Glossary Term: Just-in-Time (JIT)

A security approach that provides temporary access to resources only when needed, for only as long as necessary. JIT access eliminates standing privileges by granting elevated permissions on demand, then automatically removing them when the task is complete.

Just-in-Time (JIT) is a security approach that provides users with access or privileges only when needed, for the minimum time required, and then automatically removes them when the task is complete. This principle replaces permanent, always-on permissions with temporary, controlled access that significantly reduces security exposure while maintaining operational efficiency. 

JIT operates on two main fronts: access (connecting to systems) and elevation (raising privilege levels). Both follow the same core principle of minimizing the time window during which elevated permissions exist. 

What is Just-in-Time Access?

Just-in-Time access provides temporary connections to systems, applications, or network resources that users don’t normally have access to. Instead of maintaining permanent VPN tunnels or persistent remote connections, users request specific access for defined time periods through approval workflows. 

When IT staff need to manage remote servers or external contractors require access to internal applications, they submit requests that create encrypted, time-limited connections. These connections automatically terminate when sessions end or time expires, reducing the risk of compromised credentials providing long-term network access. 

Admin By Request’s Secure Remote Access solution implements JIT access through three components: 

  • Unattended Access – IT administrators can remotely connect to endpoints via RDP, SSH, or VNC without requiring a user to be present 
  • Vendor Access – External parties get secure, browser-based access to internal systems through scoped permissions 
  • Remote Support – Live helpdesk sessions for screen sharing and device control between IT staff and end users 

These components create temporary, secure connections without requiring permanent VPN infrastructure or persistent agents on endpoints. 

What is Just-in-Time Elevation?

Just-in-Time elevation provides temporary administrative privileges on systems that users already have access to. Rather than granting permanent local administrator rights, users operate with standard permissions and request elevated privileges only when needed for specific tasks. 

Standing admin privileges create security risks because any malware that successfully executes on the system can potentially leverage those elevated permissions to cause more damage. JIT elevation reduces this risk by ensuring admin rights are only available when actively needed and automatically removed afterward. 

Admin By Request’s EPM solution removes permanent admin rights from users and provides secure, temporary elevation through approval workflows. The system can automatically approve known safe applications while requiring manual approval for unfamiliar software. Users can request either per-application elevation (Run as Admin) or time-limited admin sessions, with all privileged activities logged and audited. 

JIT vs Standing Privileges

Standing privileges create ongoing security exposures that attackers can exploit over extended periods. Users with always-on admin rights, persistent VPN connections, or permanent system access provide continuous attack opportunities. When these accounts are compromised, attackers have unlimited time to explore networks and cause damage. 

JIT security reduces these risks by providing access only during active use periods. This approach shrinks attack windows from potentially months or years down to minutes or hours, limiting the damage potential from compromised accounts. The temporary nature of JIT access also improves compliance by creating detailed audit trails showing exactly when privileges were granted, used, and revoked. 

Zero Trust and Just-in-Time

Zero Trust security operates on the principle that no user or device should be trusted by default, requiring verification for every access request. JIT principles align naturally with Zero Trust by eliminating permanent trust relationships and requiring fresh authentication for each privileged action. 

Traditional security models grant broad, long-lasting permissions based on initial authentication. Zero Trust with JIT instead provides minimal access for specific tasks, verifies each request independently, and automatically removes permissions when tasks complete. 

This combination of Zero Trust verification with JIT access creates a more resilient security posture where each privilege request is evaluated independently and access is automatically revoked when no longer needed. 

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