improvement process. Successful organizations regularly evaluate their configuration, introduce review cycles and link PAM with other security, compliance and BI systems such as Qlik and Corporate Planner. This is the only way to create a closed control loop: from detection and control to the strategic evaluation of access and risks.
PAM as a management tool in the digital age
Privileged access management is much more than a technical security tool – it is a central control instrument for organizations that want to future-proof their information security, compliance and risk management. At a time when digital identities, cloud infrastructures and hybrid working models are massively expanding access to critical resources, clear principles are needed: Transparency, control and accountability.
Companies that use PAM strategically not only create security, but also gain predictability – in the budget, in the allocation of resources and in the prioritization of security investments. In combination with Qlik and Corporate Planner, PAM not only becomes controllable, but also assessable: risks become visible, effects quantifiable, decisions resilient.
This means that PAM is evolving from a pure IT security module into an active component of an entrepreneurial management and control logic. If you start today, you can not only avoid risks in the future – you can systematically get them under control.
