Just-in-time access: Strengthening security in a zero-trust world

Security and identity teams are under pressure like never before.

Cloud environments, remote work, and automation have made managing identities and access a full-time balancing act. You’re trying to move fast, stay secure, and keep users productive—all while attackers are finding new ways to exploit privilege.

Enter just-in-time (JIT) access, a concept that has been around for a while but is receiving renewed interest due to its precision in delivering time-based, privileged access necessary for a human or machine to perform its job, then revoking it once it's no longer needed.

What is just-in-time access?

Let's start with the basics.

Just-in-time access means granting individuals or systems the exact level of access they require—only when needed—and for only as long as necessary.

Once the job is done, access disappears automatically. No more long-lived admin credentials. No more standing privileges quietly waiting to be exploited. Just short, controlled access windows that minimize risk.

Think of it like borrowing the master key to the building only when you have maintenance work to do, and returning it as soon as you're done.

Why JIT access matters now

JIT access isn't just another security feature. It's a cornerstone of modern identity security frameworks like zero trust networking (ZTN) and zero standing privileges (ZSP).

• Zero trust networking (ZTN) is all about "never trust, always verify.” Every access request must be authenticated and authorized, no matter who or where it comes from.
• Zero standing privileges (ZSP) takes this further by removing always-on admin rights completely. With JIT, those privileges exist only when needed, then vanish.

JIT access isn't just a nice-to-have; it's essential.

Together, these frameworks create a security model built around continuous verification, a feature that JIT access supports perfectly. The message is clear: JIT access isn't just a nice-to-have; it's essential. It's quickly becoming table stakes for modern cybersecurity.

The big benefits of just-in-time access

What makes JIT such a game-changer? Let's examine three of the key benefits organizations experience after adopting JIT:

1. It shrinks your attack surface

By granting elevated privileges only when necessary, you significantly reduce the number of potential attack paths in your environment. If attackers can't find standing admin credentials, they can't exploit them. It’s as simple as that. Every minute that elevated access doesn’t exist is one less opportunity for a breach.

2. It boosts overall security

Even if an account gets compromised, JIT limits potential damage. Since access is time-bound and tightly controlled, cyber criminals can't move laterally or access sensitive systems at will. Plus, JIT can be layered with multi-factor authentication (MFA), contextual checks, and device validation to make every access request smarter and safer.

3. It simplifies compliance and auditing

Auditors love JIT access because it creates a clear, traceable record of who accessed what, when, and why. Need to show compliance with NIST, ISO, or SOC standards? JIT gives you a built-in audit trail with detailed logs of every privilege elevation. No more guesswork or manual spreadsheets.

It's security and compliance working hand in hand.

How just-in-time access works for people

When we discuss JIT access, most people think of human users: administrators, developers, support engineers, or contractors who require elevated privileges for specific tasks. Here's how JIT makes their lives easier while keeping your systems secure.

On-demand access

Instead of having standing admin rights, users can request access when they actually need it through a simple workflow or automated approval process. Once their task is done, privileges are automatically revoked. That means less waiting for IT approvals and fewer lingering privileges for security to clean up later.

Role-based access control

JIT works seamlessly with role-based access control (RBAC). Users begin with base-level permissions corresponding to their job role. When elevated rights are needed, JIT temporarily adds those privileges, then removes them once the session ends. This keeps access aligned with job functions and reduces the chance of privilege creep.

Temporary privileges for critical tasks

Need to deploy a patch, troubleshoot a database, or give a vendor temporary access? JIT makes it easy. You can grant elevated privileges for a set period—say, two hours—and they automatically expire. No manual cleanup. No forgotten accounts. Just cleaner, safer access control.

How just-in-time access works for machines

Humans aren't the only identities you need to protect. Machines, such as APIs, service accounts, bots, and AI models, also require access to critical systems. JIT access plays a growing role in this context.

• AI models & agents: AI and large language models (LLM) often need data access for specific operations. JIT ensures they get access only when processing and lose it immediately afterward.
• APIs & service accounts: Instead of static credentials, JIT provides short-lived, ephemeral credentials that expire automatically.
• DevOps integration: In CI/CD pipelines, JIT can grant access during builds or deployments, then revoke it instantly once complete.

The result? Secure automation that doesn't slow innovation.

How to implement just-in-time access

Rolling out JIT access doesn't have to be overwhelming. The key is to start with a clear strategy and the right tools.

1. Define policies first

Determine which roles, systems, and actions require elevated privileges. Then establish policies for:

• How JIT access requests are made and approved
• What time limits apply
• Which contextual factors (like risk or location) affect approval

These policies become the foundation of your JIT program.

2. Automate everything you can

Manual access provisioning creates bottlenecks and errors. Instead, use automation to:

• Approve and grant JIT access based on policies
• Automatically revoke privileges at the end of a session
• Log every action for audit purposes

Automation ensures consistency, speed, and scalability, especially across large environments.

3. Monitor and report

Visibility is essential. Monitor JIT access activity in real-time to identify anomalies or misuse. Comprehensive logging makes it easy to track who accessed what, when, and for how long. With the right reporting tools, you can quickly demonstrate compliance and identify issues before they escalate into incidents.

Looking ahead to the future of JIT access

As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, just-in-time access is evolving accordingly. Future JIT solutions will use AI-driven risk scoring to automatically adjust access decisions based on behavior, location, or device health.

We're moving toward a world where access is intelligent, dynamic, and entirely contextual—granting just the right privilege, at just the right time, for just the right reason.

Ready to take the next step?

If your organization is serious about reducing privilege risk and strengthening your zero-trust strategy, just-in-time access should be at the top of your list.

At Delinea, we make it simple. Our JIT access capabilities let you grant elevated privileges only when needed, automate revocation, and maintain full visibility, all from a centralized, easy-to-manage platform.

To learn more, explore our JIT access solutions or contact our team for a personalized demo, and be sure to join our webinar by signing up here: Why Just-in-Time is Essential for AI and Identity Security. We'll help you start small, scale fast, and achieve a future with zero standing privileges and maximum control.