implementing-zero-standing-privilege-with-cyberark

name	implementing-zero-standing-privilege-with-cyberark
description	Deploy CyberArk Secure Cloud Access (SCA) to eliminate standing privileges in AWS, Azure, and GCP by provisioning ephemeral, scoped roles on a just-in-time basis governed by the TEA framework (Time, Entitlements, Approvals). Use when designing or implementing zero standing privilege / just-in-time privileged access models with CyberArk, or when replacing persistent cloud admin roles with time-bound, approval-gated sessions.
domain	cybersecurity
subdomain	identity-access-management
tags	["cyberark","zero-standing-privilege","jit-access","pam","cloud-security","least-privilege"]
version	1.0
author	mahipal
license	Apache-2.0
nist_csf	["PR.AA-01","PR.AA-02","PR.AA-05","PR.AA-06"]
mitre_attack	["T1078","T1110","T1556","T1098","T1078.004"]

Implementing Zero Standing Privilege with CyberArk

Overview

Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) is a security model where no user or identity retains persistent privileged access. Instead, elevated access is provisioned dynamically on a just-in-time (JIT) basis and automatically revoked after use. CyberArk implements ZSP through its Secure Cloud Access (SCA) module, which creates ephemeral, scoped roles in cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP) that exist only for the duration of a session. The TEA framework -- Time, Entitlements, and Approvals -- governs every privileged access session.

When to Use

• When deploying or configuring implementing zero standing privilege with cyberark capabilities in your environment
• When establishing security controls aligned to compliance requirements
• When building or improving security architecture for this domain
• When conducting security assessments that require this implementation

Prerequisites

• CyberArk Identity Security Platform (Privilege Cloud or self-hosted)
• CyberArk Secure Cloud Access (SCA) license
• Cloud provider accounts (AWS, Azure, GCP) with admin access for integration
• ITSM integration (ServiceNow, Jira) for approval workflows
• CyberArk Vault configured with safe management

Core Concepts

TEA Framework (Time, Entitlements, Approvals)

Component	Description	Configuration
Time	Duration of the privileged session	Min 15 minutes, max 8 hours, default 1 hour
Entitlements	Permissions granted during the session	Dynamically scoped IAM roles/policies
Approvals	Authorization workflow before access	Auto-approve, manager approval, or multi-level

ZSP Architecture

User requests access via CyberArk
        │
        ├── CyberArk evaluates request against policies:
        │   ├── Is user eligible for this access?
        │   ├── Does the request comply with TEA policies?
        │   └── Is approval required?
        │
        ├── [If approval needed] → Route to approver (ITSM/ChatOps)
        │
        ├── Upon approval:
        │   ├── CyberArk creates ephemeral IAM role in target cloud
        │   ├── Scopes permissions to minimum required entitlements
        │   ├── Sets session TTL (time-bound)
        │   └── Provisions temporary credentials
        │
        ├── User accesses cloud resources via session
        │   ├── All actions logged and recorded
        │   └── Session monitored for policy violations
        │
        └── Session expires:
            ├── Ephemeral role deleted
            ├── Temporary credentials revoked
            └── Zero standing privileges remain