Approval Request Process in IAM

 

 

 Approval Request Process in IAM:

The Approval Request Process is a structured workflow that ensures access requests go through proper validation before granting permissions. This helps organizations maintain security, compliance, and access governance.

     Steps in the Approval Request Process:

1. User Initiates Request – A user submits a request to gain access to a specific resource, application, or role.
2.  Manager Review & Approval – The request is sent to the user's manager for validation.
3.  Second-Level Approval (if needed) – Additional approvals may be required (e.g., security team, compliance team, or application owner).
4.  Escalation (if no response) – If the approver does not take action within a set timeframe, the request is automatically escalated.
5.  Final Decision – The approvers either approve or reject the request. If approved, the requested access is granted.
6.  Audit & Logging – The entire process is recorded for security and compliance tracking.

 Detailed Workflow:

1️⃣ Single-Level Approval Process with Escalation

    A[ User Submits Access Request] --> B[👨‍💼 Manager Reviews Request]
    B -- Approve --> C[✅ Access Granted]
    B -- Reject --> D[❌ Access Denied]
    B -- No Response (48hrs) --> E[⏫ Escalation to Manager's Manager]
    E --> F[👨‍💼 Manager's Manager Reviews Request]
    F -- Approve --> C
    F -- Reject --> D

Explanation:

• User Submits Request (A): The process starts when a user submits a request for access.

• Manager Reviews Request (B): The request goes to the direct manager for a decision.
• Approval/Reject:

• If approved, access is granted (C).
• If rejected, access is denied (D).

• No Response Escalation (E & F):
  • If the manager does not respond within 48 hours, the request is escalated to the manager's manager (E).
  • The manager's manager then reviews and either approves (C) or rejects (D).

---

2️⃣ Multi-Level Approval Process

    A[📥 User Submits Access Request] --> B[👨‍💼 Manager Reviews Request]
    B -- Approve --> C[🔎 Salesforce Admin (or User Group) Reviews Request]
    B -- Reject --> D[❌ Access Denied]
    B -- No Response --> E[⏫ Escalation to Manager's Manager]
    E --> C
    C -- Approve --> F[✅ Access Granted]
    C -- Reject --> D
    C -- No Response --> G[⚠️ Escalation or Auto-Reject]

Explanation:

• User Submits Request (A): Raphael, for example, submits an access request for a sensitive system.

• First-Level Approval (B):

• Her manager reviews the request.
• If approved, it moves to the next level (C).
• If rejected, the process stops (D).
• If there is no response, it escalates to the manager’s manager (E), who then forwards it to the Salesforce Admin.

• Second-Level Approval (C):
  • The Salesforce Admin (or a designated user group) reviews the request.
  • If approved, access is granted (F).
  • If rejected, access is denied (D).
  • If there is no response, the system can either escalate further or auto-reject (G).

  ---

  🌟 Key Points to Remember:

  • Timely Responses: Setting a clear timeframe (e.g., 48 hours) ensures that requests don’t stall.
  • Escalation Paths: Automatically escalating non-responsive approvals helps maintain momentum and avoids bottlenecks.
  • Multiple Checks: Requiring multiple approvals increases security, especially for sensitive systems.
  • Audit Trail: Every step is logged to provide accountability and support compliance audits.

    ---

    Why is the Approval Request Process Important?

    ✅ Ensures security – Prevents unauthorized access to sensitive systems.
    ✅ Maintains compliance – Meets regulatory requirements (e.g., SOX, GDPR).
    ✅ Reduces risk – Ensures access is granted only when necessary.
    ✅ Enhances accountability – Creates a clear audit trail.