Cloud-native adoption has significantly transformed the privileged access landscape, necessitating a shift in how organizations secure access to sensitive systems amid an explosion of identities and access methods. Traditional Privileged Access Management (PAM) tools, which rely on static credentials and standing access, are becoming obsolete as they fail to align with the dynamic, API-driven nature of modern infrastructure. The emergence of an API-led PAM model addresses these challenges by provisioning and revoking access through native cloud and infrastructure APIs, thereby enhancing security by eliminating static credentials, improving operational efficiency by automating access workflows, and ensuring compliance with standards such as SOC 2, FedRAMP, and ISO 27001. This approach enables organizations to balance security and productivity by providing just-in-time, least-privileged access that is auditable and short-lived by design, marking a significant shift in identity security practices and offering a practical framework for CISOs to manage these evolving challenges effectively.