Term · 27. Emerging Categories 2024-2026
Just-In-Time (JIT) Access JIT
Just-in-time (JIT) access grants elevated or sensitive permissions only for the moment they are needed and automatically revokes them afterward, eliminating standing privileges. A user requests access, it is approved (often with a reason and time limit), used, then removed. JIT is a core Zero Trust and PAM practice that shrinks the attack surface — there are no always-on admin rights for an attacker to find.
Definition
Authorization model granting elevated privileges only when needed and for a limited time window, after approval. Replaces standing administrator rights with ephemeral grants that auto-expire (typically 1-8 hours). Reduces attack surface — compromised credentials yield no privileges unless an active JIT grant is in place. Foundation of Zero Standing Privilege (ZSP).
- Synonyms
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- Just-in-Time provisioning
- Application
- Regulatory: Gartner Magic Quadrant / Hype Cycle · NIST SP 800-63 (Digital Identity Guidelines)
- Standards & regulations
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- Gartner
- NIST
- Sources
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- Microsoft Entra Privileged Identity Management (JIT pattern) primary source
- CyberArk JIT Access overview industry commentary
Related terms
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Privileged Account Monitoring
Continuous oversight of privileged account activity — login events, command execution, session metadata, configuration c …
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Zero Standing Privilege (ZSP)
Operating model where no human identity holds permanent administrative privileges. All elevated access is granted Just-I …
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Bastion Host
Hardened gateway server providing controlled access to internal systems — users connect to bastion, then jump to target …
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CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) (CMMC)
US Department of Defense framework certifying cybersecurity practices of Defense Industrial Base (DIB) contractors handl …
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Privileged Account (PA)
Account with elevated rights to administer systems, modify configurations, access sensitive data, or bypass standard con …
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Privileged Account Discovery
Automated scanning of systems to discover privileged accounts (admin, root, service accounts with elevated rights). Crit …
Frequently asked questions
Why eliminate standing privileges?
Standing always-on admin rights are a prime target: if an account is compromised, the attacker inherits them immediately. JIT means privileges exist only briefly and with an audit trail, so a stolen credential is far less useful.
How is JIT access implemented?
Through PAM and IGA tools that broker time-bound elevation: request, approval, temporary grant, automatic expiry. It is often combined with approval workflows, session recording and least privilege.
JIT access vs least privilege?
Least privilege limits how much access a subject has; JIT limits how long they have it. Together they ensure users hold the minimum rights for the minimum time — JIT is least privilege applied to time.