Transitioning from Shared Admin Accounts to Just-in-Time Access: Elevating MSP Security with CyberQP

by Michael Garrity, Manager of Sales & Success Engineering

In the fast-paced world of Managed Services Providers (MSPs), the security of privileged access to client environments is paramount. MSPs play a critical role in maintaining and managing their clients’ IT infrastructures, making them responsible for safeguarding sensitive data and systems. 

However, many MSPs still rely on a risky and outdated practice – shared admin accounts. Today, we’ll explore the importance and need for transitioning from shared admin accounts to Privileged Just-in-Time (JIT) accounts. We’ll also delve into the concept of zero standing privileges and how it can transform an MSP’s cybersecurity strategy.

The Shared Admin Account Dilemma

For years, MSPs have commonly used shared admin accounts to access their clients’ systems and applications. While this might seem convenient, it comes with significant security risks:

1. Accountability Issues: Shared accounts make it challenging to trace individual actions. As a result, it becomes impossible to identify which technician performed a specific action. This lack of accountability can hinder incident response, and difficult to fulfill the auditing and logging requirements a compliance framework may contain. 
2. Credential Exposure: Shared admin account credentials are tied to multiple individuals, which increases the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and insider threats.
3. Stale Permissions: Shared accounts typically have standing privileges, meaning that technicians have permanent access rights, even when they no longer require them.
4. Regulatory Compliance: Many industries have stringent compliance requirements that mandate individual accountability and strict access controls. With this in place, shared admin accounts do not meet indutry standard regulations.

Transitioning to Just-in-Time Access

QGuard Pro, CyberQP’s solution to achieve Zero Standing Privileges, is purpose-built to answer these challenges. Just-in-Time account creation allows MSPs to create named accounts for each technician, which automatically expire after a designated time limit, such as 1 or 4 days.

This transition is crucial for MSPs, since it allows them to:

1. Enforce Individual Accountability: JIT accounts ensure that every action taken within a client’s environment is tied to a specific technician. This promotes accountability and streamlines auditing and reporting.
2. Reduce Their Attack Surface: Shared admin accounts create a larger attack surface for MSPs, which only continues to grow as they add customers and continue to scale. These shared accounts leave MSPs more susceptible to exploitation. Just-in-Time access limits the window of opportunity for potential attackers.
3. Achieve Zero Standing Privilege: JIT accounts are a key component of zero standing privilege, a best practices that calls for technicians to only have access for the time they need it. When in use, it minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and reduces the likelihood of unintended actions.
4. Enhanced Compliance: Transitioning to JIT accounts aligns MSPs with industry-specific compliance regulations, which are crucial for building trust with clients and avoiding potential legal consequences.

Embracing Zero Standing Privileges

Zero standing privileges represent a shift in how we think about access management. Instead of granting technicians persistent access, this best practice recognizes the need to limit privileged access to the amount of time required for specific projects or tasks. 

By adopting zero standing privileges, MSPs can increase their visibility and get a more detailed record of changes than any shared admin accounts could provide. MSPs can also demonstrate a security-first to clients and prospects, by showing that they have taken a proactive step towards protecting end user data and systems. This is a great way for MSPs to differentiate themselves from competitors and break/fix shops – by building a reputation for trustworthy and responsible IT management.

Conclusion

Transitioning from shared admin accounts to Just-in-Time accounts is more than a security upgrade; it’s a fundamental shift in the way MSPs manage privileged access. By embracing zero standing privilege as a practice, MSPs can enhance security, align with compliance requirements, and deliver superior services to their clients. 

Are you prepared to invest in your MSP’s future? Learn more about how CyberQP can help your MSP enable Just-in-Time access for your technicians by booking a demo with us.