Secrets Management - 1Password and CyberArk Comparison
1Password vs. CyberArk: Comparison & Recommendation Guide
Both 1Password and CyberArk are officially supported at UW-Madison by the Office of Cybersecurity to help safeguard university data and personal accounts. However, they are designed for different audiences and purposes. Here's a breakdown to help you choose the right one.
Overview of Each Tool
| 1Password | CyberArk (Privileged Access Manager) | |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | A user-friendly password manager for storing personal and university-related passwords, passkeys, secure notes, and other credentials. | An enterprise-level privileged access management (PAM) solution, designed to secure and manage privileged accounts and credentials for high-risk systems and critical data. |
| Audience | General users, staff, faculty, students managing personal or university credentials. | IT administrators, researchers, and staff managing privileged accounts or sensitive/high-risk data and systems. |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | 1Password | CyberArk |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Personal and team password management | Securing privileged access to sensitive IT infrastructure |
| Access Method | Browser extensions, desktop and mobile apps (macOS, Windows, iOS, Android) | Web-based access; some tools require special client software |
| Password Vault | Yes, individual and shared vaults (for teams and departments) | Yes, primarily for privileged credentials (admin accounts, service accounts) |
| Privileged Access Management (PAM) | No | Yes – designed specifically for PAM |
| Session Recording & Monitoring | No | Yes – session recording, monitoring, and auditing of privileged access |
| Single Sign-On (SSO) | Yes, integrates with UW-Madison’s NetID login | Yes, integrates with UW-Madison’s NetID login and more advanced integrations |
| Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) | Yes, Duo MFA | Yes, Duo MFA and additional advanced authentication options |
| Password Sharing | Easy sharing within vaults and teams | Controlled access to privileged accounts; check-out/check-in processes |
| Compliance & Audit Logs | Basic audit logging (who accessed what) | Detailed compliance reports, audit logs, session recordings (meets NIST, HIPAA, etc.) |
| Integration | Integrates with browsers, mobile devices, and third-party apps (e.g., Slack, GitHub) | Integrates with enterprise IT systems (Windows servers, Linux, databases, cloud services) |
| Ease of Use | Intuitive, user-friendly interface | More complex; requires training for effective use |
| Support | Supported by UW-Madison IT with guides and workshops | Supported by UW-Madison Cybersecurity team with specialized training |
| Cost | Free to eligible UW-Madison students, faculty, and staff | Free to eligible UW-Madison users who require privileged access management |
Who Should Use Each Tool?
Choose 1Password if you are:
A faculty or staff member who needs to store and manage personal and university-related credentials securely.
A student managing multiple accounts (academic, personal, or research) and looking for easy password generation and management.
Part of a small team or department that needs shared vaults for passwords, secure notes, or documents.
Looking for an easy-to-use solution with browser and mobile support.
Managing general account credentials without elevated or privileged system access.
Choose CyberArk if you are:
An IT administratormanaging privileged accounts for servers, databases, and critical systems.
A researcher or staff member working with high-risk data (e.g., HIPAA, FERPA, or restricted research data).
Responsible for critical infrastructure and need session monitoring and auditing for compliance.
Needing privileged credential rotation, controlled access, and session recording for security audits.
Part of a large enterprise system requiring strict control and auditability.
UW-Madison Support & Resources
| 1Password | CyberArk |
|---|---|
| Getting Started: 1Password - Getting Started with 1Password at UW-Madison | Getting Started: CyberArk Privilege Cloud - Getting Started Guide |
| Support: UW-Madison DoIT Help Desk and knowledge base | Support: Office of Cybersecurity and specialized IT teams |
| Training: Self-guided tutorials, recorded video sessions offered | Training: Required training and onboarding with Cybersecurity team |
Recommendations
-
For Most Faculty, Staff, and Students
1Password is the best option. It’s user-friendly, easy to deploy, and perfect for managing day-to-day credentials securely. -
For IT Administrators & High-Risk Data Handlers
CyberArk is the right choice. It provides robust controls and auditing necessary for managing privileged access and critical systems.
Need Help Deciding?
If you’re unsure, contact the UW-Madison Office of Cybersecurity for a consultation. They can help you evaluate which tool fits your role, responsibilities, and data sensitivity needs.
- Contact: secretsmanagement@office365.wisc.edu
- Help Desk: https://it.wisc.edu/help/