Problem overview
Unauthorized admin access is a critical security risk, leading to potential breaches, non-compliance, and unauthorized control over systems. Monitoring admin accounts manually across multiple platforms is inefficient, leaving gaps in security.
Monitors
- Unauthorized Admins (User monitor) Unauthorized Admins (User monitor)
This cross-platform Admin Monitoring Policy provides real-time alerts whenever new or unexpected admin users are detected on devices. It leverages the Authorized Admins custom field to define authorized admin users globally or override settings at group and device levels. Paired with alert notifications, you can ensure no unauthorized admin remains unnoticed.
For added security, integrate this monitor with a remediation automation to automatically disable unauthorized admin accounts, giving you a proactive defense mechanism for high-stakes environments. It’s easy to configure and requires no coding—we’ve handled all the technical heavy lifting for you.
Recommended Automation Pairings for Remediation
- Windows - Unauthorized Admins → Windows Admin Compliance & Remediation
- macOS - Unauthorized Admins → macOS Admin Compliance & Remediation
- Linux - Unauthorized Admins → Linux Admin Compliance & Remediation
By pairing these monitors with the corresponding remediation automations, unauthorized admin accounts can be identified and removed automatically, ensuring a seamless enforcement of security policies.
Use cases
- Security: Instantly identify unauthorized admin accounts that could compromise your systems.
- Compliance: Maintain adherence to regulations requiring strict admin access controls.
- Sensitive Environments: Monitor admin activity in high-security settings like healthcare, finance, or government.
- Proactive Incident Response: Pair with automation to disable unauthorized admins immediately.
- Multi-Platform Security – Monitor admin access across Windows, macOS, and Linux without manual checks.
Recommendations
- Define Authorized Admins Globally – Use the Authorized Admins custom field to set approved users at the global, group, or device level.
- Pair with Remediation Automation – Ensure immediate action is taken when unauthorized admins are found.
- Regularly Review Admin Lists – Keep your approved admin list updated to reflect personnel changes.
- Test Before Deployment – Add a test admin user outside the approved list to confirm alerts trigger correctly.
- Enable Notifications – Configure alerts to notify the appropriate team members for quick response.