Understanding the architecture of CyberArk Privileged Access Management (PAM) technology is critical for effectively securing privileged accounts and managing privileged access. CyberArk’s architecture is designed to be scalable, modular, and secure, consisting of several key components that work together to protect, monitor, and control privileged access.
Here’s an overview of the CyberArk PAM architecture and its key components:
1. Core Components of CyberArk PAM Architecture
A. Digital Vault (Centralized Secure Repository)
• Purpose: The heart of CyberArk’s PAM solution, the Digital Vault securely stores privileged credentials, passwords, and secrets.
• Security: The Vault is highly secure, using encryption and access controls to protect the sensitive data inside.
• Functions:
• Stores credentials, policies, and session logs.
• Provides backup and recovery functionality.
• Uses encryption keys and advanced cryptographic techniques.
• Communication: The Vault communicates with other components over encrypted channels (SSL/TLS) to maintain security.
B. Password Vault Web Access (PVWA)
• Purpose: This is the web-based interface used by administrators and end-users to interact with the Vault.
• Functions:
• Allows users to request and access privileged accounts.
• Facilitates password management (retrieval, reset, rotation).
• Manages policies, audit logs, and workflows.
• Access Control: PVWA integrates with multi-factor authentication (MFA) to secure access to the interface.
• Communication: PVWA connects to the Vault and other components via HTTPS.
C. Central Policy Manager (CPM)
• Purpose: The CPM automates the password management process by enforcing security policies (e.g., password rotation, complexity).
• Functions:
• Automatically rotates passwords based on predefined policies.
• Manages password compliance with industry regulations.
• Conducts periodic password validation to ensure credentials are valid and active.
• Automation: CPM can automatically change passwords across various systems and applications (e.g., Windows, UNIX, databases).
D. Privileged Session Manager (PSM)
• Purpose: PSM controls and monitors privileged sessions to secure access to critical systems.
• Functions:
• Records and audits privileged sessions (video and metadata logging).
• Provides secure access to sensitive systems without revealing credentials to users.
• Supports various protocols like RDP, SSH, HTTP/S.
• Audit and Monitoring: Session activity can be monitored in real-time, and the recorded sessions are stored in the Vault for future audits.
E. Privileged Threat Analytics (PTA)
• Purpose: PTA uses machine learning and behavioral analytics to detect anomalous behavior and potential threats in privileged activities.
• Functions:
• Identifies potential insider threats, stolen credentials, and abnormal session behavior.
• Triggers alerts for unusual activity patterns or risky behavior.
• Integrates with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems for comprehensive monitoring.
F. Endpoint Privilege Manager (EPM)
• Purpose: EPM manages least privilege on endpoints and servers by controlling application privileges.
• Functions:
• Enables the enforcement of least-privilege policies across Windows, Mac, and Unix/Linux.
• Elevates privileges for specific tasks while keeping the system locked down.
• Manages application control to reduce attack surfaces.
• Mitigates endpoint vulnerabilities by removing local administrator rights.
2. How the Components Work Together
A. Privileged Access Workflow
• User Requests Access: A user (or administrator) requests access to a privileged account through PVWA.
• Credential Retrieval: If the user is authorized, PVWA retrieves the credentials from the Vault.
• Session Management: The user connects to the target system (Windows, Linux, database, etc.) through PSM, which securely brokers the connection.
• Monitoring and Logging: The session is monitored and recorded by PSM, and all actions are logged for future audits.
B. Password Management
• Password Rotation: CPM periodically rotates passwords in the Vault based on policy configurations (e.g., every 30 days).
• Password Validation: CPM checks if credentials are valid and alerts if any accounts are inactive or compromised.
• Compliance: The password rotation process ensures that the organization remains compliant with regulatory requirements (e.g., PCI DSS, SOX).
C. Threat Detection
• Anomaly Detection: PTA monitors user and system behavior to identify deviations from normal patterns (e.g., logging in at unusual times or using different devices).
• Real-time Alerts: If an anomaly is detected, PTA triggers an alert and can integrate with SIEM tools to escalate the issue.
D. Endpoint Privilege Management
• Least Privilege Enforcement: EPM ensures that users and applications only have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their tasks.
• Privilege Elevation: When a user or application needs elevated privileges (e.g., installing software), EPM elevates access temporarily and logs the event.
3. Security and Architecture Layers
A. Encryption and Secure Communication
• Data Encryption: All data stored in the Vault is encrypted using strong encryption algorithms (AES-256).
• SSL/TLS Communication: All communication between CyberArk components (PVWA, CPM, PSM, Vault) is encrypted using SSL/TLS.
• FIPS 140-2 Compliance: CyberArk’s encryption protocols adhere to industry security standards.
B. Redundancy and High Availability
• Disaster Recovery (DR): CyberArk supports high availability configurations for the Vault to ensure failover and disaster recovery.
• Redundant Components: CPM, PVWA, and PSM can be configured in a redundant architecture to avoid single points of failure.
C. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
• User Permissions: CyberArk uses RBAC to ensure that users only have access to specific privileged accounts based on their role.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): To further secure privileged access, CyberArk integrates with MFA solutions, adding an additional layer of security.
4. Diagram of CyberArk PAM Architecture
Here’s a simple conceptual overview of the CyberArk PAM architecture:
+---------------------------+
| Digital Vault |
+---------------------------+
^ ^
+---------------+ +---------------+
| |
+-------------+ +-------------+
| PVWA | <---- HTTPS ----> | CPM |
+-------------+ +-------------+
^ ^ ^ ^
| | | |
+---------+----------+ +----------+----------+
| PSM | | PTA |
+--------------------+ +---------------------+
^ ^ ^ ^
| | | |
+------+ +--------+ +--------+ +---------+
| RDP | | SSH | | Logs | | Analytics|
+------+ +--------+ +--------+ +---------+
This architecture is designed to offer robust security, scalability, and control over privileged access across complex IT environments. By understanding how each component interacts, you can better configure, manage, and secure your CyberArk environment.
Commentaires