implementing-privileged-access-workstation

name	implementing-privileged-access-workstation
description	Design and implement Privileged Access Workstations (PAWs) with device hardening, just-in-time access, and integration with CyberArk or BeyondTrust for secure administrative operations.
domain	cybersecurity
subdomain	identity-and-access-management
tags	["privileged-access","PAW","zero-trust","device-hardening","CyberArk","BeyondTrust","just-in-time-access"]
version	1.0
author	mahipal
license	Apache-2.0
nist_csf	["PR.AA-01","PR.AA-02","PR.AA-05"]

Implementing Privileged Access Workstation

Overview

A Privileged Access Workstation (PAW) is a hardened device dedicated to performing sensitive administrative tasks. This skill covers PAW design using the tiered administration model, device compliance enforcement via Microsoft Intune or Group Policy, just-in-time (JIT) access provisioning, and integration with privileged access management (PAM) platforms like CyberArk and BeyondTrust.

When to Use

• When deploying or configuring implementing privileged access workstation 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

Common Misconfigurations & Verification

A PAW that can reach the internet or run arbitrary code is no longer a PAW — these gaps quietly void the control:

• Internet/email/browsing left enabled: the #1 failure. A PAW must be denied general web and email so it cannot be phished or download payloads. Verify with a proxy/firewall test from the PAW — arbitrary outbound HTTPS and mail must be blocked, allowing only approved management endpoints (Intune, PAM, specific admin URLs).
• Tier mixing: admins use the PAW to manage Tier-0 and browse Tier-2 / read email, collapsing the tier boundary. Confirm the clean-source / tiered model: Tier-0 credentials are never entered on a non-PAW device and vice versa. Audit sign-in logs for Tier-0 accounts authenticating from non-PAW devices.
• Credential Guard / VBS not actually on: hardening is documented but not enforced. Verify on-device: Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_DeviceGuard -Namespace root\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceGuard shows SecurityServicesRunning includes Credential Guard, and confirm AppLocker is in enforce (not audit) mode.
• JIT elevation degenerates into standing admin: verify time-bound group membership actually expires (re-check the privileged group after the window) rather than leaving the account permanently in Domain Admins.
• Device compliance not gating access: confirm Conditional Access requires a compliant/PAW device for admin portals, so a non-compliant machine cannot use vaulted creds.
• PAM checkout bypass: confirm admins check credentials out through CyberArk/BeyondTrust (with recording) rather than using locally cached or memorized privileged passwords.

Prerequisites

• Windows 10/11 Enterprise with Virtualization Based Security (VBS)
• Microsoft Intune or Active Directory Group Policy