The Vendor Risk Problem
Modern enterprises depend on an extended network of contractors, service providers, and third-party partners. From database management to system administration to specialized security services, outside expertise keeps critical operations running.
The challenge is that every vendor who connects to your systems introduces risk. Traditional methods of granting access, such as shared credentials or VPN tunnels, leave organizations exposed. These approaches often provide vendors with far more access than they need, creating opportunities for credential leaks, lateral movement, and compliance violations.
Why Zero Trust Matters
Cybersecurity today demands precision. Regulators and auditors expect organizations to follow zero trust principles, meaning no user (internal or external) is trusted by default. Access must be granted only to the specific systems required, for only as long as necessary, and with full visibility into who did what.
Legacy solutions such as VPNs cannot provide that level of control. They were designed for connectivity, not for fine-grained security or auditing. As a result, they leave gaps that attackers are eager to exploit.
How VPAM Fills the Gap
Vendor Privileged Access Management (VPAM) brings zero trust principles to third-party access. Instead of broad tunnels or shared passwords, VPAM provides:
- A controlled entry point for all vendors
- Browser-based access that requires no client software
- Session monitoring and recording for compliance and oversight
- Least-privilege access to only the resources approved by IT
- No shared or static credentials that could be lost or stolen
Industry analysts agree. As Small World Big Data recently noted, solutions like Leostream VPAM “address all the complexity and cybersecurity challenges involved in granting third-parties remote privileged access”.
Leostream’s Approach
Leostream’s VPAM solution was designed to make zero trust vendor access practical. It offers:
- Simple SaaS deployment without added hardware
- Cross-platform browser-based sessions for Windows, Linux, and macOS
- Integrated session auditing and recording
- A secure, VPN-less architecture that removes credential risk
If you already use Leostream to connect employees to digital workspaces, extending that trust to contractors and vendors is seamless.
The Bottom Line
Every vendor connection is a potential vulnerability. Continuing to rely on VPNs and shared credentials exposes organizations to avoidable risk. With VPAM, enterprises can finally close the vendor access gap—meeting compliance expectations, strengthening security, and enabling contractors to work without friction.
Learn more about Leostream VPAM and download the full white paper here.