Rethinking Privileged Access in Cybersecurity: Why Eliminating Standing Access is Essential

In todays threat landscape, cybersecurity threats are evolving faster than ever, and privileged accounts are some of the highest-value targets for malicious actors. Yet, many organizations still rely on standing access models that grant continuous, often unmonitored, access to sensitive systems. This approach, known as "standing access," creates significant risks by providing continuous access that attackers can exploit if credentials are compromised.

The Issue with Standing Access

With standing access, privileged accounts are accessible 24/7, regardless of whether those permissions are currently needed. This model contradicts a core principle of modern cybersecurity: limiting access to the minimum necessary and only when necessary.

If a privileged account is compromised, a malicious actor gains unfettered access to sensitive systems and data, which can lead to prolonged breaches, data theft, or system sabotage. The damage can extend far beyond financial losses to include severe reputational harm and regulatory consequences.

Eliminating Standing Access - A Game-Changer in Cybersecurity

Reducing standing access means shifting towards a Just-in-Time (JIT) access model. Instead of continuous access, users gain privileged permissions only when needed for specific tasks, and these permissions expire automatically once the task is completed.

This dramatically reduces the attack surface for threat actors, minimizes exposure risks, and aligns organizations with the Zero Trust model, which assumes that no one should be trusted by default, whether inside or outside the network.

Enhancing Control and Reducing Risk with Welford IAG

Solutions like Welfords Identity & Access Governance (IAG) Suite are designed to eliminate standing access, provide privileged access only when required, and enforce expiration upon task completion. By embracing this model, organizations not only strengthen their security posture but also streamline compliance, as regulators increasingly recognize JIT access as a best practice for safeguarding privileged accounts.

Eliminating standing access is not just a cybersecurity strategy—it is a necessity. Learn how adopting a Zero Trust approach with JIT access can help secure sensitive resources while promoting operational efficiency.