Privileged Access Management is often positioned as one of the most important controls in cybersecurity—and for good reason. When done right, PAM can reduce risk, protect critical systems, and help organizations regain control over who has access to what. But let’s be honest: for many teams, PAM can also feel like a nightmare. It can introduce friction, slow down operations, frustrate admins, and create the perception that security is getting in the way of getting work done.

So, which is it?

In this session, we’ll take a practical look at both sides of the PAM conversation. Why do some organizations see it as a security game changer, while others struggle with adoption, complexity, and resistance from the business? We’ll explore where PAM delivers real value, where it commonly goes off the rails, and what separates successful programs from painful ones. We’ll also examine real-world breaches where privileged access was a critical factor—and how the right PAM controls could have prevented the compromise or significantly reduced the blast radius.

If you’ve ever wondered whether PAM is truly the hero of privileged access security—or just another expensive layer of operational pain—this session is for you.