freefiles

CyberArk PAM-DEF Exam Dumps & Practice Test Questions

Question No 1:

In a default installation of CyberArk’s Privileged Access Security (PAS) solution, especially when using the Password Vault Web Access (PVWA) interface, 

Which user group must an account belong to in order to access the "Reports" page within PVWA?

A. PVWAMonitor
B. ReportUsers
C. PVWAReports
D. Operators

Correct Answer: B. ReportUsers

Explanation:

CyberArk's Privileged Access Security (PAS) solution includes the Password Vault Web Access (PVWA), which is the primary web interface used to interact with CyberArk’s privileged access management services. The PVWA interface provides access to critical features such as password management, session recording, privileged account requests, and system auditing via the "Reports" page.

In a typical CyberArk installation, users are assigned to specific groups based on role-based access control (RBAC), which defines the permissions and functionality available to them within the PVWA. These groups are designed to limit access to features based on the user’s responsibilities within the organization.

To access the “Reports” page within PVWA, users must be part of the ReportUsers group. This group is specifically configured to grant permission to view and interact with audit reports, compliance dashboards, and other reporting features. These reports are crucial for monitoring privileged activity, detecting security anomalies, and ensuring compliance with internal and external regulations.

The other groups listed in the options have different roles:

  • PVWAMonitor (Option A) is typically used for monitoring purposes, which may provide limited viewing permissions, but not access to full report functionalities.

  • PVWAReports (Option C) is not a standard or default user group in CyberArk.

  • Operators (Option D) generally have administrative privileges for system operations but do not automatically have access to reporting unless explicitly granted.

In summary, for users to access the "Reports" page within the PVWA interface in a default installation, they must be part of the ReportUsers group, which grants the necessary permissions for reporting features.

Question No 2:

Your organization has implemented a security policy requiring all privileged account passwords to be changed every 90 days to meet compliance standards and minimize the risk of unauthorized access. You are managing privileged accounts using CyberArk’s Privileged Access Security (PAS) solution.

Where in CyberArk should you configure the password rotation policy to enforce a 90-day rotation for all relevant accounts?

A. Master Policy
B. Safe Templates
C. PVWAConfig.xml
D. Platform Configuration

Correct Answer: D. Platform Configuration

Explanation:

In CyberArk’s Privileged Access Security (PAS) solution, password management policies, including password rotation frequency, are defined within the Platform Configuration section. The Platform Configuration allows administrators to create specific password management rules tailored to different system types such as Windows servers, UNIX machines, databases, and network devices.

To implement the security policy that mandates password rotation every 90 days, administrators would access the Platform Configuration section via the Password Vault Web Access (PVWA) interface. Here, they can specify password aging settings, including the frequency of password changes (in this case, every 90 days) for each platform. Once configured, CyberArk will automatically rotate passwords for accounts associated with that platform every 90 days, ensuring compliance with the organization’s password rotation policy.

Let’s explore why the other options are not applicable:

  • Master Policy (Option A) defines overarching, global rules for CyberArk configurations, such as password complexity and vault security settings. However, it does not define platform-specific password rotation schedules.

  • Safe Templates (Option B) are used for creating new safes but do not dictate password rotation schedules.

  • PVWAConfig.xml (Option C) is a configuration file that contains settings related to the PVWA web interface, such as UI behavior. It is not responsible for defining password rotation policies.

By configuring the Platform Configuration settings, organizations can ensure that password rotation policies are enforced consistently across all relevant systems and accounts, meeting both security standards and compliance requirements.

Question No 3:

While monitoring the health status of CyberArk components like the PVWA (Password Vault Web Access), CPM (Central Policy Manager), and PSM (Privileged Session Manager) using the System Health Dashboard, you notice that some components show as "Disconnected," even though they were working correctly before. 

According to CyberArk best practices, what are the two most common causes for components appearing as disconnected in the System Health Dashboard?

A. Network instabilities or outages
B. Vault license expiration
C. Credential desynchronization (de-sync)
D. Browser compatibility issues
E. Installed location file corruption

Correct Answers:
A. Network instabilities or outages
C. Credential desynchronization (de-sync)

Explanation:

CyberArk’s System Health Dashboard is a crucial tool for monitoring the operational status of various components, such as the PVWA, CPM, and PSM. If a component is marked as "Disconnected" in the dashboard, it typically indicates that the dashboard is unable to establish or maintain communication with that component, even though the component might still be functional locally.

The most common causes for this “disconnected” status are:

  1. Network Instabilities or Outages (A):
    CyberArk components rely on continuous network communication to interact with each other and the vault. Network disruptions, such as temporary outages, high latency, or issues with firewalls or routing, can prevent the components from reporting their status correctly. Even if the component is functioning locally, the lack of network connectivity can cause it to appear disconnected in the dashboard.

  2. Credential Desynchronization (C):
    Each CyberArk component uses specific credentials to authenticate with the vault or other services. If these credentials become out of sync—such as after a password change or a configuration update without corresponding changes to the credentials—the affected component may fail to authenticate, resulting in a “disconnected” status. Credential desynchronization can lead to intermittent communication failures, even though the component itself may still be operational.

The other options are less likely to cause a "disconnected" status:

  • Vault License Expiration (B) may affect overall functionality but is unlikely to cause individual components to appear disconnected unless the license expiration leads to broader system failures.

  • Browser Compatibility Issues (D) are client-side problems related to the PVWA web interface but do not affect the system's internal component connectivity or status reporting.

  • Installed Location File Corruption (E) is a rare issue and not a typical cause for components being marked as disconnected in the health dashboard.

By addressing network reliability and ensuring credential synchronization, administrators can reduce the occurrence of false "disconnected" alerts and maintain a clear and accurate view of system health.

Question No 4:

In CyberArk, which two areas allow you to link reconcile and/or logon accounts with a managed account? (Select two correct options.)

A. Account Settings
B. Platform Settings
C. Master Policy
D. Safe Settings
E. Service Account Settings

Correct Answer:
A. Account Settings
B. Platform Settings

Explanation:

CyberArk’s Privileged Access Security (PAS) solution is essential for managing privileged accounts, providing secure storage, and automating password management tasks. To ensure effective password reconciliation and logon processes, CyberArk allows administrators to link additional accounts, known as Reconcile and Logon accounts, to the target managed account.

The two primary areas where reconcile and logon accounts can be configured are:

  • Account Settings:
    Each managed account within the CyberArk Password Vault has an associated Account Settings area. Here, administrators can link specific reconcile or logon accounts to a particular managed account. This is especially useful when a specific account requires customized reconcile or logon configurations that differ from default settings. This allows for granular control of how passwords are managed and ensures that all processes remain compliant with organizational policies.

  • Platform Settings:
    CyberArk platforms are used to define general policies and technical behaviors that apply to all accounts of a certain type. In the Platform Settings, administrators can set default reconcile and logon accounts for any account utilizing that platform. This configuration method ensures consistency across accounts and makes the process more scalable across large environments with many accounts.

Other options like Master Policy and Safe Settings are not used to directly link accounts, though they serve broader security and access management roles. Service Account Settings is also not a recognized term within CyberArk’s usual terminology for linking accounts.

Linking reconcile and logon accounts appropriately ensures seamless and automated password management while maintaining strict security controls across privileged accounts, thus improving overall operational efficiency and compliance.

Question No 5:

When generating a "Privileged Accounts Inventory" report in the PVWA Reports page for a specific Safe, what permissions are required on that Safe to ensure complete account inventory data is displayed?

A. List Accounts, View Safe Members
B. Manage Safe Owners
C. List Accounts, Access Safe without confirmation
D. Manage Safe, View Audit

Correct Answer: C. List Accounts, Access Safe without confirmation

Detailed Explanation:

In CyberArk’s Privileged Vault Web Access (PVWA), generating the "Privileged Accounts Inventory" report allows administrators to retrieve detailed information about the privileged accounts stored within a selected Safe. However, to generate an accurate and complete report, specific permissions must be granted on the Safe to ensure that the system can access the required account metadata.

The essential permissions required are:

  • List Accounts:
    This permission enables users to view the list of accounts that exist within the Safe. Without this permission, the system will not be able to retrieve or display the accounts that are required for the report.

  • Access Safe without confirmation:
    This permission ensures that users can access the Safe’s contents without needing additional approval or confirmation from another user or workflow. It streamlines the process and ensures that account data can be fetched for reporting without delay, which is crucial for automation and smooth operation.

The other listed options are not directly related to the generation of the report:

  • A. List Accounts, View Safe Members: This permission allows visibility into the accounts and the users who have access to the Safe, but it doesn't ensure that account details can be retrieved for reporting purposes.

  • B. Manage Safe Owners: This permission grants administrative control over Safe ownership and does not affect the ability to generate the report.

  • D. Manage Safe, View Audit: These permissions provide control over Safe management and audit capabilities but do not enable direct access to the account data required for the inventory report.

Having the correct permissions ensures that reports are accurate, supporting compliance efforts by providing a comprehensive view of privileged accounts across the organization.

Question No 6:

Which of the following dependent accounts are supported by the Central Policy Manager (CPM) out-of-the-box for automatic password management? (Select three correct options.)

A. Solaris Configuration File
B. Windows Services
C. Windows Scheduled Tasks
D. Windows DCOM Applications
E. Windows Registry
F. Key Tab File

Correct Answer:
B. Windows Services
C. Windows Scheduled Tasks
D. Windows DCOM Applications

Explanation:

The Central Policy Manager (CPM) in CyberArk is responsible for automating the password management of privileged accounts. It supports a wide range of dependent accounts, which are typically linked to system or application configurations and are essential for the smooth operation of IT infrastructures. By automating the password management for these accounts, CPM helps enhance security by ensuring that passwords are rotated regularly and securely.

The three dependent accounts supported by the CPM out-of-the-box for automatic password management are:

  • Windows Services:
    Windows Services are essential background tasks in Windows environments, often requiring privileged access to execute. The CPM can manage the passwords for these services, ensuring that passwords are automatically rotated according to organizational security policies.

  • Windows Scheduled Tasks:
    These tasks are scripts or applications scheduled to run at specific intervals in a Windows environment. As these tasks often require privileged access, CPM can manage their credentials, ensuring that the passwords associated with these tasks are securely handled and rotated as needed.

  • Windows DCOM Applications:
    Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) is a Microsoft technology that enables communication between software components over a network. DCOM applications often run with specific credentials, and CPM supports these by automating password management for secure and seamless access.

Options such as A. Solaris Configuration File, E. Windows Registry, and F. Key Tab File are not supported for out-of-the-box password management by CPM. Although these can be secured and managed in other ways, they are not part of the standard configuration for automated password management in CyberArk.

By automating password management for dependent accounts, CPM helps reduce human error, improves security compliance, and enhances the overall security posture of the organization.

Question No 7:

You recently conducted a password compliance audit in your organization's Active Directory environment and discovered the following issues:

  • Twenty domain accounts in the Domain Admins group are not enforcing one-time password access.

  • CyberArk's Privileged Session Management (PSM) is not recording sessions connecting to domain controllers.

What actions should be taken to address these findings and ensure compliance?

A. Modify the Master Policy and create two policy exceptions: enable "Enforce one-time password access" and enable "Record and save session activity."
B. Modify the safe properties and create two policy exceptions: enable "Enforce one-time password access" and enable "Record and save session activity."
C. Modify CPM Settings and create two policy exceptions: enable "Enforce one-time password access" and enable "Record and save session activity."
D. Contact the Windows Administrators and ask them to implement two policy exceptions at the Active Directory level: enable "Enforce one-time password access" and enable "Record and save session activity."

Correct Answer:
B. Modify the safe properties and create two policy exceptions: enable "Enforce one-time password access" and enable "Record and save session activity."

Explanation:

To address the findings from the password compliance audit and ensure adherence to best practices in privileged access management, it is essential to implement security controls within CyberArk. The identified issues—lack of enforcement for one-time password access and failure to record session activity—must be addressed through the appropriate configuration settings within CyberArk’s management framework.

  1. Enforcing One-Time Password Access:
    The audit highlighted that 20 domain accounts in the Domain Admins group are not enforcing one-time password access. One-time passwords (OTPs) are vital for securing privileged accounts. Even if credentials are compromised, OTPs ensure that each access session is unique, providing an additional layer of security. The enforcement of OTP access is done by configuring CyberArk’s safe properties. Safe properties control how sensitive credentials are handled, including the enforcement of OTPs.

  2. Recording and Saving Session Activity:
    The audit also found that sessions connecting to domain controllers were not being recorded by CyberArk’s Privileged Session Management (PSM). Recording sessions is a critical security measure because it creates an audit trail for actions performed by privileged users. This enables organizations to monitor and review administrator activities, which helps in identifying potential misuse or security breaches. By configuring the safe properties in CyberArk, you can ensure that all sessions, including those accessing domain controllers, are recorded.

The other options (A, C, D) are not suitable for directly addressing the specific configurations required for these domain accounts and session recording. Safe properties are the correct location for configuring these security features, which is why Option B is the correct choice.

Question No 8:

After integrating the Privileged Threat Analytics (PTA) system with a supported Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solution, which of the following detection capabilities becomes available?

A. Unmanaged privileged account
B. Privileged access to the Vault on irregular days
C. Risky Service Principal Name (SPN)
D. Exposed credentials

Correct Answer: B. Privileged access to the Vault on irregular days

Explanation:

Privileged Threat Analytics (PTA) is a tool designed to detect anomalous and potentially harmful activities involving privileged accounts. When integrated with a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system, PTA enhances the SIEM’s ability to detect high-risk activities related to privileged access, particularly during abnormal times or behaviors. Let’s break down the relevant detection capabilities:

  • Privileged Access to the Vault on Irregular Days:
    One of PTA’s key capabilities is detecting privileged access to sensitive resources (e.g., the Vault) during unusual times, such as weekends or off-hours. This detection is crucial because access to critical assets outside of normal business hours can be a sign of suspicious behavior, such as insider threats or compromised accounts. This type of access is often unexpected, making it a red flag for security teams.

  • Other Detection Capabilities:

    • Unmanaged Privileged Accounts (Option A): While this is an important security consideration, PTA does not specifically focus on detecting unmanaged accounts. It’s part of broader privileged access management practices.

    • Risky Service Principal Name (SPN) (Option C): This refers to issues with service accounts and potential vulnerabilities, but it is not the primary detection feature of PTA when integrated with SIEM.

    • Exposed Credentials (Option D): Exposed credentials can be a significant risk, but PTA is not specifically designed to detect this type of issue, which is often managed through other security measures.

The integration of PTA with a SIEM solution provides real-time insights into privileged account activity, particularly abnormal access patterns, making Option B the correct answer.

Question No 9:

CyberArk’s REST API is widely used by organizations to manage privileged access securely through automated scripts. If changes are made to the API, which of the following changes is most likely to cause existing scripts to break or fail?

A. Adding optional parameters in the request
B. Adding additional REST methods
C. Removing parameters
D. Returning additional values in the response

Correct Answer: C. Removing parameters

Explanation:

The CyberArk REST API is an essential tool for automating tasks related to privileged access security. Organizations often rely on automated scripts that interact with the API to perform actions such as managing credentials or retrieving security information. However, changes to the API could disrupt the functionality of existing scripts, particularly if they are built with specific parameters and methods in mind.

  • Removing Parameters (Option C):
    When parameters that a script depends on are removed from the API, the script will likely fail. Automated scripts rely on fixed inputs and outputs to function correctly. If a required parameter is removed, the script may not be able to gather the necessary data or perform actions as intended, resulting in errors or failures.

  • Adding Optional Parameters (Option A):
    Optional parameters do not typically break existing scripts. If a new optional parameter is added, the script can simply ignore it, as it does not affect the core functionality.

  • Adding Additional REST Methods (Option B):
    Adding new methods does not interfere with existing scripts that are using the previous methods. New methods introduce additional functionality but do not impact the existing functionality that scripts depend on.

  • Returning Additional Values (Option D):
    If the API returns additional values, scripts that do not require these values will simply ignore them. The extra data does not affect the script’s existing functionality.

In conclusion, removing parameters is the change most likely to break compatibility with existing scripts, as it removes crucial elements that the script relies on for its operations.

Question No 10:

You are configuring CyberArk Privileged Access Management (PAM) to manage administrative access for several applications and systems in your organization. You need to ensure that sensitive credentials are stored securely and that only authorized personnel can access them. 

Which of the following should you implement to achieve this goal?

A) Configure a centralized credential repository with automatic credential rotation.
B) Store credentials in plain text in local files for ease of access.
C) Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) only for users accessing non-critical systems.
D) Allow unrestricted access to privileged accounts for emergency situations without tracking or logging activity.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

In the context of CyberArk Privileged Access Management (PAM), securing privileged credentials and controlling access to them is paramount. Let’s break down the options to understand why A is the correct answer:

  • A) Configure a centralized credential repository with automatic credential rotation:
    This is the correct approach when configuring CyberArk PAM to manage sensitive privileged credentials. CyberArk provides a centralized vault for storing credentials securely. The vault automatically rotates passwords for privileged accounts, reducing the risk of password reuse, password sharing, and the overall exposure of credentials. Automatic rotation ensures that passwords are regularly changed, minimizing the window of opportunity for unauthorized access. This setup adheres to security best practices, such as the principle of least privilege and the use of dynamic, secure credentials that are harder to compromise. The centralized repository also tracks who accessed the credentials and when, offering a comprehensive audit trail for compliance purposes.

  • B) Store credentials in plain text in local files for ease of access:
    Storing credentials in plain text in local files is highly insecure and violates best practices for handling sensitive data. Plain text files can be easily accessed or compromised, leading to potential data breaches and unauthorized access to systems. CyberArk PAM is designed specifically to encrypt and securely store credentials in a centralized vault, not in an easily accessible format. This makes B an incorrect and insecure option.

  • C) Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) only for users accessing non-critical systems:
    While multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an essential layer of security, limiting MFA to only non-critical systems does not provide adequate protection for privileged accounts or critical systems. Privileged access management requires MFA for all high-risk, privileged accounts to add an additional layer of security before granting access. By requiring MFA for all privileged accounts, you reduce the risk of unauthorized access, even if login credentials are compromised. Therefore, C is not an optimal choice.

  • D) Allow unrestricted access to privileged accounts for emergency situations without tracking or logging activity:
    Allowing unrestricted access to privileged accounts without tracking or logging is a highly risky practice that goes against security principles and compliance standards. In CyberArk PAM, access to privileged accounts should always be controlled and logged, even during emergency situations. Emergency access should be granted through controlled workflows and audit logging to ensure accountability and traceability. This makes D an unacceptable approach to privileged access management.

In conclusion, A) Configure a centralized credential repository with automatic credential rotation is the correct answer because it follows the core principles of CyberArk PAM by securing privileged credentials, enabling regular password changes, and ensuring comprehensive tracking and auditing, which are essential for protecting sensitive systems and meeting compliance requirements.