What is privileged user management?

Privileged User Management (PUM) is the process of managing, monitoring and controlling accounts with elevated access rights within an organisation. These privileged accounts, such as those used by system administrators or IT staff, have broader access to critical systems and data. PUM ensures that each user is granted the appropriate permissions needed to perform their job functions, while activities are continuously monitored to maintain compliance with security protocols.

PUM vs PIM vs PAM: What's the difference?

Privileged User Management (PUM), Privileged Identity Management (PIM) and Privileged Access Management (PAM) are often used interchangeably in the context of managing privileged accounts. However, each serves a distinct role in securing systems and data.

Feature	Privileged User Management (PUM)	Privileged Identity Management (PIM)	Privileged Access Management (PAM)
Primary focus	Manages permissions and access rights of privileged users	Manages the full lifecycle of privileged identities	Controls and monitors access to systems and resources
Security focus	Access control and monitoring	Identity-centric security	Access control, auditing and session monitoring
Relationship	Component of PIM	Encompasses PUM and works with PAM	Enforces PIM and PUM policies through tools and controls
Recommended for	Manage admin accounts Monitor user activity	User provisioning and deprovisioning Role-based access control Compliance and governance	Secure credential storage Privileged session monitoring Emergency access management

Privileged Identity Management (PIM) is a subset of Identity and Access Management (IAM) that focuses specifically on managing privileged identities, users who have elevated access to an organisation's data or systems. PIM ensures that only authorised individuals receive privileged access based on their role and identity. It also manages the full identity lifecycle, including the provisioning, modification and deprovisioning of user accounts to maintain secure access.

Similarly, Privileged Access Management (PAM) focuses on controlling and monitoring how privileged users access systems. It acts as an enforcement mechanism for PUM and PIM policies. PAM solutions typically include capabilities such as:

Password vaulting
Password rotation
Session recording and monitoring
Just-in-Time (JIT) access
Automated workflows

While PUM and PIM focus on who can access resources, PAM emphasises how that access is managed, monitored and controlled once a user gains access.

How privileged user management works

Privileged user management follows a structured process to ensure that users with elevated access are properly managed throughout their lifecycle within an organisation.

Onboarding: The process begins by defining the user's role and assigning appropriate permissions before access is granted. This ensures the user has only the access necessary to perform their job functions.
Monitoring: Once access is established, user activity is continuously monitored to detect unauthorised actions, enforce policy compliance and maintain an audit trail.
Deprovisioning: When a user leaves the organisation or no longer requires privileged access, their permissions are revoked and accounts are deactivated to prevent unauthorised access.

Are PUM accounts secure?

Privileged user management accounts can be secure when implemented correctly. These accounts are inherently higher risk due to their elevated permissions and, in many cases, their shared use among multiple administrators or IT personnel.

To mitigate these risks, organisations must enforce strong security measures, including:

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to verify user identities
Password rotation to reduce the window of compromise
Activity logging and monitoring to detect and respond to unauthorised actions
Least-privilege access to ensure users have only the minimum permissions necessary

Implementing the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP) is especially important, as it limits potential damage from compromised or misused accounts by restricting access to only what is essential for each user's role.