Zero Trust–Driven Security Orchestration: An API-Centric Framework for Integrating IAM, PAM, and SIEM in Hybrid Cloud Environments

Abstract

The disintegration of the traditional network perimeter, precipitated by the accelerated adoption of hybrid cloud architectures and the proliferation of remote work, has necessitated a fundamental shift in cybersecurity strategy. This research presents an API-centric framework for security orchestration, grounded in the principles of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-207. The proposed framework integrates Identity and Access Management (IAM), Privileged Access Management (PAM), and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) to establish a continuous verification ecosystem. By leveraging Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to interconnect industry-leading platforms such as CyberArk and ServiceNow, the framework enables automated Just-in-Time (JIT) access and Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) across Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure environments. Central to this architecture is an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enhanced risk-scoring engine that utilizes behavioral analytics to dynamically adjust access policies in real-time. The report examines the technical mechanisms of this integration, the operational impact on Mean Time to Respond (MTTR), and the resulting improvements in regulatory compliance with SOX, HIPAA, and SOC 2 standards.