Sensitive Access
Tensor9 for Sensitive Access Scenarios
Vendors of cybersecurity platforms, IT support solutions, and enterprise SaaS tools often need permissions to perform sensitive operations within their customers' environments. These operations can include managing IAM roles in AWS, interacting with Salesforce accounts, or performing administrative tasks in Microsoft Exchange. Sensitive access permissions enable vendors to perform critical actions, but they also introduce security and compliance risks if not handled transparently and securely.
The Challenge
Many enterprise customers are cautious about granting vendors elevated permissions for support, configuration, or troubleshooting. Traditional SaaS models often require persistent access to sensitive systems, which can create security vulnerabilities and introduce compliance risks. For customers handling sensitive workloads, granting these permissions without proper control can conflict with their internal security policies.
For example, an IT support platform vendor may need permissions to reset user credentials in Microsoft Exchange or manage IAM roles in AWS. However, customers are often reluctant to grant vendors ongoing administrative access due to the potential for privilege escalation, unauthorized actions, or unmonitored changes.
How Tensor9 Helps
Tensor9 enables vendors to provide their software and support without requiring persistent, unsupervised permissions to sensitive systems in the customer’s environment. Instead, Tensor9 enforces customer-controlled, time-limited workflows for sensitive access.
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Full Functionality Without Persistent Access:
Tensor9 deploys the vendor’s software directly within the customer’s environment (e.g., private cloud, on-prem, air-gapped network), enabling the app to run natively without requiring external vendor access to sensitive systems. -
Supervised, Time-Limited Permissions:
When sensitive access is needed (e.g., performing IAM updates or interacting with a third-party SaaS account), Tensor9 facilitates audit-logged, customer-supervised workflows. Customers can grant temporary permissions, track usage, and revoke access at any time. -
Action Transparency:
All sensitive operations performed through Tensor9—such as API calls or administrative actions—are appended to the customer's audit log for full traceability. This ensures that both vendors and customers have visibility into what actions were performed, when, and by whom. -
Customizable Access Policies:
Customers can define access policies that specify which sensitive actions are allowed, such as assigning roles in AWS or managing Salesforce accounts. Tensor9 enforces these policies and prevents unauthorized actions.
Example Scenario: Cybersecurity Support Platform for an Enterprise Customer
A cybersecurity vendor offers a platform that detects and mitigates threats by managing user permissions and automating security workflows. To remediate incidents, the vendor’s platform may need sensitive access to manage IAM roles, adjust security groups, or disable compromised accounts.
The enterprise customer faces the following challenges:
- Traditional support platforms require continuous administrative access, which could conflict with their internal security posture.
- Actions such as role provisioning or disabling access must be traceable and logged for auditing purposes.
By using Tensor9, the vendor can support the customer without needing persistent access:
- The vendor’s platform performs sensitive operations within the customer’s environment following predefined, customer-approved workflows.
- The customer retains full control over access requests and can monitor every action.
- Temporary permissions are granted for specific sessions and expire automatically to minimize risk.
Benefits
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Improved Security Posture:
Customers retain full control over sensitive access, reducing the risk of unauthorized actions or privilege misuse. -
Increased Customer Trust:
By enabling granular, audit-logged access workflows, vendors demonstrate a commitment to transparency and security. -
Reduced Operational Overhead:
Tensor9’s secure workflows minimize the need for in-person visits and complex manual processes to handle sensitive access. -
Flexible Support for Enterprise Customers:
Vendors can support customers across industries—not just regulated markets—by offering secure workflows for sensitive access.
Why This Matters
Sensitive access permissions are essential for many operational tasks but can pose serious security and compliance risks if not properly managed. Tensor9 helps vendors meet these demands by providing secure, time-limited access workflows that ensure permissions are granted transparently and revoked automatically. This enables vendors to support their customers effectively without compromising sensitive systems, improving security, efficiency, and customer confidence.
Updated 5 days ago