Learn where the main PSM executables live in CyberArk.

PSM Core Files: Why the Components Folder Matters in CyberArk

If you’re mapping out how CyberArk’s Privileged Session Manager (PSM) keeps privileged access under control, you’ll quickly run into a simple, important fact: the main executable files live in a single, dedicated place. That place is the PSM Components Folder. Everything else — recordings, logs, and configuration — lives in their own folders, each with a specific job. Seeing how these pieces fit together makes the whole system easier to understand and safer to operate.

Let me explain the big picture first. PSM is built to manage and monitor privileged sessions. Think of it as a security-conscious gatekeeper: it starts sessions, tracks what happens during those sessions, and helps ensure sensitive credentials aren’t misused. To do all that reliably, PSM needs a solid core — the actual programs that run, plus the libraries that support them. That core lives in the PSM Components Folder. It’s where the engine is housed, where the services start, and where the most fundamental operations are executed.

A quick tour of the folders you’ll encounter

• PSM Components Folder: This is the heart. It contains the executable binaries that drive session management and monitoring, plus essential libraries that the runtime relies on. If you’re looking to understand how PSM actually runs, this is the first stop.

• PSM Recordings Folder: As the name suggests, this is where session recordings are stored. If you need to review what happened during a privileged session, this is your archive.

• PSM Logs Folder: This is the diary of PSM’s activities. It holds log entries that help you trace events, troubleshoot issues, and verify that operations proceeded as expected.

• PSM Configuration Folder: Here you’ll find the configuration files that tailor PSM’s behavior. It’s how you set up rules, timeouts, access controls, and other preferences.

Why the Components Folder is the hub worth knowing about

• Core functionality: The executables inside the Components Folder are the actual “how” behind PSM’s features. They start, run, and coordinate with other parts of the system to enable secure sessions. Without these binaries, there’s nothing to manage or monitor.

• Supporting architecture: The folder houses not just executables, but a collection of libraries and support files that keep the architecture stable. It’s the backbone that makes all the pieces work together without buzzing with errors.

• Trust and stability: For admins, knowing that the core components live in a dedicated, clearly defined spot helps reduce the chances of accidental changes, misconfigurations, or misplacements during upgrades or maintenance. When you know where the engine lives, you’re less likely to tinker with the wrong files.

• Security posture: By separating the core executables from recordings, logs, and configs, you reduce risk. Access controls can be more precisely targeted, and risk assessment becomes clearer — you know exactly where to verify the most sensitive parts of the system.

Where the other folders fit into the story

• Recordings: These are useful for post-session review, compliance checks, and forensic inquiries. They tell the story of what happened during a privileged session, which can be priceless when you’re trying to understand anomalous activity.

• Logs: Logs give you a running narrative of PSM’s life. They capture start/stop events, errors, and warnings. When something doesn’t go as planned, logs are often the quickest way to diagnose what happened.

• Configuration: The knobs and levers live here. A well-tuned configuration helps PSM behave predictably under different loads and policies. It’s the place to reflect your organization’s access rules and security posture in a concrete way.

A practical mindset for working with PSM folders

• Start with the core: If you’re troubleshooting a startup issue or trying to understand a failure mode, your first instinct should be to check the PSM Components Folder. Are the binaries present? Are the right versions in place? Do the required libraries load?

• Then verify the history trail: If the system seems off-after, you might look at the Logs Folder to see what events led up to the issue. A mismatch between expected behavior and recorded events is a red flag worth closer inspection.

• Then confirm the policy layer: The Configuration Folder holds the rules that govern behavior. Sometimes a glitch isn’t in the engine but in the policy setup. A quick check here can save you hours of digging.

• Use recordings for context: If something occurred during a session that you can’t explain from logs alone, a quick glance at the Recordings Folder might illuminate what users did, what commands were run, and how the session evolved.

A small, real-world analogy

Imagine you’re supervising a busy kitchen. The main cooking happens on the stove—the core armor of the restaurant. That stove represents the Components Folder: it’s where the essential action happens. The recipe cards and device manuals are like the Configuration Folder and the Libraries — they guide how you operate. The tickets printed by the POS at the end of service? Those are the Logs. The recordings, meanwhile, are like a video of the rush hour — useful if you need to review how the team handled a particular rush or a special order. Keeping each piece in its own place isn’t just tidy; it makes it easier to troubleshoot, optimize, and maintain the system under pressure.

A few practical tips to keep in mind

• Treat the Components Folder as mission-critical. Any change here deserves careful review and a clear rollback plan. That’s not about paranoia; it’s about predictable behavior when it matters most.

• Document your structure. A simple map that shows which folder contains what helps new teammates get up to speed quickly. It reduces the guesswork and speeds up incident response.

• Remember the separation of concerns. Each folder has a job. When you respect that division, you reduce the chance of cascading issues across the system.

A tiny note on language and learning

If you’re absorbing concepts about PSM for the broader Sentry landscape, you’ll notice a rhythm: core engines, supporting components, and the logs of what happened. Keeping that rhythm straight makes it easier to explain to others why a particular folder matters. And yes, it’s okay to picture these things in plain terms. Security isn’t about jargon for jargon’s sake; it’s about clarity you can act on.

A quick recap to lock it in

• The main executable files for Privileged Session Manager live in the PSM Components Folder.

• This folder houses the core binaries and essential libraries that keep PSM running.

• Other folders — Recordings, Logs, Configuration — each have a distinct, important role in the lifecycle of privileged sessions.

• When you troubleshoot or audit, start with the Components Folder, then turn to logs and recordings, and finally review configuration settings to get the full picture.

Final thought: getting comfortable with the layout

Understanding where things live isn’t just a matter of navigation. It’s about building confidence in how PSM operates in real-world environments. When you can point to the exact place where the engine sits, you’re better prepared to reason about performance, troubleshoot with purpose, and explain your choices to colleagues.

If you’re mapping CyberArk concepts in your own learning journey, keep this mental model handy: core executables in the Components Folder, support and policy in their respective homes, and a clear trail in logs and recordings. That simple mental map can make the complexity of privileged session management feel a lot more approachable — which, in turn, makes you a more capable defender of sensitive information.