1. Initial Setup and Installation

• Hardware/Software Requirements: Ensure your infrastructure meets the system requirements for FortiPAM.
• Install FortiPAM: You can install FortiPAM as either a physical appliance, virtual machine, or cloud-based solution. Installation procedures will vary depending on the deployment method.
  • For hardware appliances, follow the installation guide for setting up the appliance.
  • For virtual machines or cloud, you’ll deploy FortiPAM as a virtual appliance (e.g., using VMware or Hyper-V).

2. Accessing the FortiPAM Interface

• After installation, access the FortiPAM web interface using the device’s IP address or hostname via a web browser.
• Log in with the admin credentials you created during installation.

3. Configuring FortiPAM

• Create User Accounts: Set up administrative users, with specific roles such as superadmins, auditors, etc.
• Define Policies: Set up policies that control who has access to specific privileged accounts, which can include setting time-based access or specifying access restrictions based on locations.
  • Role-based access control (RBAC): Define roles that will determine who can access privileged accounts and what actions they can perform.

4. Password Vaulting

• Add Privileged Accounts: Add the credentials of privileged accounts (e.g., admin accounts for servers, network devices) to the FortiPAM vault.
• Vault Policies: Configure vault policies to specify who can retrieve passwords from the vault and how long the passwords will be valid.
• Automatic Password Rotation: Set FortiPAM to automatically rotate passwords for privileged accounts at specified intervals.

5. Session Management

• Create and Monitor Sessions: FortiPAM can record privileged sessions (e.g., SSH, RDP) for auditing. Enable session recording to capture detailed logs of who accessed systems and what actions they performed.
• Session Access Control: Specify who can access certain sessions and under what conditions (e.g., must use MFA or access only during certain hours).
• Session Termination: Admins can terminate sessions if suspicious activity is detected.

6. Audit and Logging

• Audit Logs: Use the audit logs to monitor user activity related to privileged accounts. Logs will include access times, commands run, and any changes made to critical systems.
• Generate Reports: FortiPAM enables you to generate compliance reports that detail the use of privileged accounts, who accessed them, and the actions taken.

7. Integrating with Other Fortinet Solutions

• FortiSIEM Integration: If your organization uses FortiSIEM for security event management, integrate FortiPAM to centralize monitoring and response to security events.
• FortiAuthenticator Integration: Use FortiAuthenticator for enhanced multi-factor authentication (MFA) during privileged access sessions.

8. Ongoing Management and Monitoring

• Regularly monitor the FortiPAM dashboard for any suspicious activities or breaches.
• Review the session logs, ensure password rotations are happening, and verify that policies are being followed.
• Update FortiPAM configurations as needed to ensure security standards are met.

9. Updating and Maintaining FortiPAM

• Software Updates: Ensure FortiPAM is up-to-date with the latest patches and security updates. Follow Fortinet’s security advisories to stay informed about any vulnerabilities or issues.
• Backup: Regularly back up your FortiPAM configuration and vault contents to ensure recovery in case of failure.