Introducing SailPoint Privileged Task Automation: Secure and scalable automation for repeatable privileged tasks

To keep organizations running smoothly, IT operations teams must execute many maintenance tasks that require privileged credentials, which unlock access to critical assets. While some ad-hoc tasks require expert knowledge and specialized skills, many involve routine, repetitive, and manual work. The single-team approach to task execution, paired with an ever-growing list of tasks, has resulted in IT backlogs and operational bottlenecks.

To complicate matters, most privileged credentials required to execute these repetitive tasks often give users broad and 'always-on' access, posing a significant risk, as privileged credentials are implicated in many cybersecurity breaches today.

To help address this persistent problem, we are pleased to introduce SailPoint Privileged Task Automation. This new capability, part of SailPoint Identity Security Cloud, represents an evolutionary step forward in the way organizations manage the execution of tasks that require privileged credentials. Privileged Task Automation helps organizations significantly enhance IT operations' accuracy, efficiency, and governance by automating and delegating the execution of repeatable privileged tasks.

This capability also allows enterprises to mitigate the risk of credential abuse or misuse by removing the need for users to see the credentials needed to execute privileged tasks, helping improve productivity and enhance security.

Accelerate task automation with low-code, centralized authoring

While automation scripts can enhance an organization’s efficiency, they also present notable downsides, particularly regarding security risks and process inefficiencies. Poorly managed or unsecured scripts may inadvertently expose sensitive data, including privileged credentials, making them attractive cyberattack targets.

Additionally, scripts lacking proper oversight or version control can lead to inconsistencies in task execution, potentially causing system misconfigurations, data corruption, or even service outages. Without a centralized governance structure, automation scripts may be duplicated or misused, which can introduce inefficiencies as teams spend time reinventing or troubleshooting scripts instead of improving processes.

With Privileged Task Automation, organizations can leverage out-of-the-box templates and low-code automation to build and customize task workflows to meet their needs. Implementing low-code automation for building and configuring privileged task workflows may offer significant benefits, including faster development and easier maintenance of automated processes without extensive coding expertise. It allows IT teams and non-technical staff to more efficiently create, modify, and deploy automated workflows while reducing the risk of errors associated with manual scripting.

Privileged Task Automation also offers a centralized repository to manage tasks so organizations can ensure better control, consistency, and security for storing and managing these tasks. A centralized repository enables version control, audit trails, and easy access to approved task workflows, minimizing duplication and unauthorized changes while improving overall transparency, governance, and operational efficiency. 

Additionally, Privileged Task Automation integrates with common credential vaults, eliminating the need to add administrative credentials or enable session management for the execution of privileged tasks.

Reduce bottlenecks and improve operational efficiencies by delegating the execution of routine privileged tasks

Delegating the execution of routine, repeatable privileged tasks to general IT staff and business users, rather than concentrating these tasks solely on IT operations, can significantly reduce bottlenecks and improve operational efficiency. By leveraging Privileged Task Automation, organizations can allow users to execute predefined privileged tasks without exposing sensitive credentials.

This approach frees IT operations personnel to focus on more complex and critical issues while allowing day-to-day tasks like software updates or access modifications to be completed more quickly. Organizations can further streamline this process by integrating task delegation to their existing identity lifecycle process, access request, and governance processes, helping ensure that users are granted and maintain the appropriate level of access and that it can be easily adjusted or revoked as needed. It also improves productivity and security by maintaining centralized control over privileged access without unnecessary delays.

Improve security by regularly validating the assignment of privileged tasks

Regularly validating the assignment of privileged tasks and removing access as organizational needs change is crucial for improving security. Privileged Task Automation enables the reviewing and adjusting of who has the authority to perform privileged tasks. This process helps to ensure that only those with the correct entitlement and current need for access retain it, reducing the risk of insider threats or accidental misuse.

This practice also limits the exposure of critical systems and data by helping prevent outdated or unnecessary privileges from persisting beyond their required timeframe. As teams evolve and employees move within or leave the organization, timely removal or adjustment of access rights helps ensure that privileged tasks do not fall into the wrong hands. This proactive validation also supports compliance with security standards and regulatory requirements, helping to safeguard critical infrastructure and minimize the risk of breaches or unauthorized access.

Enterprises can leverage SailPoint Identity Security Cloud and Privileged Task Automation to enhance operational efficiency and security. This evolutionary approach to privileged task management provides low-code automation, a centralized repository to manage and secure privileged tasks, and the ability to delegate privileged tasks to IT staff and business users.

Ready to accelerate task automation?

Learn more about the comprehensive benefits of SailPoint Identity Security Cloud and Privileged Task Automation or get a demo to see the solution in action.