Let’s say you are about to complete your task, and for that, you are required to install software on your company’s device.
But when you try to install software, a message appears highlighting that “you don’t have administrative rights.”
It might seem like an unnecessary restriction. Even for a tool installation, there are restrictions. This is because uncontrolled admin access can sometimes lead to security threats. The risks associated are data breaches and malware.
For instance, in a real-world internal penetration test, attackers exploited local admin rights to compromise a primary domain controller and gain full access to all systems. This highlights how dangerous unmanaged admin rights can be.
So who should have the admin rights? How do businesses manage these rights? And what happens if the rights are misused? Get each of these questions answered with this blog.
Let’s get started.
Administrative (admin) rights are user privileges allowing users to make system-level changes, whether installing software or managing user accounts. These privileges are for IT teams to help them maintain and troubleshoot systems. Let’s learn the types of admin access that define the control users have over their devices and systems.
Types of Admin Access
Here are the two main admin rights types categorized based on user privileges.
Standard User Rights:
Users get access to install any type of applications and conduct everyday tasks but cannot modify system settings. Using a company portal, IT teams provide self-service software installations to reduce the reliance on admin access.
Elevated Admin Rights:
Users with elevated privileges can easily modify security configurations and bypass system controls. Although these privileges are necessary for IT teams and selected roles, they must be limited to prevent security risks and compliance failure.
You should also avoid using the same password for default admin accounts across machines. Tools like Microsoft LAPS or Securden can help randomize and rotate passwords to reduce lateral movement risks.
Requesting Elevated Administrative Rights
When admin rights are granted, a structured approval process just be followed to ensure security and compliance. Several businesses implement the process that includes:
Business Justification:
Users must submit a request for elevated flights. This request must include their specific needs and justification for why standard flights do not meet their requirements.
Alternative Solutions:
IT teams assess if the self-service installations or temporary access solutions can address the request. Only if these alternatives are insufficient do they consider granting full admin privileges.
Security Awareness Training:
Users undergo training to understand the risks and responsibilities of admin access, including the importance of following security best practices.
Usage Restrictions:
Admin users must adhere to strict policies. These policies include:
- Not disabling security controls (firewall, antivirus, encryption).
- Not modifying critical system settings or making unauthorized software changes.
- Do not remove the device from the Active - Directory (AD) or override system permissions.
With the implementation of a controlled approval process, businesses minimize security risks while ensuring that users get necessary access without compromising system integrity.
An ideal flow looks like this: Employee submits request > Line Manager reviews > IT validates need and explores alternatives > Security training completed > Approval and audit trail created.
What Do Admin Rights Mean for an SMB?
For small and medium-sized businesses, admin rights management helps balance security and operational flexibility. SMBs deal with admin privileged control, unlike large enterprises with dedicated IT teams. This situation makes them more vulnerable to cyber threats if admin privileges are not properly monitored. Learn how SMBs manage admin rights:
- Implementing Role-Based Access: Assigning admin rights only to essential personnel helps reduce the risk of security breaches.
- Automating Privilege Management: Using privileged access management ensures only authorized actions are performed.
- Using Cloud-Based Security: Many SMBs rely on cloud applications, so managing admin access within the SaaS platforms is an important step.
Tip: Regular audits using PowerShell scripts or a reliable password vault tool like Securden help identify unauthorized admin access in SMB environments.
Take Control of Admin Access Today
Don’t let unrestricted admin rights expose your organization to threats. Securden’s PAM solution helps you automate and streamline admin access across your IT environment.
Let’s discuss each risk that occurs when the admin rights are not managed properly.
What happens if you fail to control admin rights? Mostly, it leads you to security threats and operational disruptions. Let’s know how it does so:
1. Privilege Escalation and Insider Threats
Attackers who compromise a low-level account exploit unmanaged admin rights to escalate their privileges, which grants them full control over the system or network. In the same way, insider threats, whether malicious or unintentional, can misuse admin rights to steal data or modify records.
2. The Danger of Local Administrative Privileges
Allowing employees to retain local admin rights on their devices creates security vulnerabilities. This increases the risk of:
- Unauthorized software installations that may contain malware.
- Bypassing security controls, making endpoints vulnerable to attacks.
- Persistent backdoor access if credentials are compromised.
Did you know? In many organizations, attackers use tools like CrackMapExec to extract password hashes from systems where users have local admin rights, enabling lateral movement.
3. Operational Inefficiencies & Shadow IT
Having excessive admin privileges creates ambiguity between IT governance and employee access, which leads to:
- Unapproved software installations that introduce compatibility issues.
- Unauthorized system modifications that cause performance instability.
- Difficulties in enforcing security policies due to decentralized control.
4. Common Misconceptions About Admin Rights
Several businesses in the market assume that:
Only IT teams need to worry about admin rights—but in reality, every employee with elevated access poses a risk.
Restricting admin access will hurt productivity—when in fact, structured access controls improve network security without slowing down operations.
Myth vs Reality:
- Myth: Admin access is required for all power users.
- Reality: Most software tasks can be completed with whitelisted app access or temporary elevation.
If proper admin rights management is not carried out, businesses face security breaches, along with financial and reputational damages. This necessitates the implementation of a privileged access solution with strict access controls.
Several businesses still allow local admin rights with a belief that it surely improves efficiency. Employees with admin access can install required software and troubleshoot issues without the involvement of IT. But this type of convenience comes at a cost.
Authorizing local admin rights exposes businesses to the risk of installing malicious software and bypassing critical security controls. Attackers are always ready to exploit these privileges just to execute ransomware and move laterally within the networks. Also, employees unintentionally create shadow IT by installing unapproved tools that weaken security policies.
The best approach is to minimize local admin rights while maintaining productivity. Businesses should:
- Limit admin access: Only grant it to users who truly need it.
- Implement Just-in-Time (JIT) access: Provide temporary admin rights when necessary.
- Use privilege management tools: Automate access requests and implement security policies.
Pro Tip: Replace standing admin accounts with ephemeral, on-demand accounts using a PAM solution.
Restricting admin rights does not mean reducing efficiency. It means securing systems without disrupting workflows.
Poorly managed admin rights expose businesses to network security risks and insider threats. Instead of granting broad privileges, businesses require a better approach that ensures security without disrupting workflows. Let’s check out how you can make managing admin rights better.
1. Identify and Eliminate Local Admin Rights
Uncontrolled local admin access creates security vulnerabilities. This first step is about auditing all the systems to detect users with admin privileges. This is what helps you identify unauthorized access and reduces the risk of privilege misuse.
2. Restrict Permanent Admin Privileges with Just-in-Time Access
Getting excess admin privileges increases the risk of insider threats and external attacks. Rather than granting permanent admin rights, businesses must implement Just-in-Time (JIT) access. This allows temporary elevation only when necessary. Solutions that provide JIT access like Securden eliminates the requirement for always on admin rights by provisioning and revoking access based on role based policies.
3. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for Admin Actions
Deploying authentication methods like MFA for admin accounts helps you strengthen your security. Even in case of compromised credentials, unauthorized access is blocked without the second authenticaiot factor.
4. Continuously Monitor and Audit Admin Activities
You identify suspicious behaviour early when you track admin actions. Businesses must maintain audit logs and set up real-time alerts. Along with this, they must regularly review access patterns to identify the associated risks.
When you have a better admin rights strategy, ensuring security becomes easier without compromising the efficiency. Best practices help businesses maintain appropriate control over admin access while allowing employees to conduct their tasks securely.
When you manually manage admin rights, it leads to excessive privileges and security gaps. A Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution like Securden efficiently secures administrative access without compromising productivity. Here is how Securden’s PAM solution improves admin rights security:
1. Provides Just-in-Time (JIT) Access Without Permanent Admin Privileges
Securden eliminates standing admin privileges by allowing temporary as well as time-bound access based on approval workflows. This practice prevents privileged escalation risks and insider threats.
2. Offers Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) for Granular Admin Permissions
With Securden’s centralized admin rights management, businesses can implement role-based access control where they can define, assign, and revoke privileges based on user roles and responsibilities.
3. Implements Credential Vaulting & Secure Session Management
Instead of users managing admin passwords, Securden securely stores and rotates credentials. This makes it easier to protect privileged accounts.
4. Enforces Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for Critical Admin Actions
Securden enforces MFA for high-risk tasks to ensure additional security layers beyond passwords. Admins must verify their identity before performing critical operations.
5. Automates Audits & Compliance Reporting for Better Security
Securden provides detailed audit trails, which help you track every admin activity. With detailed reports, businesses can meet compliance requirements and quickly identify security risks.
Ready to Future-Proof Admin Rights Management?
Move beyond outdated access models. Embrace Just-in-Time access, zero standing privileges, and automated controls.
Striking the right balance between security and usability is important. Over-restricting admin rights can frustrate employees, which leads to inefficiencies, while excessive access increases security risks. The key is to implement a controlled yet flexible approach that protects your systems without slowing down operations.
Implementing least privilege access prevents unauthorized changes while allowing users to perform necessary tasks. JIT access grants temporary admin rights to reduce exposure. Secure credential management eliminates shared passwords, while automated approval workflows streamline admin access requests.
With Securden, you get a centralized solution to manage admin rights. It ensures strict access control and minimizes risks associated with excessive privileges. Schedule your demo and experience better admin rights management.
As cybersecurity evolves, many organizations are preparing for a future where admin access is ephemeral and passwordless. Tools like Securden pave the way for this transformation by offering just-in-time access and eliminating standing credentials.
