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Symantec Privileged Access Manager pros and cons

Vendor: Broadcom
3.9 out of 5
1,460 followers
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Pros & Cons summary

Symantec Privileged Access Manager offers A2A integration, robust API, scalable architecture, and strong security through two-factor authentication with PIV and CAC. However, it faces stability issues post-patch, complex setup, and poor technical support. Enhancements are needed in service account management, automation, and management console simplicity. The platform secures DevOps pipelines, supports concurrent sessions, and provides identity governance, but requires better response times and features post-Broadcom acquisition. Maintenance costs are lowered by its API.

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Prominent pros & cons

PROS

A2A integration feature allows custom scripts to run outside Symantec Privileged Access Manager to retrieve passwords and perform additional tasks.
The robust API enables low maintenance costs and automates security across different environments, benefiting the DevOps pipeline.
Two-factor authentication supports PIV and CAC, enhancing access security for privileged users.
Symantec Privileged Access Manager offers comprehensive governance improvement, scalability, and strong resilience, accommodating large enterprise needs.
Stable and scalable architecture supports concurrent sessions, multiple devices, and complex password policies, reducing viral attack risks.

CONS

Stability issues occur after every patch upgrade, and improvement is needed in this area.
Service account management functionality should be extended to application pools, SQL database, PowerShell scripts, and service account discovery.
Recent releases require enhancements in webpage management, particularly in navigation.
Technical support quality has decreased since Broadcom's acquisition of Symantec.
The response time for support could be faster, and more secure cloud-based features should be added.
 

Symantec Privileged Access Manager Pros review quotes

Muhammad Baber - PeerSpot reviewer
May 6, 2022
It's easy to use and easy to configure.
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it_user778803 - PeerSpot reviewer
Nov 26, 2017
It will provide us with more security.
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it_user715158 - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 7, 2017
Transparent login for users of privileged IDs (Linux, Windows). This prevents sharing of the password because it is never seen.
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Buyer's Guide
Symantec Privileged Access Manager
March 2025
Free Report: Symantec Privileged Access Manager Reviews and More
Learn what your peers think about Symantec Privileged Access Manager. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2025.
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it_user708474 - PeerSpot reviewer
Jul 24, 2017
Password Management and Session Recording. The simplicity and ease that it is to be up and running out-of-the-box is very much appreciated.
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it_user572919 - PeerSpot reviewer
Jan 7, 2018
The key benefits are we improve our governance. We ensure we can build more trust in the way we run and operate our environment, and most of all is the accountability.
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it_user705711 - PeerSpot reviewer
Jul 19, 2017
You can do A2A integration. You can have your own script, which can then run outside of PA to retrieve the password and perform other tasks.
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it_user779106 - PeerSpot reviewer
Nov 26, 2017
Whoever built it from the ground up, they understand how an organization is laid out.
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UA
Oct 9, 2024
Symantec PAM is easier to deploy compared to its competitors, such as BeyondTrust.
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it_user712038 - PeerSpot reviewer
Jul 31, 2017
The two factor authentication, and the single most important capability was it supported PIV and CAC as one of the two factors. That was pretty huge for us.
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it_user715158 - PeerSpot reviewer
Jan 7, 2018
Stability is solid as a rock.
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Show 10 more reviews (out of 21)
 

Symantec Privileged Access Manager Cons review quotes

Muhammad Baber - PeerSpot reviewer
May 6, 2022
The response time for support could be faster. Some features should be added: cloud-based, VPN-less, more secure, and it should be adjusted in a hybrid environment.
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it_user778803 - PeerSpot reviewer
Nov 26, 2017
They need to have zero tier and active-active setup ​with zero minimum downtime, which they are working on it. ​
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it_user715158 - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 7, 2017
It's difficult to locate the reports, there are limits on what reports can be run from the GUI, and the report formats are lacking.
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Buyer's Guide
Symantec Privileged Access Manager
March 2025
Free Report: Symantec Privileged Access Manager Reviews and More
Learn what your peers think about Symantec Privileged Access Manager. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2025.
DOWNLOAD NOW
848,253 professionals have used our research since 2012.
it_user708474 - PeerSpot reviewer
Jul 24, 2017
The support for other remote assistance tools would be excellent. Free included tools in Windows (Remote Assist) and Microsoft SCCM Configuration Manager (ConMgr Remote Control) allow companies to reduce the amount of RDP connections and expand the usage of the tools are frequently used by companies to provide technical support for remote assistance.
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it_user572919 - PeerSpot reviewer
Jan 7, 2018
Bring more technology into the portfolio and being able to collapse those products into a much more integrated way.
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it_user705711 - PeerSpot reviewer
Jul 19, 2017
What I hope happens with the new product CA PAM is to keep all the useful features that exist in PA, but what I’ve noticed with many new products is the UI gets polished but systems lags stability and performance or it adds additional complexity instead of simplifying the user experience.
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it_user779106 - PeerSpot reviewer
Nov 26, 2017
Instead of just giving passwords to the user based on job function, from auditing perspective, turn that cycle around. That would really help from an auditing standpoint.
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UA
Oct 9, 2024
Broadcom has neglected product development since acquiring Symantec, and nothing major has been added to PAM.
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it_user712038 - PeerSpot reviewer
Jul 31, 2017
It'd be great if you just stuck in your PIV card and Windows popped up, asked you for your password. You typed it in, then it remembered your credentials.
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it_user715158 - PeerSpot reviewer
Jan 7, 2018
They need to do a little bit more on the mainframe side.​
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Show 10 more reviews (out of 21)

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