Manage PIM requests and approval process

Privileged Identity Management (PIM) is a critical service within Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) that enables organizations to manage, control, and monitor access within their environment. As part of the SC-300 Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator certification, understanding how to manage PIM requests and the approval process is essential.

Understanding PIM Roles and Requests

PIM helps protect your organization by providing just-in-time privileged access to Azure AD and Azure resources. There are several types of roles that can be managed through PIM, such as:

• Azure AD roles (like Global Administrator)
• Azure roles (like Subscription Owner)
• Azure AD Privileged Role Administrator (capable of managing PIM)

When a user needs privileged access, they must go through the PIM request process. Typically, this involves:

1. The user makes a request to activate a role.
2. The request is either automatically approved, requires approval from designated approvers, or is escalated for further review.

Configuring PIM

Before managing requests, PIM must be configured correctly. Key steps in this setup include:

1. Enable PIM: This is done in the Azure portal within the Azure AD directory.
2. Assign roles to PIM: Determine which roles will be managed with PIM and assign them accordingly.
3. Define PIM policies: Policies specify the conditions under which users can activate roles, including whether approval is required.

Managing PIM Requests

When a user requests privileged access, they must provide a reason for the request and may also be required to provide a start and end time for the access duration. The management of these requests follows these steps:

1. Initiation: User requests access to a role.
2. Justification: User provides a valid business reason.
3. Approval: Depending on configuration, the request is approved, denied, or escalated.

The PIM Approval Process

The approval process in PIM can be automatic or require manual intervention. When manual approval is required:

1. Approvers: A selected group of individuals or a single individual is designated as approvers.
2. Notification: Approvers receive a notification, typically via email, that there’s a pending approval.
3. Action: Approvers review the request and take appropriate action.

Best Practices for Managing PIM Requests and Approval Process

Implementing best practices ensures a secure and efficient privileged access management process:

• Define clear roles and responsibilities for users and approvers.
• Use Azure AD groups for approvers to simplify the management process.
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for users who request privileged access.
• Implement the principle of least privilege ensuring users only get access required for tasks.
• Regularly review and audit PIM activities, using the reports provided in Azure AD.

Examples of the PIM Request and Approval Process

User Self-service Activation Example:

1. John, an IT support engineer, needs to access the Azure portal as a ‘User Administrator’ to resolve an ongoing issue.
2. John requests the role through PIM and provides a detailed reason.
3. Since the role is configured for self-service with automatic approval, John receives immediate access for a predetermined time frame.

Manual Approval Example:

1. Emma, a network specialist, requires ‘Network Contributor’ access for a critical network upgrade.
2. Emma submits a PIM request, explaining the task and its urgency.
3. An approver, Mike, receives an email notification. He reviews the request and approves it.
4. Emma gains access just for the time needed to complete the network upgrade.

Auditing and Reviewing PIM Activity

Maintaining a secure environment requires regular auditing. Azure AD PIM provides activity logs, which include details such as:

• Who activated a role?
• Who approved the access?
• What reason was given for the activation?

These logs are essential for compliance and can be found in the Azure portal under the PIM section. The logs can help identify any irregularities or abuse of privileged access.

Conclusion

Managing PIM requests and approvals is a critical component of secure identity and access management within Azure environments. Through thoughtfully configured policies and vigilant monitoring, Identity and Access Administrators can ensure that privileged access is granted appropriately and securely, a core tenet of the SC-300 certification. By following these guidelines and utilizing PIM’s capabilities, organizations can significantly enhance their security posture and mitigate the risks associated with privileged access.