In the hierarchy of corporate cybersecurity, there is a risk that often goes unnoticed until it is too late: excessive user privileges. Historically, many companies in Latin America have granted administrative rights indiscriminately to facilitate support tasks or allow employees to install their own software. However, at Aufiero Informática, based on our experience since 2003, we know that a user with administrative rights is the primary target of any cyberattack. If an employee is deceived by phishing and has elevated privileges, the attacker automatically gains the master keys to the entire infrastructure.
The answer to this challenge is Privileged Access Management (PAM) under a Zero Trust model. In this technical post, we explore how Heimdal Security, through the strategic distribution of Aufiero Informática, is helping companies implement “Least Privilege” policies without sacrificing productivity.
The Hidden Danger of Local Administrative Rights
The concept of the “local administrator” has long been the Achilles’ heel of endpoint security. When a user has these permissions, malware can run, install, and persist in the system with total freedom. Furthermore, it allows the attacker to disable security solutions, delete audit logs, and extract credentials from memory. At Aufiero Informática, we advise organizations across all sectors to understand that modern cybersecurity is not about restricting operations, but about managing them with intelligence. Eliminating permanent administrative rights is the most effective individual measure to stop an attacker’s lateral movement and prevent the execution of advanced ransomware.
How Heimdal Security PAM Works?
Unlike traditional PAM solutions that are complex to implement and costly to maintain, Heimdal’s approach is agile and user-centric. The solution we distribute allows companies to adopt the Just-in-Time (JIT) Access model. This means that all users in the organization operate with standard (limited) privileges by default. When a collaborator needs to perform a technical task, they request a temporary elevation of privileges with a single click. The IT administrator can approve this request instantly from the Heimdal central console. Once the task is finished, the privileges are automatically revoked, returning the system to a secure state.
The Benefits of Controlled Privilege Elevation
Implementing PAM through Aufiero Informática transforms the company’s security dynamics:
- Massive reduction of the attack surface: By eliminating permanent privileges, the main route through which malware scales within a network is closed.
- Audit Compliance: Heimdal generates detailed records of who requested privileges, for which application, and for how long.
- Frictionless Productivity: Technical support no longer has to connect remotely to every computer. The user can do it safely and supervised.
- Prevention of Shadow IT: By controlling which applications can elevate privileges, the company has full control over the software installed.
Integration with the Aufiero Informática Ecosystem
Our mission at Aufiero Informática is to provide access to high-quality digital tools that empower technological knowledge and security. With a catalog exceeding one thousand products and alliances with more than 65 global brands, we understand that PAM is just one piece of the puzzle. When a company chooses to implement PAM with us, it receives complete strategic advice. We analyze their workflow and design a privilege policy that is as robust as it is flexible. Since 2003, we have been a benchmark in Latin America because we don’t just distribute software; we offer solutions that allow companies to grow without fear of the digital environment.
