We hear a lot about external threats but in reality, one of the biggest risks to your organisation might already be on the inside. Insider threats whether malicious, negligent, or compromised pose a significant threat to organisations. And with privileged accounts often at the centre of these threats, Privileged Access Management (PAM) has become an essential part of any modern cyber defence strategy.
The statistics speak for themselves. According to Verizon’s 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report, 57% of companies experience more than 20 insider-related security incidents each year. Human error is a factor in 68% of breaches, and IBM Security’s latest report places the average cost of an insider threat incident at $4.99 million.
Insiders already have access to your internal systems. They likely know your policies. They can bypass controls more easily than an external attacker. Whether it’s a disgruntled employee leaking sensitive data or a third-party contractor with compromised credentials, the impact can be severe—both in terms of financial damage and reputational harm.
What makes privileged accounts so risky?
Not all user accounts are created equal. Privileged accounts such as database admins , domain admins, and service accounts grant elevated access to critical systems and data. If these accounts are misused, intentionally or otherwise, the consequences can be severe.
How PAM mitigates insider threats
Our Managed PAM service is designed to control, monitor, and protect privileged accounts. They give organisations the ability to apply consistent policies, enforce least privilege, and audit all privileged activity. Here’s how PAM directly tackles the insider threat problem:
Many organisations lack visibility into all the privileged accounts across their estate. These ‘stealthy’ or unmanaged accounts are prime targets for abuse. Integrity360’s PAM services begin with a discovery phase to identify privleged accounts and map out potential risks—laying the foundation for an effective access control strategy.
The principle of least privilege (PoLP) ensures that users only have access to the systems and data required for their role—nothing more. PAM enables organisations to dynamically adjust access based on business needs, minimising over-permissiveness and reducing the risk of abuse.
Standing privileges are a liability. With PAM, users are only granted elevated access for a specific task and timeframe. This drastically reduces the attack window and helps prevent privilege escalation, especially in environments with contractors or rotating roles.
PAM records all privileged sessions, allowing security teams to detect anomalies and respond in real-time. With user activity monitoring (UAM) and alerts, threats can be identified early—before damage is done. Integrity360’s managed PAM service includes continuous monitoring and reporting, ensuring you stay one step ahead.
Remote access is a necessity in today’s work-from-anywhere environment. PAM provides secure, time-limited access for external users and vendors—without the need for VPNs—while ensuring that all sessions are logged and reviewed.
Weak or static passwords are a known weak point. PAM addresses this by storing credentials in secure vaults, rotating them regularly, and ensuring they are never hardcoded into scripts or shared inappropriately.
When insider malicious activity is detected, speed is crucial. PAM can automatically block suspicious sessions, alert administrators, and even disconnect users or block their access—helping you contain threats before they spread.
PAM and beyond: unlocking more value
While stopping insider threats is a strong reason to invest in PAM, the benefits go further:
PAM can be complex—but with the right partner, it doesn’t have to be. Integrity360 offers consultancy, implementation, and managed services tailored to your environment. Whether you’re just starting or looking to optimise your existing PAM programme, our experts will guide you every step of the way.
We take the complexity out of PAM and deliver a solution aligned with your business goals—so you can focus on what matters most, knowing your privileged accounts are protected.