Modern JIT for OCI: Where Oracle Identity Manager PS3 Misses the Mark

Oracle Identity Manager (OIM) PS3 automates user provisioning, identity administration, and password management, integrating seamlessly with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and Oracle resources. Although Oracle Identity Manager PS3 is a powerful identity management product, it isn’t without its shortcomings — especially when it comes to Just-in-Time (JIT) provisioning, a security feature that enables automated user account provisioning based on user authentication or authorization events. In this article, we will explore the limitations of OIM PS3 for JIT provisioning and discuss the benefits of implementing a modern JIT solution for OCI and beyond. 

What Is Oracle Identity Manager PS3?

Oracle Identity Manager PS3 is the current version of Oracle's identity management software. It’s intended to provide organizations with a comprehensive solution for managing identities and access privileges across their entire IT infrastructure. Using this solution,  organizations can consolidate user identity management tasks, reduce administrative burden, and streamline the enforcement of access policies and controls. OIM PS3 boasts many features and capabilities, including automated user provisioning, password management, organization and role management, and more. 

Where Does Oracle Identity Manager PS3 Fall Short?

Although Oracle Identity Manager PS3 is a useful toolset, some users struggle with its limitations. Let’s explore some of the potential drawbacks of using OIM PS3.

Limited support for non-Oracle technologies

Since Oracle Identity Manager PS3 is primarily designed to work with other Oracle technologies, users are sometimes challenged when working with certain non-Oracle products. The lack of robust documentation for integration with some third-party tools can make it difficult for businesses to use their existing resources effectively.

Complex implementation

Implementing Oracle Identity Manager PS3 can be a time-consuming process. The complexities inherent in OIM PS3 make setup difficult and may require someone with technical expertise to ensure a successful deployment.

Steep learning curve

For those unfamiliar with OIM, sifting through the documentation needed to get up to speed can make it difficult for new users to get started.

High cost

Oracle Identity Manager PS3 can be expensive for small businesses with limited budgets. The high costs associated with this technology can be prohibitive for those with limited budgets. 

How Modern Multi-Cloud JIT Privileged Access Strengthens OCI

Especially for businesses operating in a multi-cloud environment, managing privileged access has grown more complex. Just-in-Time provisioning streamlines the process of granting and revoking privileged access, allowing organizations to provide resource access only when and where needed to reduce opportunities for unauthorized access. A privileged access management (PAM) platform brings the benefits of modern JIT not only to OCI, but also to other cloud platforms and on-premises systems.

Consistently enforces Least Privilege Access (LPA)

The principle of least privilege involves granting users or processes only the access required to complete a task. Resource access is time-limited, with access being automatically revoked after a certain amount of time. Right-sizing permissions reduces risk since users aren’t granted more permissions than required. In the event that a user’s credentials are compromised, hackers are restricted in what they can accomplish and for how long. By doing away with always-on access, JIT can significantly reduce an organization’s attack surface. 

Maintains productivity without introducing unnecessary risk

When security processes slow down users' access to required resources, productivity suffers. A PAM solution with JIT capabilities gives cloud security administrators fine-grained control over when and where access can be granted and for how long. This level of customization makes it possible to tailor access to meet the needs of business users promptly while still maintaining high security standards. With a similar process applied to non-human entities like scripts and APIs, workflows can be optimized without sacrificing the security of the sensitive cloud and on-premise resources.

Supports a Zero Trust posture

As the name implies, the Zero Trust security framework is based on the assumption that all network traffic, devices, and users represent potential threats. This model requires that all users be verified and authenticated before being granted access to sensitive resources. JIT access supports Zero Trust by requiring users to reauthenticate if additional time is needed. JIT and other security methods that support Zero Trust reduce the likelihood of a security breach and can minimize the severity of a breach if one does occur. 

Built for multi-cloud environments 

Today, many organizations use multiple cloud platforms and applications, taking full advantage of the benefits that these modern technologies provide. But this approach introduces a much greater level of complexity that can increase risk if not addressed appropriately. A PAM platform cuts through the complexity, helping admins quickly identify and eliminate unnecessary user privileges and right-sizing those privileges to minimize the risk they pose to organizational security. Security teams can also use this solution to identify and resolve security vulnerabilities, including misconfigurations and high-risk permissions, across the organization’s SaaS, IaaS, PaaS, and DaaS solutions. 

Applying JIT Privileged Access Across Clouds

In the fast-changing world of identity management, efficient and effective tools help protect businesses from the damaging effects of a breach. By granting access to resources, systems, or information only when needed and for the minimum required time, JIT privileged access minimizes the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive resources. A cloud-native platform that automates multi-cloud privilege identity management enables consistently applying modern JIT to all cloud and on-premise systems and applications, helping protect your critical data and infrastructure from compromise. 

Read Achieving Just-In-Time Privileges in Multi-Cloud Environments to learn how multi-cloud organizations benefit from a privileged access management system.