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  • “Privileged Access: The Crown Jewel Most Exposed”

“Privileged Access: The Crown Jewel Most Exposed”

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Shoppers are adding to cart for the holidays

Over the next year, Roku predicts that 100% of the streaming audience will see ads. For growth marketers in 2026, CTV will remain an important “safe space” as AI creates widespread disruption in the search and social channels. Plus, easier access to self-serve CTV ad buying tools and targeting options will lead to a surge in locally-targeted streaming campaigns.

Read our guide to find out why growth marketers should make sure CTV is part of their 2026 media mix.

Admin Accounts Are Targeted First — Always

Attackers don’t waste time on regular users. They aim straight for domain admins, cloud superusers, and root accounts. One credential can unlock an entire environment.

Privilege Creep Expands Without Review

Users accumulate rights over time — from promotions, projects, or shortcuts. Rarely does anyone audit or revoke old privileges. Access grows, exposure follows.

Shared Admin Credentials Still Exist

Despite policy, many teams still use shared root, admin, or “god” accounts. These credentials circulate informally. When compromised, there's no way to trace the source.

Break-Glass Accounts Are Rarely Secured or Rotated

Emergency accounts exist for last-resort access, but often lack MFA or logging. They become a perfect entry point if left exposed. Their presence is rarely verified.

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ChatGPT is revolutionizing how we work, but most people barely scratch the surface. Subscribe to Mindstream for free and unlock 5 essential resources including templates, workflows, and expert strategies for 2025. Whether you're writing emails, analyzing data, or streamlining tasks, this bundle shows you exactly how to save hours every week.

Privileged Access is Often Granted Permanently

Temporary access for support or deployment becomes indefinite. Accounts meant to expire don’t. Long-term access to sensitive systems quietly persists.

PAM Solutions Are Deployed — But Not Fully Used

Privileged Access Management tools exist, but bypasses remain common. Teams use direct logins, SSH keys, or unmanaged sessions. Technology alone doesn’t enforce least privilege.

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