You might not realize how perilously close you are to your next breach: over 60% of data breaches stem from stolen or compromised credentials, with human error playing a role in 68% of incidents, according to Deepstrike.io. Meanwhile, a staggering 74% of breaches begin with misuse of privileged credentials.
If you rely solely on IAM or ignore privileged control, you’re crafting holes in your defenses. You need both strong identity governance and privileged controls.
In this blog, you’ll break down core distinctions, understand how they complement each other, and gain actionable insight so you can choose wisely and strategically.
What is Identity Access Management?
Identity Access Management (commonly referred to as IAM) is the foundational layer of access management.
It governs who can access what, from authentication (SSO, passwords, MFA) to authorization and user lifecycle management.
You create and enforce policies across the workforce, contractors, and partners. IAM ensures every identity is managed and authenticated consistently, reducing chaos and exposure.
Get the Right Access Management Solution for Your Needs
Ensure your data is protected from error and mishap!
What is Privileged Access Management?
Privileged Identity and Access Management adds a focused layer on top of IAM for high-risk credentials, including admin logins, root accounts, and service-level tokens.
You employ vaulting, session recording, just‑in‑time elevation, and least privilege. PAM protects the accounts that can inflict the most damage if compromised, guarding against both external and insider threats.
Privileged Access Management vs Identity Access Management: The Difference Between IAM and PAM
| Feature | IAM | PAM |
| Scope | Broad user identity + access | High‑privilege account governance |
| Typical Users | Employees, contractors, partners | Admins, IT, execs, DevOps, machine/service identities |
| Focus | Authentication, provisioning, lifecycle | Vaulting, session control, JIT elevation, auditing |
| Risk Addressed | Credential misuse, unauthorized access | Privileged credential breach, misuse, audit non‑compliance |
| Integration | HRIS, directories, SSO/MFA | Vault server, proxy gateway, activity logging |
IAM and PAM Combined: Why Converging Them Strengthens You
Handling PAM vs IAM as separate silos creates dangerous blind spots.
You’ll benefit from unified identity analytics and cross-tool policy enforcement. When you “deprovision” a departing user, both regular access and privileged rights are revoked together.
Unified logging and reporting enhance your visibility, improve audit readiness, and reduce intervention time.
Identity Access Management vs Privileged Access Management: Architectural Differences
From a technical perspective, IAM typically integrates tightly with HR systems, Active Directory, cloud directories, SSO/MFA tools, and lifecycle workflows.
PAM sits alongside, often installed as vault appliances or secure proxy servers, and session recorders. Deployment complexity is higher: PAM requires secure vault infrastructure, just-in-time provisioning, risk scoring, and real-time monitoring.
Integration between them means shared identity stores and synchronized policies.
Privileged Identity and Access Management in Compliance
Whether you’re facing SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIST, or CIS Controls, auditors expect evidence of control over both broad identity and high‑privilege access.
IAM provides provisioning logs, MFA evidence, entitlement reviews, and SSO enforcement. PAM gives you privileged session recordings, vault access logs, and policy enforcement for elevation events.
Together, they satisfy control families across authentication, least privilege, and auditability.
IAM vs PAM – Strategic Differences
| Aspect | IAM | PAM |
| Purpose | Manage all user identities and access | Govern elevated or hypersensitive access |
| Core Components | SSO, MFA, provisioning, directory sync | Vaulting, JIT access, session monitoring |
| Risk Mitigation | Prevent widespread credential abuse | Limit damage from privileged credential compromise |
| Compliance Evidence | Entitlement logs, access reviews | Session recording, vault logs, audit-ready elevation logs |
| Deployment Sequence | Phase 1 – identify/control identities | Phase 2 – layer privilege controls where needed |
IAM and PAM: How to Decide What Comes First
Your starting point should always be IAM; it’s foundational. Implement identity governance, SSO, lifecycle management, and MFA.
Then, layer PAM based on risk, starting with systems that hold sensitive data or have escalation rights. Track who holds admin privileges, implement vaulting, MFA on elevated accounts, and session recording.
Treat PAM as a risk-focused extension of IAM, not a standalone initiative.
Identity Management vs Access Management: Clarifying the Concepts
Sometimes people confuse “identity management” (who someone is) and “access management” (what someone can do).
IAM straddles both: it verifies identity and manages access entitlements. PAM narrows in on sensitive entitlements held by privileged or machine identities.
You must manage identity hygiene and access rights in tandem; only then can you close gaps in your coverage.
Still Undecided on IAM vs PAM? Reach out to Masada for Help
If you’re wrestling with identity access management vs privileged access management or unsure how much PAM to layer on your IAM foundation, you’re not alone.
Deep threats require a layered defense by combining IAM and PAM governed through a shared identity context. You’ll reduce risk, simplify compliance, and maintain operational agility.
| Advanced Cybersecurity Services | |
| • CyberArk | • ZeroTrust |
Contact Masada Cyber Security today for a free consultation. We’ll help you assess your identity posture, roadmap your architecture, and implement a best-fit IAM & PAM strategy that protects your organization.
