Blue Team
November 22, 202422 min read
Privileged Access Workstations (PAW) & Tier Model Implementation
Protect your most critical assets with this guide to implementing Privileged Access Workstations, the tier model, and clean source principles for admin security.
A
Asfaleia Team
Security Consultant
100%
Admin Attacks via Workstation
0
Tier-0 Creds on User Devices
3
Security Tiers
Blocked
Lateral Movement
Why PAW Matters
Admins using standard workstations for both email and AD management create direct paths for credential theft. PAWs isolate admin activities.
The Admin Workstation Problem
Malware on a standard workstation can steal admin credentials from memory. Domain compromise starts with one compromised admin device.
Tier Model Architecture
0
Domain Controllers & Identity
Responsibilities
- Domain Controllers
- AD management systems
- PKI infrastructure
- Identity providers
Skills
- PAW required
- No internet
- Physical security
Staffing
Highest security
1
Enterprise Servers
Responsibilities
- Member servers
- Applications
- Databases
- Virtualization
Skills
- Dedicated accounts
- Network segmentation
- Privileged access
Staffing
High security
2
User Workstations
Responsibilities
- End-user devices
- Laptops
- Desktops
- Mobile devices
Skills
- Standard controls
- Internet access
- User credentials
Staffing
Standard security
Clean Source Principle
Trust Hierarchy
- Tier-0 only from PAW
- No Tier-2 touches Tier-0
- Trust flows downward
- No exceptions
PAW Requirements
- TPM 2.0 required
- Credential Guard
- No browsers
- Separate VLAN
Break the Attack Chain
PAW and tier model eliminate credential theft paths that attackers use for lateral movement to domain compromise.
#PAW#Privileged Access#Tier Model#Active Directory#Zero Trust#Admin Security
Secure Privileged Access
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