The significance of IAM in modern SAP S/4HANA environments

In contemporary SAP S/4HANA set-ups, it is essential to have robust cybersecurity measures in place. SAP Identity and Access Management (IAM) plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of organisational data. The SAP Cloud Identity Access Governance (IAG)   tools* address a range of challenges in modern SAP environments by protecting user accounts, sensitive information and digital assets. Using workflows and automated access provisioning, SAP IAM and Access Governance tools strive to make SAP IAM and other access management   processes more efficient.
 

Why is it needed? 

SAP IAG plays a crucial role in managing and controlling user access to a company’s digital resources. With the increasing number of SAP systems and tools, companies face challenges related to fragmented access management processes that often lead to conflicts, breaches, cyberattacks, unauthorised access to sensitive data or even risks related to fraud – both monetary and data-related.

The purpose of utilising SAP IAM and Access Governance tools (IAG) is to mitigate access related risks by centralising access controls and the management of user access. Without proper implementation of SAP IAM and Access Governance, organisations encounter difficulties in maintaining data privacy, regulatory compliance and cybersecurity in modern SAP S/4HANA environments.

Effective SAP IAM and Access Governance offer numerous benefits, such as reducing the need for manual administration tasks, minimising fragmentation in access management processes and enabling single sign-on (SSO). Centrally managed SAP IAM and Access Governance tools ensure that only authorised SAP users can access specific systems, applications or data within the SAP landscape.

Why is it important?

SAP IAM (Identity and Access Management) is a critical element in maintaining robust cybersecurity practices. It provides a first line of defence against phishing and other cyber threats, reducing the need for multiple user credentials and passwords. By ensuring that only authorised individuals can access SAP systems and resources, SAP IAM and Access Governance tools help maintain data confidentiality, integrity and availability.

In addition to bolstering cybersecurity, effective use of SAP IAG delivers benefits such as streamlining processes for employee onboarding and offboarding, enhancing operational efficiency and mitigating the risk of insider threats and credential-based attacks. Organisations that implement these tools can also achieve compliance with industry regulations, internal and external audits, and data protection laws.

By leveraging SAP IAM and Access Governance, businesses can avoid the legal consequences and reputational damage associated with data breaches and noncompliance. Taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity through effective use of SAP IAG is a prudent investment that ultimately protects the organisation’s assets and reputation.

Summary: The main benefits of centralised and effective SAP IAG

Here are the main benefits of implementing SAP IAM and Access Governance tools:

1. Enhanced security: SAP IAM tools mitigate the risk of unauthorised access, wide-ranging data breaches and insider threats, shielding sensitive data and intellectual property.
2. Regulatory compliance: SAP IAM tools enable organisations to comply with regulatory requirements (such as those of   the GDPR) by ensuring data privacy and security with audit trails and traceable logs.
3. Streamlined operations: SAP IAM tools automate user provisioning and deprovisioning processes, reducing administrative overheads while ensuring that SAP users have the necessary level of access based on their job responsibilities. 
4. An improved user experience: SAP IAM tools enhance user experience by providing SSO capabilities, minimising the need for multiple credentials across different SAP systems or landscapes. This results in better SAP user authentication security and reduces the risk of phishing attacks.
5. Cost savings: SAP IAM tools reduce the incidence of security breaches while streamlining processes, cutting costs related to administrative overheads and data breaches. 

Organisations can protect their reputation, assets and intellectual property by implementing SAP IAM and Access Governance tools. Addressing this critical topic early in the S4 programme is recommended to ensure that the future system landscape is designed and implemented securely and sustainably from Day 1. This proactive approach safeguards the organisation’s digital resources and minimises the risk of security breaches down the line.

*SAP IAM and Access Governance tools:

SAP Access Control for S/4HANA

SAP Access Control (SAP GRC AC) is a comprehensive solution that automates user provisioning, role design and maintenance while integrating access risk analysis. Its role-based governance processes enhance user access management, streamlining the definition of business roles for cost-efficiency and better user experiences.

Cross-system access risk analysis and interactive dashboards provide comprehensive visibility regarding user access and potential access risks, emphasising the segregation of duties (SoD) and critical access violations. The software utilises a risk rule that is set to identify operational and IT-related access risks. The responsible risk owners can be notified of identified violations, enabling efficient risk remediation. Built-in risk simulation functionality allows for assessing the impact of authorisation changes before implementation, ensuring the integrity of business and IT processes.

SAP Cloud IAG 

SAP Cloud IAG is a SAP software as a service (SaaS) designed to monitor access risks and SoD controls in cloud-based SaaS business applications and various on-premises systems. Its capabilities include Access Analytics, Role Management, Access Requests, Access Reviews and Privileged Access Management   across these environments. While SAP Cloud IAG can operate autonomously, it can also be integrated with existing SAP GRC AC for a comprehensive solution.

___
Authors:

Mikko Haikonen
Jouni Viljanen