Just-in-Time (JIT) access

Just-In-Time (JIT) access is a method where elevated privileges (e.g., admin rights) are granted only when needed and automatically expire after a short, approved window. Rather than possessing standing privileges full-time, a user or process requests escalation to perform a specific task—like installing software on a server—and reverts to normal privileges once done. Automated systems or workflows handle the request (possibly requiring manager approval), enabling ephemeral privileges. 

JIT is part of a zero trust approach, ensuring no continuous high-level rights exist by default. Early forms of JIT appeared in operating systems that let users temporarily “run as administrator.” Modern JIT tools integrate with IAM, logging the reason for privilege escalation and enforcing time-limits. This drastically reduces the window in which an attacker could exploit stolen credentials.

How does it affect identity security?

By restricting the availability of privileged credentials to a minimal timeframe, JIT access shrinks the attack surface. Even if an admin’s password is compromised, the attacker only gains normal user privileges unless they can request or hijack a JIT elevation in real-time. JIT also fosters accountability: every privileged session must be explicitly requested and (often) approved, creating an auditable trail. 

Many insider threat scenarios become less feasible if employees can’t hold admin rights indefinitely. This approach addresses the “always-on privilege” problem, which has led to numerous breaches. If a developer or IT staff typically has domain admin 24/7, any infiltration of that user’s machine means domain admin rights for attackers. JIT eliminates that constant risk. 

In short, JIT is vital for identity security by ensuring high-level privileges are ephemeral, making it harder for attackers to exploit and easier for security teams to detect suspicious escalation attempts.

Case studies

According to internal Boeing security briefings, a suspicious request for elevated privileges by a contractor to access design documents triggered an additional manual approval. This prevented a potential leak during the time-limited window. While specifics are not fully public, Boeing disclosed that ephemeral admin access helped contain the incident. 

Another relevant example is the 2022 Okta sub-processor breach: had all support engineer privileges been JIT-based, the attacker who compromised a support engineer’s account might have faced an extra hurdle in performing privileged tasks. JIT ensures that even if an account is compromised, it cannot automatically perform privileged actions without raising alarms or requiring further approvals.

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