PAM 
Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) plays an important role in determining who should have access to sensitive data and when that access should be granted. While
7 min read
Published on May 21, 2025
To implement Privileged Access Management (PAM), you must first assess your organization’s specific security risks and needs. Then, you can select the right PAM solution tailored to your organization and plan a strategic, phased rollout to ensure a smooth implementation.
Continue reading to learn how to efficiently implement PAM in your organization.
1. Evaluate your organization’s needs and risks
Before implementing any PAM solution, you should assess your organization’s unique environment. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to PAM. Its effectiveness depends on how well it’s tailored to your organization’s compliance and operational needs.
Start by evaluating the size and structure of your organization, as well as the privileged accounts and systems that are currently in place. Most importantly, identify where the greatest security risks or regulatory pressures exist. By focusing on these high-risk areas, you can implement specific PAM features to mitigate the most pressing threats. It’s also important to consider your existing IT infrastructure – whether it’s cloud-based, on-premises or a hybrid environment. This will influence the type of PAM solution that best fits your organization’s needs.
2. Choose the right PAM solution for your organization
Not all PAM solutions are built the same. They differ in capabilities, deployment models and how well they integrate with your existing tools, such as Identity Access Management (IAM), Active Directory (AD), Single Sign-On (SSO) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms. For example, integrating PAM with SIEM can significantly enhance visibility into privileged activity to improve threat detection and response.
Beyond integration, it’s important to consider how well the solution scales across your environment, especially if you operate in a hybrid environment where both on-premises and cloud systems need to be managed. Additionally, ensure the solution is user-friendly for both internal IT teams and third-party vendors, as ease of use can impact PAM adoption. Finally, evaluate the reporting and compliance features of the PAM solution. These features should simplify audit processes and help meet regulatory requirements without adding complexity. The PAM solution you choose will shape your overall rollout strategy and how quickly your organization can realize its benefits.
3. Plan a rollout that fits your environment
A phased rollout involves deploying a PAM solution in stages rather than all at once. Organizations benefit from this approach because it allows for a more controlled deployment process, reducing operational disruption and enabling teams to gradually adapt to new workflows and security protocols.
Organizations should start by prioritizing security for high-risk systems. To do this, it’s recommended to start small and test PAM features within a limited scope, such as one team, system or department. This allows you to evaluate how well the solution integrates before scaling it across the entire organization. It’s also important to coordinate with IT change management and user training teams throughout the rollout process. Clear communication and training ensure that everyone understands the changes, supporting a smooth transition.
4. Implement PAM features that provide the most impact
A PAM solution is most effective when the core features of your organization’s security needs are fully implemented. However, as mentioned earlier, deploying everything at once isn’t practical with legacy PAM platforms. It’s important to prioritize which features to roll out first, based on key factors such as risk exposure, technical environment and internal readiness. For example, starting with credential vaulting secures privileged credentials in a centralized, encrypted repository. Implementing Just-in-Time (JIT) access is another important first step, as it minimizes standing privileges by granting temporary user access only when it’s needed to perform specific tasks.
As the organization becomes more familiar with PAM, session monitoring and audit logging should be introduced to track user activity and ensure accountability among privileged users. Automated password rotation should also be implemented to help meet compliance requirements and maintain cyber hygiene. Additionally, enabling Role-Based Access Controls (RBAC) and approval workflows strengthens governance by ensuring that access is granted based on employee roles and subject to oversight. A strategic rollout ensures a gradual yet impactful implementation of PAM.
5. Train teams and establish governance
For PAM to deliver its full effectiveness, organizations must go beyond just technical implementation – it requires strong internal policies and organizational adoption. A strong governance model is essential to ensure PAM remains sustainable, scalable and auditable over time. An effective PAM solution is built on clear policies and active participation across the entire organization.
To accomplish this, governance roles and access approval responsibilities should be clearly defined and communicated. This includes establishing guidelines on who has the authority to grant access, the conditions under which access is granted and the processes for conducting regular access reviews. Developing workflows for access requests and periodic reviews ensures that privileged actions are documented and aligned with current security policies. Finally, provide onboarding and training programs for admins, security teams and end users. Admins and security teams should be instructed on how to properly configure, manage, monitor and respond to privileged access, while end users need to be educated in their role of protecting critical systems.
6. Monitor, audit and continuously improve
PAM is not a “set it and forget it” solution. It’s a dynamic part of your cybersecurity strategy. As your organization grows or as new risks emerge, it’s best practice to adjust PAM configurations accordingly. To remain effective, PAM must be actively managed and continuously monitored. Organizations need to be proactive by regularly reviewing access logs, privileged sessions and user activity to detect any suspicious behavior and potential threats early on. PAM policies and access controls should also be routinely assessed and modified based on usage. For example, privileged access should be revoked when a user’s role changes to ensure their permissions properly align with their current job functions.
PAM is not a one-time setup
PAM is an ongoing process that must be continuously adjusted to align with your organization’s changing business needs and growth. As your IT environment evolves and new risks emerge, refining your PAM strategy becomes critical to maintaining strong security and compliance.
Assess your current access control posture and consider exploring a PAM solution that fits your organization’s size and needs. A PAM solution like KeeperPAM offers an integrated approach that combines features like credential vaulting, session monitoring, JIT access and detailed reporting all in a single user interface. It can also integrate with existing tools like IAM, SIEM, SSO and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) platforms to create a seamless implementation that easily scales as your needs change over time.
Frequently asked questions
Do all organizations implement PAM in the same way?
No, organizations do not implement PAM in the same way. Each organization has unique security requirements, compliance obligations, IT environments and operational priorities that shape how PAM is implemented. For example, a manufacturing company may prioritize auditing and real-time monitoring, as manufacturers are often required to meet strict industry standards like ISO 27001 and the National Infrastructure Protection Plan.
How long does it take to implement PAM?
The time it takes to implement a PAM solution varies significantly depending on the platform’s complexity, architecture and the organization’s existing infrastructure. Legacy PAM deployments – particularly those that are on-premises or require extensive agent installations – can take weeks to several months to fully configure and integrate, especially when accommodating multiple systems, identity providers and compliance requirements.
However, modern PAM platforms like KeeperPAM are built for rapid deployment and ease of use. KeeperPAM is a cloud-native, zero-trust and zero-knowledge platform that avoids the overhead and complexity of legacy solutions, and can be deployed in just hours.
Can small businesses implement PAM?
Yes, small businesses can and should implement PAM. Businesses of all sizes are at risk of cyber attacks. PAM helps protect against cyber threats like credential theft, privilege abuse and malware infections. Moreover, PAM offers numerous benefits, including simplifying compliance, satisfying cyber insurance requirements, reducing the attack surface, improving productivity and lowering costs. By addressing both security and operational efficiency, PAM provides small businesses with the security features needed to protect sensitive data, all while simplifying management.
Do I need PAM if I already use a password manager?
Even if you’re already using a password manager, a PAM solution is essential for organizations that need to control, monitor and secure elevated access to critical systems. Password managers protect login credentials, but PAM solutions go further by enforcing least privilege, enabling time-limited access without exposing credentials and providing full visibility into privileged sessions. KeeperPAM is an all-in-one, cloud-native platform that combines password and secrets management, zero-trust access, session recording and infrastructure control – all in a unified, zero-knowledge environment. It ensures that not only are credentials stored securely, but access is granted only when needed and compliance is adhered to across your organization.
