Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure (AZ-800) Practice

Using the RunAsVirtualAccount setting during a Just Enough Administration (JEA) session ensures that a special account with local administrative credentials is employed for the session. This setting creates a virtual account that has appropriate permissions without requiring a service account and its credentials to be managed directly.

When configured, RunAsVirtualAccount provides a way for JEA sessions to execute commands with elevated privileges securely, enabling administrators to perform necessary administrative tasks while minimizing security risks. The virtual account operates under the context of the machine, allowing access to local resources while maintaining a clear boundary from user actions.

This enhances security by not exposing physical credentials and by allowing the virtual account to be used only within the context of the session, reducing the attack surface. By isolating administrative tasks in this fashion, organizations can prevent unauthorized access and reduce the potential for credential theft.

The other settings do not specifically pertain to the use of a local administrative credential. SessionType determines the context of the JEA session, RunAsVirtualAccountGroup specifies the group under which the virtual account operates, and CredentialType controls how credentials are handled during the session. However, none of these settings encapsulate the creation and use of a virtual account with administrative rights as directly and effectively as RunAsVirtualAccount does