Best practices in IT corporate security must acknowledge the intersection of technology, processes and people. Yet all too often the focus falls to the technology and processes while the people part of the equation is often overlooked.
It's not that companies have always failed to recognize best of breed security software or developed robust enough policies with which to execute them; it's just that they have often overlooked the weakest link in their implementation: human nature. This is especially true when it comes to privileged accounts on physical and virtual servers, desktops and cloud environments. We have covered the implications of the misuse of this privilege extensively in this blog, but one thing we haven't covered to date is the elusive nature of human nature and the implications of the only true business constant that everything can, and usually does, change.
Why does it seem as if every time one security hole is filled another shows up?
Why do some audits (and auditors) allows somethings while others don't?
Why does it seem like most executives suffer from bipolar disorder (expecting tight security come audit time but demand relaxed enforcement for great productivity all other times)?
Surprisingly these questions were answered back between 535 BC and 435 BC by the Greek philosopher Heraclitus who said "nothing endures but change".
If you haven't implemented a least privilege solution then all policy changes can be a very daunting task when it comes to roll out and enforcement. Having centralized policy management and endpoint policy enforcement is one way to solve this ever-present challenge. This is the core value of a privilege identity management solution and something you should be implementing enterprise-wide immediately.
