Vendor access is one of the most overlooked and abused entry points in modern environments. Third party vendors, contractors, service providers, and partners often need privileged access to critical systems. Unlike employees, they operate outside your organization’s direct control. That is where the risk begins.  

Many organizations still rely on VPNs or basic remote access tools to support vendor connectivity. These tools were built to connect users to networks, not to protect privileged access. 

When a vendor connects through a VPN, they often receive broad access to internal systems with limited visibility and weak controls. Security teams have little insight into what the vendor can access or what actions they take after connecting. This gap between access and oversight creates a serious security blind spot. 

Vendor Privileged Access Management closes that gap. In this guide, we explain what VPAM is, how it fits into a broader privileged access strategy and the leading VPAM solutions for 2026. 

What is Vendor Privileged Access Management (VPAM) 

Vendor Privileged Access Management is a specialized approach within Privileged Access Management (PAM) focused on securing third-party access to systems, infrastructure, and data.  

A VPAM solution ensures that: 

• Vendors never see or handle credentials  

• Access is granted only when needed (just in time)  

• Sessions are fully controlled, monitored, and recorded  

• Actions are governed by policy in real time  

• Access is limited strictly to approved systems and tasks  

Instead of extending trust to external users, VPAM enforces control at every step of access. This is critical because vendors often represent: 

• Persistent access pathways into your environment  

• Shared credentials across multiple organizations  

• Limited accountability and visibility  

• High-value targets for attackers  

Why VPNs Are Not a Secure Solution for Vendor Access 

VPNs remain a common way to grant vendors remote access, but they were not built to protect third party privileged access. Their purpose is network connectivity, not access control. 

When a vendor connects through a VPN, they are effectively placed inside the network. Access is typically granted based on reachability rather than on the specific systems or tasks required. As a result, vendors often end up with more access than necessary. 

Visibility is also limited. In most cases, vendor sessions are not monitored or recorded, and there is no way to enforce policy once the connection is established. VPN credentials are often long lived and shared, which increases the risk of compromise or misuse. 

This approach leads to predictable problems. Vendors become overprivileged. Compromised accounts enable lateral movement. Access persists longer than intended. Auditing activity is difficult. When incidents occur, the impact is wider because access was never properly constrained. 

In today’s threat landscape, where attackers actively target vendors as an entry point, this model is no longer sufficient. Organizations need to move away from implicit network trust and toward session level control that limits access, enforces policy, and provides clear visibility into vendor activity. 

What to Look for in a VPAM Solution 

A modern Vendor Privileged Access Management solution should provide: 

• Brokered access only (no direct connectivity)  

• Zero credential exposure to vendors  

• Just in time access with approvals and time limits  

• Granular access control to specific systems and actions  

• Full session visibility including recording and audit logs  

• Real-time enforcement during sessions  

• Vendor identity verification and accountability  

• Multi-tenant architecture for managing multiple vendors securely  

• Support for hybrid, cloud, and isolated environments  

With vendor access, the question companies need to ask is, “Are you controlling vendor access, or just enabling it?” 

Comparison of Top Vendor Privileged Access Management Solutions 

1. 12Port 

12Port is a modern, agentless Privileged Access Management platform designed to secure both internal and vendor privileged access with a strong focus on control, simplicity, and real-time enforcement. 

Unlike traditional solutions, 12Port PAM platform treats vendor access as a controlled, brokered process from the start. Vendors never connect directly to the network and never see credentials. Every session is initiated through the platform, approved, monitored, and enforced in real time. 

12Port enables organizations to provide vendors with exactly the access they need, for exactly the time required, without expanding the network attack surface. 

Key VPAM Differentiators 

• Multi-tenant architecture to securely manage multiple vendors and third parties in isolated environments  

• Built-in vendor verification and identity controls to ensure accountability and trusted access  

• Centralized account management for vendor identities and access governance  

• Agentless deployment with no endpoint installation required  

• Credential vaulting with zero exposure  

• Just in time access with approvals and policy enforcement  

• Brokered access for RDP, SSH, web, PowerShell, Kubernetes, and more  

• Full session recording including video and protocol-level transcripts  

• Real-time AI-powered session intelligence to detect anomalies and enforce policies during execution  

• Fast deployment, centralized management dashboard, and flexible pricing. Download the full-featured trial of 12Port PAM.  

2. BeyondTrust 

BeyondTrust provides strong vendor access capabilities through its Privileged Remote Access solution. It enables controlled vendor connections with session monitoring, credential injection, and approval workflows. 

Capabilities and Strengths 

• Secure remote access for vendors and internal users  

• Credential injection and integration with password vaults  

• Session recording, monitoring, and auditing  

• Approval workflows and policy-based access control  

• Strong vendor access management capabilities  

• Mature platform with established enterprise adoption  

Considerations and Limitations 

• Requires multiple components for full PAM functionality  

• Deployment and integration can be complex  

• Longer time to value compared to modern platforms  

3. CyberArk 

CyberArk is a long-standing leader in privileged access management, widely deployed across large, regulated enterprises. In 2025, it was acquired by Palo Alto Networks, reflecting a shift toward integrating privileged access into broader platform-based security architectures. 

CyberArk supports vendor privileged access through capabilities like Privileged Session Manager and secure web portals, allowing administrators and vendors to connect without exposing credentials. Sessions are isolated, monitored, and recorded, with access enforced through policies, approvals, and credential injection. 

Capabilities and Strengths 

• Enterprise-grade credential vaulting and rotation  

• Secure remote access for employees and third-party vendors  

• Privileged session isolation, monitoring, and recording  

• Credential injection with no direct credential exposure  

• Policy enforcement, approvals, and audit logging  

• Strong integration with broader security and cloud initiatives  

Considerations and Limitations 

• Complex deployment and ongoing management  

• Longer implementation timelines  

• Higher operational overhead  

• Remote access is part of a broader platform rather than a unified, purpose-built solution 

4. Delinea 

Delinea is a privileged access management platform formed from the merger of Thycotic and Centrify and expanded through acquisitions including Remediant (privilege elevation), Fastpath (identity governance and compliance), and StrongDM (secure access and session brokering). 

It provides vendor privileged access through capabilities like Secure Remote Access and session brokering, allowing administrators and vendors to connect to systems without directly exposing credentials. Access is controlled through policies, MFA, and approvals, with sessions monitored and recorded for audit. 

Delinea focuses on PAM for cloud and hybrid environments while covering a broad range of privileged access use cases. 

Capabilities and Strengths 

• Credential vaulting and secret management  

• Secure remote access for employees and vendors  

• Session brokering, monitoring, and recording  

• Privilege elevation and least privilege controls (Remediant)  

• Identity governance and compliance capabilities (Fastpath)  

• Secure access and infrastructure connectivity (StrongDM)  

• MFA, policy enforcement, and approval workflows  

• Strong support for cloud and hybrid environments  

Considerations and Limitations 

• May require multiple components for full functionality  

• Platform capabilities are built across multiple acquired technologies  

• Less depth in real-time session control and analytics compared to some platforms  

• Limited AI-driven analysis and automated response capabilities 

5. One Identity 

One Identity delivers privileged access management as part of a broader identity security and governance platform. It combines PAM with identity lifecycle management, making it appealing for organizations focused on compliance and governance. It provides session management tools that allow administrators and vendors to connect securely while maintaining auditability and control. 

Capabilities and Strengths 

• Privileged session management with monitoring and recording  

• Credential vaulting with rotation and governance controls  

• Integration with identity governance and administration (IGA)  

• Strong compliance reporting and audit capabilities  

• Support for hybrid environments  

• Role-based access control and policy enforcement  

Considerations and Limitations 

• Complex architecture requiring multiple integrated components  

• Longer deployment timelines  

• Less focus specifically on vendor privileged access use cases  

• Limited real time session analytics and response capabilities 

6. Imprivata 

Imprivata is a well established provider of identity and access management solutions, with a strong focus on healthcare and regulated industries. Imprivata Vendor Privileged Access Management (formerly SecureLink Enterprise Access) is a purpose-built solution providing simple and secure third-party access management. It enables organizations to securely manage third-party access to critical systems while maintaining compliance and operational control.  

Imprivata emphasizes secure, identity-driven access with strong authentication, session control, and audit capabilities, making it particularly effective in environments where compliance and user accountability are critical. 

Capabilities and Strengths 

• Strong vendor identity verification and authentication controls 

• Secure remote access with session monitoring and recording 

• Credential management with reduced exposure to vendors 

• Policy-based access controls with approvals and audit trails 

• Designed for highly regulated environments (especially healthcare) 

• Integration with broader identity and access management workflows 

Considerations and Limitations 

• More focused on specific industries such as healthcare and compliance-heavy sectors 

• May require integration with other components for full PAM functionality 

• Less emphasis on advanced AI-driven session analytics compared to newer platforms 

• Can involve more structured deployment and configuration 

7. ManageEngine 

ManageEngine offers PAM capabilities as part of a broader IT operations and management suite. It is often selected by organizations already using ManageEngine tools. It offers session recording, credential vaulting and integration with IT workflows. 

Capabilities and Strengths 

• Credential vaulting and automated password rotation  

• Session recording, monitoring, and auditing  

• Integration with IT service management and operations tools  

• Cost-effective solution for mid-market organizations  

• Broad IT ecosystem integration  

Considerations and Limitations 

• Less advanced session control and real time enforcement  

• Limited scalability for large enterprise deployments  

• More operationally focused than security-first  

• Limited AI analytics and anomaly detection capabilities  

Choosing a PAM Solution for Third Party Access 

Vendor access is no longer just an operational necessity. It is a security decision. The line between exposure and control is defined by how vendor access is managed. Traditional VPNs and remote access tools simply extend your network. They offer little control over what happens once a vendor is connected. 

Vendor Privileged Access Management shifts that model. Access is brokered, credentials are never exposed, permissions are temporary, and activity is continuously monitored. 

Platforms like 12Port are built with this approach at the core, enabling secure vendor access without expanding risk. 

When evaluating solutions, ask one question. Are you granting access or are you controlling it? 

Read our guide: Questions to Ask Before Investing in a PAM Solution  

The post Top Vendor Privileged Access Management Solutions appeared first on 12Port.

*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from 12Port authored by 12port. Read the original post at: https://www.12port.com/blog/top-vendor-privileged-access-management-solutions/