Killing Standing Privileges With JIT Access
Standing privileges create persistent security risks that organizations can no longer afford to ignore. This article examines two proven strategies for implementing just-in-time access controls that eliminate always-on permissions. Leading security experts share practical approaches to time-boxed privilege elevation and hardware-backed credential systems that reduce attack surfaces.
Adopt PIM with Audited Time-Boxed Elevation
We implemented just-in-time privileged access by adopting PIM/JIT and replacing standing privileges with time-bound, audited sessions while enforcing phishing-resistant MFA for admin roles. Short-lived elevation requests required conditional access checks such as device compliance before issuing credentials, and all sessions were logged for post-incident review. To keep break-glass workable we retained a minimal, highly audited emergency path that requires multi-party approval and offline verification before elevation. The policy-as-code control that materially reduced standing admin rights was an automation that disabled or revoked unused privileged accounts and converted third-party standing access into time-bound, audited sessions.
Mint Hardware-Backed, Short-Lived OIDC Credentials
We basically used OIDC as our orchestration layer and tied it directly to WebAuthn. The logic is pretty straightforward: a successful hardware handshake serves as the cryptographic proof of presence we need to mint a short-lived session. We got rid of persistent roles entirely. Now, engineers just request access for a specific window, and the system generates a hardware-backed credential that's designed to expire automatically.
The big concern with a setup like this is getting locked out if your identity provider goes down. To keep break-glass workable, we decoupled the emergency path from the standard OIDC flow. We use a multi-signature physical key ceremony for those "in case of emergency" moments. It keeps the path open but ensures those accounts stay dormant and heavily monitored unless things have really gone sideways.
On the policy-as-code side, the one move that really changed the game for us was an automated enforcement gate. It rejects any IAM provision that doesn't have a "Duration" tag. By treating standing privileges as a build failure, we forced every single administrative action to be ephemeral. That one automation effectively killed the "permanent admin" as a valid state in our system. Honestly, based on what we've seen, removing those static, long-lived credentials is the single most effective way to stop an attacker from moving laterally during a breach.
Shifting to zero standing privileges is honestly as much about culture as it is about the tech. You have to balance the developer's need to move fast with the organization's need for a defensible perimeter. But once that automation is live, the security ROI is immediate. It's all about making the secure path the path of least resistance for the engineering team.
Issue Scoped Tokens Only When Needed
Granting rights only when needed cuts the places an attacker can land and move. Long-lived admin accounts turn into short, scoped tokens that expire fast. Risk signals like device health or location can shape the size and time of each grant. Break-glass paths still exist, but they are narrow and watched.
Vendors and contractors receive only the tools needed for the task and only for the time set. This cuts damage if something goes wrong and keeps secrets safe. Start by replacing static admin groups with on-demand roles today.
Make Zero Trust Real with Ephemeral Grants
Zero trust says never trust, always verify, and JIT makes that real. Dormant rights are removed, so there is nothing to steal when accounts sit idle. Every step asks for proof of need, proof of identity, and proof of device state. Context like time of day and network risk shapes each grant.
The result is clean identity hygiene and fewer shadow paths. Old exceptions and static allow lists fade away under clear policy. Make zero trust tangible by turning off standing rights and turning on JIT now.
Pair Finite Windows with Action Capture
Time-boxed access paired with session recording turns every action into usable evidence. When an issue hits, the window is small and the playback is clear, so root cause comes fast. Keystrokes, commands, and file changes can be traced to a user and a reason. For audits, clips and logs show that policy was followed and that rights were removed on time.
This tight loop lowers mean time to detect and mean time to recover. It also protects good users by proving clean work. Add time limits and session capture to your JIT design now.
Add Peer Approval to High-Risk Actions
Peer approval for high risk actions adds a simple, human check without heavy delays. Requests route to the right owners, who confirm need and scope before access starts. Segregation of duties is kept, since no one can approve their own path. Clear notes, tickets, and alerts form a shared record that keeps teams honest.
This shared view builds trust and reduces the chance of quiet misuse. Abuse becomes harder, and honest mistakes are caught early. Put peer approval on all sensitive JIT flows today.
Launch Self-Service, Policy-Driven Access Requests
Automated, request-based access speeds work while keeping control strong. Self service portals let users ask for rights in the flow of work, with clear choices and limits. Policy engines auto approve low risk asks and send edge cases to an owner. Short grants end on their own, so cleanup takes no extra time.
Tooling links to chat, ticketing, and CI/CD, so engineers do not context switch. Operations move faster with fewer blockers and fewer late night pages. Launch an automated JIT request path for your top workflows this quarter.