As organizations rely on an increasingly complex network of users, applications and infrastructure, managing privileged access to prevent cyber attacks has become both more critical and more complicated.
The rapid adoption of cloud, hybrid and multi-vendor environments, combined with the rising sophistication and AI-powered escalation of cyber attacks, has amplified the need for solutions that can enforce secure, scalable and centralized access controls.
These are from a Keeper Security report, findings of which are based on a global survey of 4,000 IT and security leaders in organizations with at least 250 employees. Respondents were based in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Fieldwork was conducted online between March 25 and April 11, 2025.
“Every system, whether in the cloud, on-premises or remote, is a potential entry point that necessitates adaptive and secure controls to defend against modern threats,” said Darren Guccione, CEO and co-founder of Keeper Security.
“Modern, zero-trust PAM doesn’t just mitigate risk; it enables organizations to shift from a reactive defense posture to proactive, pervasive control,” said Guccione.
Findings show that PAM enhances security. More than half (53%) of organizations that implemented PAM report improved protection of sensitive data. Credential theft remains one of the most common causes of breaches, underscoring PAM’s critical role as a frontline defense.
Privilege misuse incidents decline. Globally, 49% of respondents with a PAM solution reported a reduction in security incidents tied to privilege misuse. In the U.S., that number was even higher, at 53%.
Barriers to adoption persist. Implementation complexity was cited as a top challenge by 44% of respondents globally, emphasizing the need for user-friendly solutions that are simple to deploy. Cultural and awareness gaps remain as well.
On-prem environments are out, with 94% of organizations now operating in hybrid or cloud-first environments. As infrastructure evolves, so must access controls – requiring adaptable PAM platforms.
Human error remains a risk factor. Even with tools in place, risky practices persist. Among non-PAM users, 8% still store credentials in spreadsheets, and 13% of organizations audit privileged access only once a year or less, leaving standing permissions unchecked for extended periods. Organizations need comprehensive security posture information about end-user behavior.
When fully implemented, PAM delivers measurable benefits across the enterprise, with respondents reporting better data protection, reduced cyber incidents and stronger compliance.
A PAM solution like KeeperPAM is designed for today’s distributed workforces – delivering secure credential storage, zero-trust network access, seamless integrations and real-time monitoring built for cloud and hybrid environments.
