What are access management workflows?

Access management workflows are structured processes and procedures designed to manage and control access to resources, systems and data within an organization. These workflows are crucial for ensuring security, compliance, and efficiency. They help organizations grant and revoke access to employees, partners, customers and other stakeholders while maintaining a secure and organized environment.

Key components of access management workflows include the following:

1. User Provisioning. This is the process of granting access to new users, whether they are employees, contractors or customers. It involves creating user accounts, assigning roles and permissions, and providing necessary credentials.
2. User Deprovisioning. When a user’s role or relationship with the organization changes or terminates, their access should be revoked promptly and completely. This ensures that former employees or contractors cannot access sensitive information after they’ve left the organization.
3. Access Requests. Users may need to request additional access or permissions, especially in larger organizations. Access management workflows often include mechanisms for users to request access, which can then be reviewed and approved by appropriate personnel.
4. Access Reviews. Regularly reviewing and recertifying access rights is essential for ensuring that users  have the right level of access and are not retaining access they no longer need. This helps organizations maintain compliance with security and regulatory requirements.
5. Role-based Access Control. RBAC is a method of access management that assigns permissions to roles rather than individual users. Access management workflows include defining and managing these roles, and then assigning users to appropriate roles based on their job functions.
6. Access Control Policies. Organizations need to define and manage access control policies that dictate who has access to what resources. These policies are often created based on industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
7. Authentication and Authorization. Access management workflows also include the processes for authenticating users (verifying their identity) and authorizing them (determining what they are allowed to do once authenticated.)
8. Auditing and Monitoring. Regularly auditing and monitoring access activities helps organizations detect and respond to any suspicious or unauthorized access. This is essential for security and compliance.
9. Self-Service Access Management. Some organizations implement self-service portals that allow users to manage their own access within certain predefined limits. For example, users can request elevated access without IT intervention.
10. Integration with Identity and Access Management (IAM) Systems. Access management workflows often leverage IAM systems and tools to streamline access management processes, ensuring consistency and efficiency.

Access management workflows can vary significantly depending on the organization’s size, industry,  and specific needs. They play a vital role in maintaining the security and compliance of an organization’s systems and data while enabling employees and stakeholders to access the resources they need to perform their roles effectively.