Discover the PSMP configuration file location in CyberArk, at /etc/opt/CARKPSMP/conf/basic_PSMPserver.conf.

Title: Where the PSMP config file actually lives—and why that location matters

Let’s be honest: in complex security setups, a single file location can feel like the difference between “this works” and “this works smoothly.” When you’re dealing with CyberArk’s Privileged Session Management Proxy (PSMP), that tiny bit of filesystem geography matters more than you’d expect. The PSMP config file is the compass that guides how sessions are monitored, recorded, and governed. If you’re aiming for reliable, auditable privileged access, knowing where that file sits is a good first step.

What exactly is the PSMP config file?

In plain terms, the PSMP config file is where you configure the behavior of the Privileged Session Management Proxy. It holds the settings that tell PSMP how to monitor sessions, what to record, how to enforce policies, and how to report activity. Think of it as the control panel for the proxy that sits between privileged accounts and sensitive systems.

The file isn’t a random one-off. It carries a well-known, consistent name across CyberArk deployments: basic_PSMPserver.conf. This naming helps administrators quickly spot the right file when they’re configuring, troubleshooting, or tightening security policies. The reason this matters is simple: if you change the wrong parameter or miss a critical setting, you could unintentionally weaken monitoring, disrupt session recording, or affect integration with other CyberArk components.

Where you’ll typically find it

For most Unix-like environments, configuration files tend to live in the standard system-wide configuration area. The PSMP’s configuration follows that convention, nesting inside a CyberArk-specific directory structure under the familiar /etc location. In practice, that means the PSMP config file sits inside a folder that CyberArk uses to organize its PSMP-related settings, with basic_PSMPserver.conf as the file you edit to tailor behavior.

A quick mental map:

• Location: under the usual /etc area used for service and application configs

• Context: within a CyberArk PSMP directory structure

• File name: basic_PSMPserver.conf

Putting it all together, the full path is precise in a deployment guide, but the key takeaway is that it’s in the system’s configuration space, inside a CyberArk-specific PSMP directory, and the file itself is named basic_PSMPserver.conf. Knowing this makes it much easier to locate, verify, and tweak the settings you rely on daily.

Why that location matters in practice

Permissions and security are a big part of the reason location matters. Configuration files for security-sensitive services almost always live in protected directories because:

• They control how sessions are captured and who can run or view them.

• They often tie into authentication, authorization, and auditing mechanisms.

• They are pointed to by service startup scripts and monitoring tools, so misplacing them can break things quietly or cause hard-to-diagnose failures.

If you work with PSMP, you’ll likely touch this file when you:

• Enable or modify session recording policies for privileged accounts

• Adjust tamper-detection or integrity checks on PSMP activity

• Configure integration with SIEMs or other monitoring tools

• Fine-tune TLS/SSL settings, certificates, or client authentication for PSMP

A few practical steps you can take around the file

• Locate it quickly: If you’re not sure where it lives on a given system, you can search for the file by name. For example, commands like sudo find / -name basic_PSMPserver.conf 2>/dev/null or sudo grep -R --include="basic_PSMPserver.conf" -n "/etc" can reveal its home.

• Check permissions and ownership: Since this file governs security behavior, it’s common to see it owned by root with restricted permissions. A quick check helps you avoid accidental exposure or edits by unauthorized users.

• Review recent changes: If a security incident or performance issue pops up, a review of recent edits to this file can point you to misconfigurations or policy drift.

• Back up before changes: Before tweaking settings, make a quick backup. That way you can roll back if a tweak doesn’t deliver the expected result.

What kinds of settings live inside basic_PSMPserver.conf?

While the exact parameters vary by version and environment, here are the general kinds of settings you’ll find in a PSMP config file:

• Session monitoring prompts and rules: Which sessions get captured, what details are logged, and how long recordings are retained.

• Policy enforcement: Rules for approving or denying actions, time-based access windows, and fallback behaviors when a policy isn’t met.

• Integration hooks: How PSMP talks to identity providers, password vaults, or other CyberArk components, plus what audit data gets forwarded to centralized logging or SIEMs.

• Network and TLS settings: Certificates, cipher suites, and TLS versions that govern secure communication with endpoints and clients.

• Performance knobs: Timeouts, buffering, and resource-related thresholds that affect how PSMP handles bursts of activity.

• Logging and troubleshooting: Where logs go, what gets logged, and how verbose the output should be for diagnostics.

A few tips that blend best practices with common sense

• Keep it readable: Use clear, consistent naming in the file. When teams collaborate, readable comments help everyone understand why a setting exists.

• Document your changes: A short note in the file’s comments can save someone from debugging a mystery later.

• Align with security policy: If your organization has a security baseline or policy framework, map the PSMP settings to those controls so audits are smoother.

• Test changes in a controlled way: Where possible, test edits in a staging or non-production environment before touching production PSMP services.

• Plan for recovery: Always include a rollback plan. A quick restore of the previous basic_PSMPserver.conf can save you hours if something goes sideways.

Common pitfalls you can sidestep

• Pointing the wrong service at the file: If multiple PSMPs exist in a deployment, ensure you’re editing the configuration file that corresponds to the PSMP instance you’re managing.

• Overly broad permissions: Grant only what’s needed. If the file is writable by non-admins, you’re inviting accidental or malicious changes.

• Missing dependencies: Some settings rely on other components being present or running. A change without the supporting services ready can lead to confusing failures.

• Skipping validation: After edits, validate configuration syntax and restart the PSMP service as required. A typo can stop sessions from being captured at all.

Connecting this to the bigger CyberArk Sentry ecosystem

PSMP isn’t a lone ranger. It plays a crucial role in the broader architecture that keeps privileged access under a watchful eye. The configuration file is a linchpin because it translates security policy into executable behavior. If you’re deploying or maintaining a CyberArk Sentry environment, you’ll see the same pattern: a few well-placed configuration files that govern how components talk to each other, how sessions are tracked, and how data flows to the audit trail or SIEM.

Let me explain with a quick analogy. Think of the PSMP config file like the instruction manual for a smart lock on a high-safety door. The lock is present, the door is armed, but the policy inside that manual decides who can turn the handle, when, and under what circumstances the door should record a moment of entry. If the manual is out of date or misread, you might end up with a door that’s too permissive or too strict. The PSMP config file is the living document that keeps your door aligned with your security ambitions.

Wrapping up: why this matters for you

If you’re charged with administering CyberArk PSMP in any organization, knowing where the PSMP configuration file lives is more than a trivia fact. It’s the first step in reliable deployment, effective troubleshooting, and solid policy management. It’s where you turn policy into practice, where you ensure that every privileged session is handled with the right balance of visibility and safety, and where you keep your audit trails clean and credible.

So, next time you’re documenting a deployment, auditing a server, or just sanity-checking a change, keep the basic_PSMPserver.conf file in your mental map. It’s small, it’s focused, and it’s doing a lot of heavy lifting behind the scenes.

If you’d like, I can help you map out a quick reference guide for PSMP configuration checks—one that fits neatly into your team’s standard operating procedures. After all, good configuration discipline doesn’t just keep systems safe; it keeps trust intact across your entire security stack.