The IT stronghold: an essential lever for cybersecurity and IT governance
Cyberattacks targeting privileged accounts are on the rise, as they allow cybercriminals to gain direct access to critical systems. To protect themselves, more and more organizations are deploying a Computer bastion (also called Bastion Host or Jump Server).
A true digital fortress, it is a secure gateway that controls and records all connections to sensitive environments (servers, applications, databases, network infrastructures, etc.)
In this article, discover:
- the definition and role of the computer bastion;
- its operation and its main functionalities;
- its advantages in terms of security, traceability and compliance (NIS2, ISO 27001, DORA);
- and best practices for choosing and deploying a bastion solution.
What is a computer bastion?
A computer stronghold is a secure gateway that allows To control, Filter and trace All the privileged access (special access that extends beyond that of a standard user).
The bastion acts as a fortress and is a mandatory crossing point between administrators, subcontractors, service providers or technicians and sensitive environments (servers, applications, databases, databases, network equipment, etc.).
It carries out three essential missions:
- control and filter accesses to limit the exposure of sensitive resources;
- protect identifiers through password management and rotation;
- record and trace all actions to strengthen supervision and meet regulatory obligations.
In concrete terms, when a user wants to access a sensitive server, he does not connect directly: he goes through the bastion, which applies security rules, hides passwords and records the entire session.
Why is the IT stronghold unavoidable today?
Digital threats are numerous and varied. The vast majority of data breaches involve theexploitation of compromised identifiers, And the privileged accounts are among the most targeted.
These accounts in fact allow access to the most sensitive systems, making their compromise particularly interesting for cybercriminals and all the more dangerous for businesses.
The numbers speak for themselves:
- According to the IBM report” X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2024 ”, 80% of cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructures involve the exploitation of privileged accounts.
- According to the report” Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report 2025 ”, more than 70% of breaches occur through the use of valid identifiers, which confirms that privileged access remains one of the most common attack levers.
At the same time, we also note a regulatory tightening in terms of cybersecurity. La European directive NIS2, but also standards such as ISO 27001 or DORA, require companies to manage access strictly and trackably.
It is in this context that the IT stronghold is essential. More than a technical building block, it represents a strategic response to the challenges of security, governance, conformity and resiliency. To monitor the evolution of these obligations, an approach of Regulatory watch is essential.
The key functionalities of an IT bastion
One Computer bastion is designed to adapt to the most sophisticated threats through a proactive and multi-layered defense system. Beyond the simple protection of connections, it centralizes and controls all privileged accesses, thus offering unprecedented visibility on what is happening in sensitive environments.
Among the key functionalities found in most solutions such as Bastion server, we can cite:
- Strong authentication integration of robust methods such as MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication), SSO (Single Sign-On), biometrics or even corporate directories (Active Directory, LDAP). This step ensures that only authorized users can pass through the bastion;
- Isolation of connections : the bastion acts as a proxy, preventing any direct access to critical systems (servers, databases, OT infrastructures). This greatly reduces the risks associated with lateral movements by attackers.
- Full session recording : each session is kept in the form of detailed logs, and sometimes even in the form of replayable videos. These recordings allow security teams to precisely analyze the actions taken and to detect possible anomalies.
- Automated management of privileged identifiers and passwords : regular rotation, random generation, temporary access management... the bastion eliminates the need to share sensitive identifiers with service providers or administrators.
- Real-time supervision : the solution continuously monitors suspicious behavior (e.g., unauthorized order, privilege escalation attempt) and can trigger instant alerts, or even block the session in the event of a proven threat.
At the same time, the bastion facilitates the respect of compliance requirements imposed by international regulations and standards (European directive NIS2, ISO 27001, military programming law - LPM, DORA regulation, RGPD). Thanks to the richness of its logs and the traceability of actions, it is a major asset during cybersecurity audits and regulatory controls.
How does a cybersecurity stronghold work?
The Operation of a computer bastion is based on the principle of defense in depth : multiply the layers of protection in order to limit the risks of intrusion as much as possible. Concretely, the bastion acts as a mandatory intermediary between the user and critical systems, by combining several complementary technological components.
1. Authentication and identity control
Before authorizing access, the bastion verifies the identity of the user via a strong authentication (MFA, digital certificates, tokens, LDAP/AD directory integration). This step prevents the fraudulent use of compromised credentials and ensures that only a legitimate user can initiate the connection.
2. Access management and filtering
A user does not connect Never directly to critical systems (servers, applications, network equipment). The bastion plays the role of secure proxy, filtering each connection attempt and applying defined security policies (for example, prohibiting access to certain environments outside business hours).
3. Automated management of identifiers and passwords
With an IT bastion, the identifiers of sensitive systems are never communicated to administrators or service providers. Passwords are stored securely, renewed automatically (regular rotation), and temporary accesses can be created when needed. This management greatly reduces the risks of leaks or bad practices (sharing identifiers, unencrypted storage).
4. Session recording and supervision
Each session passing through the Bastion is monitored and traced. Depending on the solution, it can be recorded as detailed logs or even as replayable videos. These elements provide evidence in the event of an audit or security incident, and make it possible to analyze the actions carried out by privileged users.
5. Real-time detection and reaction
The bastion often integrates advanced detection mechanisms: instant alerts when suspicious behavior is detected (unauthorized order, data exfiltration attempt), or even Automatic break of the session to prevent any compromise.
In summary : the computer bastion ensures both the traceability actions, the protection of sensitive identifiers, and the proactive risk reduction linked to privileged accesses.
What are the advantages of a computer bastion?
In terms of cybersecurity, setting up a bastion offers benefits at various levels:
1. Strengthened access security
The first benefit is the drastic reduction in the risks associated with privileged accounts. By centralizing and filtering all sensitive connections, the bastion prevents unauthorized users from accessing critical systems. Even if an identifier is compromised, the attacker will be limited by the bastion rules and will not be able to move freely in the information system. The result: a significantly reduced potential impact.
2. Simplified regulatory compliance
With the tightening of regulations such as NIS2, the RGPD, ISO 27001 or DORA, businesses must prove that they control and trace access to sensitive environments. Thanks to its detailed logs and automated access management, the bastion not only makes it possible to meet these requirements, but also to easily provide evidence during cybersecurity audits.
3. Full visibility and traceability
Each action carried out via the bastion is recorded and searchable. Detailed logs, or even videos of replayable sessions, offer IT teams a clear vision of the operations carried out by administrators, service providers or subcontractors. This transparency is essential to quickly detect anomalies and conduct post-incident investigations.
4. Better control of subcontracting
In many sectors, companies entrust application maintenance, technical support or the supervision of critical infrastructures to external service providers. With a bastion, they can grant temporary, limited, and monitored access without having to share sensitive passwords or give permanent rights. This reduces the risk of excesses and reinforces trust with partners.
5. Internal threat prevention
Threats don't just come from outside. Whether intentional (fraud, sabotage) or accidental (human error), internal breaches represent a major risk. By imposing a multi-factor authentication and by applying the principle of least privilege, the bastion limits the attack surface and contributes to the prevention of incidents related to internal users.
How to choose your computer stronghold?
There are various types of bastions that offer varying levels of functionality and protection. The choice of the IT bastion will depend on the needs of each company, in terms of security, performance and budget.
A number of criteria should be taken into account, for example:
- La waistline And the network complexity to be protected;
- La nature And the data sensitivity to be secured;
- The type And the frequency of connections to the internal network, etc.
To choose the most suitable IT bastion, it is possible to call on cybersecurity experts who can assess the needs of the company and offer tailor-made solutions.
How do you deploy a cybersecurity stronghold?
The installation of the bastion is an essential step that will determine the effectiveness and resilience of the bastion.
1. Define needs and map privileged accesses to choose the right solution
- Identify all existing privileged accounts;
- Analyze current network flows;
- Identify external service providers who have access to the IS.
2. Determine the location of the bastion
- Select a secure area, protected by a firewall, isolated from the internal and external network.
3. Configure authentication mechanisms and security policies
- Define the filtering rules that will determine the blocked or authorized connections;
- Set the authentication level.
4. Deploy the bastion gradually
- Integrate the bastion with the existing infrastructure to ensure its compatibility with the other elements of the network;
- Start with the most critical environments before extending to other systems and providers.
5. Supporting change
- Train administrators in the use of the bastion;
- Raise awareness among IT and business teams about security issues.
Integrate the IT bastion into a GRC approach with Egerie
One Computer bastion is not only a technical solution: it is part of a more global strategy of governance, risk management and compliance (GRC).
- Governance : it offers centralized visibility and complete supervision of privileged accesses.
- Risk : it significantly reduces the probability and impact of a compromise linked to sensitive accounts.
- Compliance : it facilitates compliance with standards and regulations (NIS2, ISO 27001, DORA, LPM) and simplifies audits.
To go further, a management platform like Egerie complements the role of the computer bastion. It not only makes it possible to secure access, but also to transform cybersecurity into a real one. a lever for governance and operational resilience.
With Egerie, you can:
- Easily map your cyber risks, taking into account critical assets and their level of exposure.
- Simulate different incident scenarios in order to anticipate their operational, financial and regulatory impacts.
- Ensuring ongoing compliance, thanks to dynamic dashboards that are updated in real time.
- Generate a prioritized action plan, based on actual risk exposure.
- Communicate effectively with leaders through clear, understandable and decision-making reports.
Request a demo of the Egerie platform now and discover how to integrate the IT bastion into a GRC approach to manage your cyber risks with confidence and efficiency.
FAQ on the computer bastion
1. What is a computer bastion?
It is a secure gateway that controls and traces privileged accesses to critical systems.
2. What is the difference between a bastion and a VPN?
The VPN only secures the network connection between the user and the information system, but does not offer granular supervision. The bastion, on the other hand, records and controls all actions providing complete visibility and traceability.
3. Is a bastion mandatory to comply with NIS2 or ISO 27001?
While not explicitly mandatory, it is still highly recommended to meet privileged access control requirements.
4. How long does it take to deploy a bastion?
This depends on the size and complexity of the information system: from a few weeks for an SME to several months for a large group.
5. What are the advantages of a bastion?
It reinforces access security, facilitates regulatory compliance, improves the traceability of actions and reduces the risks associated with privileged accounts.
6. What is the difference between computer bastion and PAM?
The bastion is often considered to be a key component of a PAM (Privileged Access Management) strategy. Indeed, the bastion is generally a secure entry point for administrators, while PAM represents a set of privileged access management practices and tools across the organization.
