Understanding how to manage privilege escalation—where someone gains unauthorized access to more resources—across network boundaries is key for technology managers seeking to protect organizational assets. Knowing how to handle this ensures that your company’s network and data remain safe and secure.
What is Privilege Escalation?
Privilege escalation happens when someone gains access to data or resources beyond their intended reach. There are two types: horizontal and vertical. In horizontal escalation, the intruder gains access to the same level of information but across different accounts—a peer’s email account, for instance. Vertical escalation is more dangerous, as it involves gaining higher privileges, such as an ordinary user obtaining admin rights.
Why It Matters
For technology managers, keeping a close eye on these types of escalations is crucial. When unauthorized users access sensitive information, it can lead to data breaches, legal troubles, and trust issues, damaging the organization’s reputation and finances.
Managing Escalation Beyond Network Boundaries
Spotting and preventing privilege escalation is challenging, especially when it involves crossing network boundaries like transitioning from one system to another. Here’s how you can tackle the issue effectively:
1. Network Segmentation
What: Splitting your network into smaller segments.
Why: This limits the movement of unauthorized users within your network.
How: Use firewalls and access controls to segment the network based on user roles and functions.