Best Practices

Implementation of Endpoint Privilege Manager

Endpoint Privilege Manager Deployment Best Practices

Successfully deploying Privileged Elevation and Delegation Management (PEDM) requires a phased approach that balances security with operational continuity. This guide outlines the recommended strategy for implementing Keeper's Endpoint Privilege Manager across your organization.

Phase 1: Foundation and Discovery (Week 1-2)

Start with Monitor Mode

Begin your deployment by setting all policies to Monitor mode. This allows you to understand baseline privilege usage without disrupting user workflows.

• Deploy the Keeper agent to a pilot group of endpoints (10-20% of your environment)

• Set all initial policies to "Monitor" mode to observe privilege elevation patterns

• Allow 1-2 weeks for comprehensive data collection

• Focus on diverse endpoint types: developer workstations, standard user machines, and servers

Monitor Mode Policy

Analyze Privilege Usage Patterns

During the monitoring phase, examine the dashboard for:

• Frequent elevation requests: Applications and processes that regularly require admin privileges

• User behavior patterns: Which users need elevated access and when

• Legitimate business processes: Operations that require admin rights for valid reasons

• Anomalous activity: Unusual privilege requests that may indicate security risks

Monitoring Mode

Establish Collections and Organizational Structure

Create meaningful collections based on your findings:

• User Groups: Organize by role (Developers, IT Staff, Standard Users, Executives)

• Machine Collections: Group by function (Development Workstations, Servers, Kiosks)

• Application Collections: Categorize business-critical vs. administrative tools

• Custom Collections: Create specific groups for unique organizational needs

Phase 2: Gradual Policy Implementation (Week 3-6)

Begin with Monitor & Notify

Transition key policies from Monitor to Monitor & Notify mode:

• Start with less critical applications and user groups

• Focus on policies that showed consistent patterns during monitoring

• Allow users to adapt to notifications before enforcement begins

• Communicate changes to affected users in advance

Implement Basic Controls

Introduce foundational security measures with minimal user friction:

• Justification Requirements: Start with simple justification policies for standard elevation requests

• Time-based Restrictions: Apply stricter policies outside business hours

• Application-specific Policies: Control access to high-risk or unnecessary administrative tools

Test Approval Workflows

For sensitive operations, implement approval-based policies:

• Begin with a small group of trusted approvers

• Test approval workflows with non-critical applications first

• Establish clear escalation procedures and timeframes

• Ensure 24/7 coverage for business-critical approvals

Phase 3: Enforcement and Least Privilege (Week 7-12)

Implement Least Privilege Gradually

Deploy the core least privilege model in phases:

• Pilot Group: Start with 10-20 volunteer users from IT or security teams

• Low-Risk Users: Expand to users with minimal admin needs

• Standard Users: Remove local admin rights from general workforce

• Power Users: Work with developers and IT staff to refine their specific needs

Deploy MFA Requirements

Add multi-factor authentication for sensitive operations:

• Prioritize MFA for high-risk applications and system modifications

• Ensure users are enrolled in Keeper vaults with appropriate 2FA methods

• Provide clear setup instructions and support resources

• Test MFA workflows during off-hours and emergency scenarios

Establish Advanced Policy Controls

Implement sophisticated policy combinations:

• Layered Policies: Apply multiple policies to the same resources for defense-in-depth

• Conditional Access: Use date/time windows for varying security levels

• Application-specific Controls: Fine-tune policies based on application behavior

• File Access Controls: Protect sensitive executables and system files

Phase 4: Optimization and Full Deployment (Week 13+)

Scale to Full Environment

Expand to your complete endpoint fleet:

• Deploy in batches of 100-200 endpoints per week

• Monitor system performance and user feedback

• Adjust policies based on operational requirements

• Maintain emergency bypass procedures for critical situations

Continuous Monitoring and Refinement

Establish ongoing operational practices:

• Weekly Reviews: Analyze elevation requests and policy effectiveness

• Monthly Assessments: Review and adjust policies based on business changes

• Quarterly Audits: Comprehensive evaluation of privilege management effectiveness

• Annual Policy Reviews: Update policies to reflect organizational changes

Key Success Factors

Communication and Training

• Provide clear documentation on new processes and expectations

• Offer training sessions for end users on the new privilege model

• Establish help desk procedures for privilege-related issues

• Create self-service resources for common elevation requests

Technical Considerations

• Ensure network connectivity for agent communication

• Plan for offline policy evaluation capabilities

• Implement proper logging and alerting for security events

• Establish backup procedures for critical system access

Policy Design Best Practices

• Start Restrictive: Apply the most restrictive policy when multiple policies conflict

• Granular Controls: Use specific application and user targeting rather than broad policies

• Business Alignment: Align policies with actual business processes and risk tolerance

• Regular Updates: Keep policies current with changing business needs and threat landscape

Emergency Procedures

• Maintain emergency break-glass procedures for critical system access

• Document escalation paths for urgent privilege requests

• Establish clear criteria for temporary policy suspension

• Ensure 24/7 contact information for emergency approvals

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Rushing Implementation: Take time to understand usage patterns before enforcing policies

• Over-Engineering: Start simple and add complexity gradually

• Insufficient Communication: Keep users informed throughout the deployment process

• Ignoring Business Impact: Consider operational requirements when designing policies

• Lack of Monitoring: Continuously monitor and adjust based on real-world usage

Measuring Success

Track these key metrics to evaluate deployment effectiveness:

• Reduction in Standing Admin Rights: Percentage of users removed from local admin groups

• Policy Compliance: Adherence to established privilege management policies

• User Satisfaction: Feedback on process efficiency and user experience

• Security Incidents: Reduction in privilege-related security events

• Operational Efficiency: Time to resolution for legitimate privilege requests

By following this phased approach, organizations can successfully deploy Endpoint Privilege Manager while maintaining operational continuity and user satisfaction. The key is to move gradually, monitor continuously, and adjust based on real-world usage patterns and feedback.