Just-In-Time and Break-Glass Access: Precision for Routine, Speed for Emergencies

Just-In-Time Access cuts standing privileges down to zero. Users or systems get the exact permissions they need for a specific task, at the exact moment they need them, and lose them immediately after. No permanent keys. No lingering risk. This approach limits the attack surface, reduces insider threats, and meets compliance demands without slowing critical work.

Break-Glass Access is the emergency lane. When normal Just-In-Time workflows fail—because an integration is broken, a service is down, or a security gate is locked by accident—Break-Glass processes allow fast, audited elevation. Access is granted only to verified identities, usually paired with multi-factor authentication. Every action inside a Break-Glass session is logged for forensic review.

When combined, Just-In-Time Access handles the routine with precision, and Break-Glass covers the extraordinary. Both demand strict control: enforce time limits, scope rules, and session recording. Integrate with identity providers, use policy engines, and monitor continuously. Automate revocation. Restrict who can request Break-Glass and ensure every instance triggers alerts.

This dual model removes the need for long-lived admin accounts, protects against credential theft, and ensures that even urgent access is accountable. Engineering teams can deliver uptime without handing attackers a permanent key.

See how Just-In-Time Access and Break-Glass Access operate together in real time—spin it up on hoop.dev and watch it work in minutes.