When Enterprise Privilege Suites Are Too Much (Part 2)
Series: Windows Privilege Elevation & Least Privilege
In Part 1 we framed the admin-rights problem. Here we look at enterprise suites such as BeyondTrust (Avecto), Ivanti Application Control, CyberArk EPM, and Quest/One Identity Privilege Manager.
What these tools do well
- Granular policies: match by hash, publisher, path, command-line (CyberArk Application Control policy).
- Workflows: approvals, time-boxed admin sessions, MFA hooks (CyberArk EPM overview).
- Dashboards: central reporting, SIEM integrations (varies by vendor).
- Cross-platform: many cover Windows/macOS/Linux.
Where they can feel heavy
- Project overhead: policy design, infra/agent rollout, admin training.
- Scope mismatch: if your need is “elevate 3 legacy apps,” a full EPM may be over-engineering.
- Licensing & onboarding: cost and time can be significant.
A constructive rubric
| Criterion | Enterprise Suites | Elevator |
|---|---|---|
| Primary goal | Broad least-privilege program (policies, workflows, dashboards) | Auto-elevate specific Windows apps for standard users |
| Time to value | Weeks to months | Hours to days |
| Admin learning curve | Moderate to high | Low |
| User experience | Requests/approvals, custom prompts | No new UX—existing shortcuts launch elevated |
| Best fit | Complex, multi-OS, audited workflows | Windows-focused orgs with a short list of “needs admin” apps |
Helpful vendor resources
- Ivanti Application Control
- CyberArk Endpoint Privilege Manager
- One Identity (Quest) Safeguard Privilege Manager for Windows
Bottom line
Enterprise suites are excellent when you need the whole program: workflows, cross-OS coverage, and dense reporting. If your immediate blocker is “this app won’t run without admin,” a focused tool like Elevator can deliver the result with far less overhead.
Next up: Part 3 looks at lighter SaaS/self-service tools and common DIY workarounds—and how they compare to a Windows-first approach.
