JumpServer

Showcasing my work in information technology and cybersecurity fields.

Securing internal resources was a top priority—especially when it came to limiting exposure of critical infrastructure like Windows systems, domain controllers, and Linux servers. The solution needed to enforce strict access control, session auditing, and credential management while staying open-source and adaptable to existing systems. Jumpserver was selected as the cornerstone for building a Privileged Access Management (PAM) environment that could scale securely and integrate seamlessly with Active Directory.

Jumpserver stood out for its balance of usability and power. As an open-source PAM platform, it offered just what was needed: web-based access control, multi-protocol session handling (RDP, SSH, etc.), audit logging, and credential vaulting—all in one system. Its modular architecture made it easy to deploy and customize, and its focus on security-first design made it a natural fit for the environment.

The deployment included setting up Jumpserver as a central access gateway—a hardened jumpbox that acted as a broker between administrators and internal resources. Access to Windows workstations, Windows Server environments, and Ubuntu servers was routed through Jumpserver, which handled authentication, authorization, and full session recording. This setup ensured that no direct access was possible to internal IPs or management consoles without first passing through the PAM layer.

One of the key integration goals was to align Jumpserver with the organization’s Active Directory structure. LDAP/AD integration was configured to allow users and groups from AD to be mapped directly into Jumpserver’s role-based access control model. This allowed IT teams to enforce permissions based on existing organizational units and AD security groups, dramatically simplifying user lifecycle management and enforcing least-privilege access by default.

To further enhance security posture, two-factor authentication (2FA) was implemented at the Jumpserver login stage, along with full session recording and playback. Whether users were connecting to RDP sessions or shell access via SSH, every action was logged and timestamped. Session recordings could be reviewed directly from the Jumpserver dashboard, enabling real-time auditing and post-incident investigation without invasive agent installations.

The result was a tightly controlled environment where privileged access to sensitive systems was gatekept, audited, and revocable. Administrative credentials were stored securely in the Jumpserver vault, rotated regularly, and never directly exposed to end-users. This reduced the risk of lateral movement, credential sprawl, and unauthorized access—all while giving admins a clean, web-based interface to manage sessions from anywhere.

By implementing Jumpserver as the PAM core, secure access was no longer a patchwork of VPNs, scattered credentials, or unmanaged SSH keys. It became a centralized, auditable, and policy-driven experience—exactly what a modern infrastructure demands in a world of escalating cyber threats.