CPC-SEN CyberArk Sentry - Privilege Cloud Questions and Answers

To retrieve the previous password for an account that had its password changed by the CPM, you should look under the Versions tab within the account's overview page. This tab maintains a history of password changes, including previous passwords, along with other historical data points that allow for tracking changes over time. This feature is critical for auditing and rollback purposes in environments where knowing past credentials is necessary for troubleshooting or compliance.

When installing the first CyberArk Privilege Management (CPM) instance in the Privilege Cloud using the Connector Management Agent, the installation mode should be set to "Active". This configuration sets the CPM to be actively involved in password management and task processing without being in a standby or passive mode. Here are the step-by-step details:

• Download the Connector Management Agent: Obtain the installer from the CyberArk Marketplace or your installation kit.
• Run the Installer: Start the setup and select the CPM component to install.
• Choose Installation Mode: When prompted, select "Active" as the installation mode. This sets up the CPM as the primary node responsible for handling password management operations.

This setup ensures that the CPM is immediately active and capable of handling requests without waiting for manual intervention or failover.

In a PSM Load Balanced Virtual Server Configuration, the default service ports/protocols used are RDP/3389 and HTTPS/443. RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) typically uses port 3389 for remote desktop services, which is essential for PSM functionalities involving remote sessions. HTTPS, which utilizes port 443, is used for the PSM Health Check service to ensure secure and encrypted communication during the monitoring and health verification processes of the PSM services.

The default authentication profile to access CyberArk Identity is typically the Default New Device Login Profile. This profile is used to manage the authentication settings and security measures for devices accessing CyberArk services for the first time. It includes configurations such as authentication methods, security checks, and compliance requirements, ensuring that new devices meet the organization’s security standards before gaining access.

For PSM Web Connectors developed using the CyberArk Plugin Generator Utility (PGU), the supported browser is Google Chrome. This is because the PGU is designed to create plugins that are most compatible with Chrome's web technologies and security frameworks. Chrome is generally recommended by CyberArk for its up-to-date security features and extensive support for web applications. This is further supported by the CyberArk documentation on the Plugin Generator Utility, which specifies browser compatibility and the optimal environment for deploying web connectors.

When installing the PSM and CPM components on the same Privilege Cloud Connector and considering the hardening process, it's important to note that PSM settings override the CPM settings when referring to the same parameter. This hierarchy is crucial in ensuring that the more stringent security settings required by PSM, which typically handles direct interaction with end-user sessions, take precedence over CPM settings. This setup helps maintain robust security practices by applying the most restrictive configuration where conflicts occur.

To properly arrange the steps for failing over to a passive Central Policy Manager (CPM) in CyberArk, the sequence should be as follows:

• Validate that the active CPM's services are stopped and set to manual.Before enabling the passive CPM, ensure that the services on the active CPM are stopped. This prevents any conflicts or data corruption by making sure that only one CPM is active at a time. Setting the services to manual ensures they do not restart automatically, which is crucial during a failover scenario.
• On the passive CPM, confirm details in the Vault.ini configuration file, reset the password to the CPM user, and recreate the credential file.This step involves making sure the passive CPM has the correct configuration to seamlessly take over operations. Adjustments in the Vault.ini file may be necessary to ensure it is pointing to the correct Vault and network settings. Resetting the password and recreating the credential file are critical to secure the login and authentication process for the newly active CPM.
• Enable the CPM services on the passive CPM.Once the passive CPM is correctly configured and ready, enable its services to begin handling the tasks and responsibilities of the primary CPM. This action effectively switches the role from passive to active, enabling the passive CPM to function as the new operational manager.
• Review logs to confirm the passive CPM services are running as expected.Finally, review the system and application logs to confirm that the now-active CPM is operating correctly and that all services have started without errors. This step is vital for verifying that the failover process was successful and that the system is stable.

Following this ordered sequence ensures a smooth transition of roles from the active CPM to the passive CPM, minimizing downtime and potential disruptions in the privileged access management operations.

After the successful scripted installation of the Privileged Session Manager (PSM), one of the post-installation tasks is to disable the screen saver for the PSM local users. This is done to ensure that the PSMConnect and PSMAdminConnect users, which are created during the installation process, do not have a screen saver activated that could interfere with the operation of the PSM.

References:

• CyberArk documentation on PSM post-installation tasks1.
• CyberArk documentation on disabling the screen saver for PSM local users

PSM for SSH supports various authentication methods, specifically focusing on secure and verified access mechanisms. The supported methods include:

• RADIUS (D): Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) is a networking protocol that provides centralized Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting management for users who connect and use a network service. PSM for SSH utilizes RADIUS to authenticate SSH sessions, which adds an additional layer of security by centralizing authentication requests to a RADIUS server.
• Client Authentication Certificate (E): This method uses certificates for authentication, where a client presents a certificate that the server verifies against known trusted certificates. This type of authentication is highly secure as it ensures that both parties involved in the communication are precisely who they claim to be, making it suitable for environments that require stringent security measures.

These methods provide robust security options for SSH sessions managed through CyberArk's PSM, ensuring that only authorized users can access critical systems.

For a Privilege Session Manager (PSM) server, the network requirements primarily focus on its ability to interact with target systems securely and efficiently. The most accurate statement regarding these requirements is:

• It must reach the target system using its native protocols (Option A). This is essential for the PSM to manage sessions effectively, as it needs to communicate using the protocols that the target systems are configured to accept, such as SSH for Linux servers or RDP for Windows servers.

On CyberArk Privilege Cloud, updating users' permissions on safes can be done through the Privilege Cloud Portal and the REST API. The Privilege Cloud Portal provides a user-friendly graphical interface where administrators can manage user permissions directly within the portal's safe management settings. Additionally, the REST API offers a programmable way to automate permission updates across safes, which is especially useful for bulk changes or integrating with other management tools. Both methods provide effective means to manage and customize access controls in a CyberArk environment, allowing for detailed permission settings per user on specific safes.

Before configuring directory mappings in the CyberArk Privilege Cloud Standard Portal for LDAP integration, it is crucial to make sure HTTPS (443/tcp) is reachable over the Secure Tunnel. This setup ensures that the secure communication channel between the CyberArk Privilege Cloud and the LDAP server is operational. Secure Tunnel facilitates the encrypted and safe transmission of data, including LDAP queries and responses, essential for successful integration and ongoing operations.