LinuxInsider: Safeguarding the Keys to the Linux Kingdom

"One of the most common security challenges Linux and Unix IT administrators face is how to effectively manage the root or super-user account. In an age of regulatory compliance and data privacy laws--and as more and more organizations elect to run mission-critical financial, CRM (customer relationship management), SCM (supply chain management) and other applications in heterogeneous Unix and Linux environments--controlling and auditing privileged account access is more crucial than ever.

"Without proper controls, anyone with access to the root account--the virtual 'keys to the kingdom'--is given complete super-user privileges without justification based on their job classification, specific duties or role within the IT department..."

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