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Symantec Privileged Access Manager pros and cons

Vendor: Broadcom
3.9 out of 5

Pros & Cons summary

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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

it_user705711 - PeerSpot reviewer
System Support Analyst at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees
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.
it_user705735 - PeerSpot reviewer
IAM Architect at a tech services company with 5,001-10,000 employees
Jul 19, 2017
The RDP-gateway: For limiting which server an operator can access.
TechLeadea1e - PeerSpot reviewer
Tech Lead at a financial services firm with 5,001-10,000 employees
Jul 21, 2017
For me, it is the robust API which is the most valuable feature. This allows for low maintenance costs and allows applications to automatically connect. This is great to automate security of the DevOps pipeline for shared secrets across environments. Also, being on Linux and a virtual appliance is great.
Learn what your peers think about Symantec Privileged Access Manager. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2026.
881,082 professionals have used our research since 2012.
it_user708474 - PeerSpot reviewer
Pre-Sales Engineer at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
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.
it_user712038 - PeerSpot reviewer
Business Coach & Consultant
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.
it_user715158 - PeerSpot reviewer
Information Security Manager at United Parcel Service
Aug 7, 2017
Transparent login for users of privileged IDs (Linux, Windows). This prevents sharing of the password because it is never seen.
it_user778803 - PeerSpot reviewer
Program Manager at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees
Nov 26, 2017
It will provide us with more security.
it_user779106 - PeerSpot reviewer
Information Security at ITG
Nov 26, 2017
Whoever built it from the ground up, they understand how an organization is laid out.
it_user572919 - PeerSpot reviewer
Architect at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees
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.
it_user715158 - PeerSpot reviewer
Information Security Manager at United Parcel Service
Jan 7, 2018
Stability is solid as a rock.
 

Symantec Privileged Access Manager Cons review quotes

it_user705711 - PeerSpot reviewer
System Support Analyst at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees
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.
it_user705735 - PeerSpot reviewer
IAM Architect at a tech services company with 5,001-10,000 employees
Jul 19, 2017
I’m no fan of Java as an application front-end, as it tends to have issues depending on what browser one’s using.
TechLeadea1e - PeerSpot reviewer
Tech Lead at a financial services firm with 5,001-10,000 employees
Jul 21, 2017
I wish it could create local accounts on desktops.
Learn what your peers think about Symantec Privileged Access Manager. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2026.
881,082 professionals have used our research since 2012.
it_user708474 - PeerSpot reviewer
Pre-Sales Engineer at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
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.
it_user712038 - PeerSpot reviewer
Business Coach & Consultant
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.
it_user715158 - PeerSpot reviewer
Information Security Manager at United Parcel Service
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.
it_user778803 - PeerSpot reviewer
Program Manager at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees
Nov 26, 2017
They need to have zero tier and active-active setup ​with zero minimum downtime, which they are working on it. ​
it_user779106 - PeerSpot reviewer
Information Security at ITG
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.
it_user572919 - PeerSpot reviewer
Architect at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees
Jan 7, 2018
Bring more technology into the portfolio and being able to collapse those products into a much more integrated way.
it_user715158 - PeerSpot reviewer
Information Security Manager at United Parcel Service
Jan 7, 2018
They need to do a little bit more on the mainframe side.​