Privileged Accounts

Privileged accounts are user accounts that have elevated permissions and access rights within an IT system or network. These accounts are typically used by system administrators, database administrators, or other IT professionals to perform critical system operations, configuration changes, or access sensitive data. Examples include:

1. Root or admin accounts on operating systems
2. Database administrator accounts
3. Domain administrator accounts in Active Directory
4. Accounts with access to critical applications or sensitive data

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Due to their extensive access rights, privileged accounts are high-value targets for attackers. If compromised, they can be used to cause significant damage, exfiltrate sensitive data, or maintain long-term unauthorized access. Protecting privileged accounts typically involves:

1. Implementing Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions
2. Enforcing strong authentication methods (e.g., multi-factor authentication)
3. Regular auditing and rotation of privileged account credentials
4. Applying the principle of least privilege
5. Monitoring and logging all activities performed using privileged accounts