StrongDM
APIStrongDM is a zero-trust access management platform that provides secure, audited access to databases, servers, Kubernet
www.strongdm.comLast updated: April 2026
StrongDM is a zero-trust access management platform that provides secure, audited access to databases, servers, Kubernetes, and web applications.
About
StrongDM is a zero-trust access management platform that provides secure, precisely controlled, and fully audited access to infrastructure including databases, Linux and Windows servers, Kubernetes clusters, and web applications. By acting as a programmable proxy between users and infrastructure, StrongDM enforces access policies and creates a complete audit trail of every access session without requiring agents on the target systems.
The proxy architecture is fundamental to how StrongDM works. Rather than connecting users directly to backend infrastructure, StrongDM routes all access through its secure proxy layer. Users authenticate to StrongDM once using their identity provider (SSO, MFA), and StrongDM mediates access to backend resources based on the access policies in place. The target systems never need to be exposed directly to user networks or the internet.
Just-in-time (JIT) access is a key capability that reduces standing access risk. Users and service accounts have no persistent access to production systems by default. When access is needed, a request is submitted to StrongDM and can be automatically approved (for routine access based on pre-defined policies) or routed through a human approval workflow for sensitive or elevated access. Access is granted for a specific duration and revoked automatically when the time expires.
Database access through StrongDM supports all major databases including PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, MongoDB, Redis, Cassandra, and cloud databases. Users connect using their standard database clients (pgAdmin, DBeaver, DataGrip, etc.) through StrongDM's proxy, with StrongDM injecting the appropriate credentials and recording all executed queries. No database credentials are stored on user devices.
SSH server access works similarly, with users connecting through StrongDM's proxy to Linux servers without needing SSH keys distributed to individual machines. All commands executed during SSH sessions are recorded for the audit log.
Kubernetes access through StrongDM provides kubectl access with the same audit logging and access policy controls as other resource types, recording all API server interactions and providing temporary, scoped Kubernetes credentials.
The complete audit log in StrongDM captures every access session, query, command, and API call, providing the compliance and security monitoring record that enterprise environments require.
Positioning
StrongDM is a zero-trust infrastructure access platform that provides a single control plane for managing connections to databases, servers, Kubernetes clusters, and cloud environments. Instead of distributing credentials and managing network-level access, StrongDM proxies every connection through a centralized gateway that enforces policies, logs every query, and eliminates standing privileges.
The platform replaces the patchwork of VPNs, bastion hosts, and shared credentials that most organizations use to manage infrastructure access. Every session is authenticated, authorized, and recorded — giving security teams complete visibility into who accessed what, when, and exactly what they did, down to individual SQL queries and shell commands.
What You Get
- Unified Access Gateway
Single proxy for databases, servers, Kubernetes, and cloud consoles that eliminates direct credential distribution to end users - Just-in-Time Access
Temporary, approval-based access grants that automatically expire, eliminating standing privileges to sensitive infrastructure - Session Recording
Complete audit logs of every query, command, and kubectl action with replay capability for compliance and incident investigation - Role-Based Policies
Granular access policies based on user roles, resource tags, and time windows with integration to identity providers - Native Client Support
Users connect through familiar tools — pgAdmin, MySQL Workbench, kubectl, SSH clients — with StrongDM handling authentication transparently
Core Areas
Database Access Management
Secure, audited access to PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Redis, and 30+ database types without sharing connection credentials
Server & SSH Access
Certificate-based SSH access to Linux and Windows servers with session recording and no need for key distribution
Kubernetes Access
Controlled kubectl access with namespace-level policies, audit logging of every API call, and just-in-time cluster permissions
Compliance & Audit
Comprehensive audit trails satisfying SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and SOX requirements with exportable evidence packages
Why It Matters
Infrastructure credentials are the most dangerous secrets in any organization — a leaked database password or SSH key can expose millions of records. StrongDM eliminates this risk by removing credentials from end users entirely, proxying every connection through a controlled gateway where policies are enforced and every action is logged.
For compliance-driven organizations, the difference between "we think our database access is controlled" and "here is a complete recording of every database session" is the difference between audit findings and clean reports.
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