What is Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP)?

What is (ZSP) Zero Standing Privileges?

Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) is a security principle where users and systems do not have persistent or permanent privileged access to sensitive resources, systems, or applications. Instead, privileged access is granted only when needed, for a limited time, and under specific circumstances. Once a user completes the task for which privileged access is necessary, the elevated privileges are revoked. This effectively reduces the attack surface and mitigates the risk of misuse or compromise.

How Zero Standing Privileges Works

No Persistent Privileges

Unlike traditional configurations where privileged accounts such as system admin or root accounts retain constant elevated permissions, Zero Standing Privileges ensure that no user or account has continuous high-level access.

Just-in-Time (JIT) Access

Access is granted temporarily and on-demand. For example, when an IT admin requests access to a server, privileges are provided only for the time required to complete the task.

Approval Workflows

Before granting access, an automated or manual approval process ensures that the request is legitimate and complies with organizational policies.

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Rather than assigning permissions to individual users, Zero Standing Privileges call for permissions to be grouped by role, and users are assigned to roles that determine what actions they can perform and which resources they can access within an IT infrastructure.

Auditing and Monitoring

Every request for privileged access is logged and monitored, creating a transparent and auditable trail for forensic investigations.

Automation

Tools and systems automatically handle provisioning and revocation of access, reducing manual intervention and mitigating the potential for human error.

Benefits of Using Zero Standing Privileges

Reduced Attack Surface

Since no account has persistent privileges, attackers cannot exploit orphan or unnecessary privileged accounts.

Minimized Insider Threats

When employees or contractors don’t continuously hold privileges, there is less opportunity for malicious or inadvertent misuse.

Enhanced Security Posture

By eliminating permanent privileged access to admin and root accounts, organizations can protect sensitive resources more effectively.

Compliance and Governance

Zero Standing Privileges align with regulatory requirements that mandate strict control over privileged access, such as GDPR, PCI DSS, and HIPAA.

Mitigation of Credential Theft Risks

Even if credentials are compromised, potential malicious actors cannot use them to gain privileged access without following the controlled request and approval process.

Improved Operational Efficiency

Automated systems streamline privileged access provisioning and de-provisioning, reducing administrative overhead.

Challenges Associated with of Zero Standing Privileges Implementation

Deployment Complexity

Setting up the necessary tools, policies, and workflows to support Zero Standing Privileges can be challenging, especially in complex IT environments.

Cultural Resistance

Teams accustomed to using legacy privileged access processes may see changing to on-demand access as a hindrance to critical business workflows.

Integration with Legacy Systems

Older systems may not support modern tools that enable Zero Standing Privileges, requiring additional development to integrate or replace them.

Access Delays

Improperly configured workflows can slow down access requests, impacting productivity.

Use Cases for Zero Standing Privileges

Cloud Environments

Zero Standing Privileges are frequently applied in cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) to control administrative access to resources, such as virtual machines, databases, or storage accounts.

DevOps and CI/CD Pipelines

Temporary privileges are granted using Zero Standing Privileges for building, testing, or deploying applications without leaving sensitive systems exposed.

Third-Party Vendor Access

Zero Standing Privileges grant external contractors or vendors access only for the duration of specific tasks, ensuring they don’t retain standing privileges after completing their work.

Critical Infrastructure

Zero Standing Privileges are applied to manage access to critical systems like financial systems, healthcare databases, or government IT infrastructure.

Incident Response

During a security incident, Zero Standing Privileges ensure that only approved responders have temporary access to sensitive systems.

Best Practices for Implementing Zero Standing Privileges

Adopt the Principle of Least Privilege

Start by ensuring that users and accounts have the minimum necessary access for their roles.

Use Just-in-Time Access

Implement tools and workflows to provision and revoke access automatically based on specific tasks or time windows.

Automate Access Management

Leverage automation tools to handle requests, approvals, and revocations, reducing manual errors and delays.

Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Require MFA for all access requests to enhance security.

Monitor and Audit Activities

Continuously monitor privileged activities and review logs to identify potential risks or anomalies.

Educate and Train Teams

Ensure that employees understand the importance of Zero Standing Privileges and are trained on the processes and tools involved.

Test and Refine

Regularly test workflows and policies that support Zero Standing Privileges to identify areas for improvement and ensure they align with organizational goals.

Where to Learn More

Zero Standing Privileges enhance the protection of sensitive systems by eliminating the risks associated with persistent privileged access. By granting access only when needed and for a limited time, Zero Standing Privileges reduces the attack surface, mitigates insider threats, and ensures compliance with security regulations. While implementing Zero Standing Privileges requires effort and planning, the benefits far outweigh the challenges, making it an essential component of any robust cybersecurity strategy.

A modern Identity and Governance Administration (IGA) solution like Omada Identity Cloud helps organizations easily implement Zero Standing Privileges. Get a demo.