SAP Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) is often seen as an application of controls, ensuring enterprises stay compliant and secure. But as any SAP GRC consultant will tell you, behind the polished dashboards and SoD (Segregation of Duties) matrices lie some lesser-known yet critical challenges that can make or break your GRC strategy.
Let’s dive into some of the hidden pitfalls of SAP GRC that don’t get enough attention
1. “One-Size-Fits-All” Rule Set Syndrome
Many organizations implement SAP GRC with out-of-the-box rule sets and assume they’re covered and are completely Sox/SoD compliant. The problem? Standard rule sets don’t always reflect the unique business processes and risks of an enterprise. They must be utilized as a baseline.
Example: A global company using a generic SoD rule set might flag conflicts that aren’t actually risks in their specific operations, leading to unnecessary firefighting and role redesign efforts.
What is the solution? It is always recommended to tailor the rule set to align with your business needs. Involve process owners and auditors to ensure relevance. Disable those which are not relevant and add the ones what needs to be part of the rule set. For example, your custom transaction codes.
2. Over-Reliance on Automated Controls
Yes, automation is powerful, but blindly trusting automated GRC controls without proper oversight is a recipe for disaster.
Example: Automated access reviews might seem great, but if managers are just clicking the approval button without understanding the risk, you’re inviting compliance issues.
What is the solution? Combine automation with human intelligence. Train reviewers on what they’re approving and implement periodic audits.
3. The “Too Many Firefighters” Problem
Firefighter (emergency access) access is meant for temporary, critical access. But in many companies, they become a backdoor for permanent privileged access. I’ve seen in some instances where the FFIDs have SAP_ALL, SAP_NEW assigned
Example: If every second user has firefighter access “just in case,” then what’s really being controlled?
What is the solution? Reduce firefighter usage with strict policies. Ensure that the Firefighter IDs have limited and relevant access, not SAP_ALL. Look at how often your users are asking for such access. Set expiration dates, and enforce approvals before access is granted. A detailed review is must after the usage.
4. Role Design Nightmares
Ever seen a single SAP role with 500+ transaction codes? It happens more often than you’d think. Poorly designed roles create access chaos, security risks, and audit nightmares.
Example: A company that grants “Display All” access thinking it’s harmless—only to realize some reports contain sensitive payroll data.
What is the solution? Follow a least privilege approach. Display tcodes does possess risks. Design roles based on business functions, not user demands and assumptions. And, no, giving everyone SAP_ALL is not a solution!
5. The “Check-the-Box” Compliance Trap
Many organizations treat GRC as a compliance checklist rather than a risk mitigation strategy. The result? A false sense of security.
Example: An enterprise that passes an audit but later discovers a critical access loophole exploited by an insider threat.
What is the solution? Shift from a compliance-first mindset to a risk-first approach. Ask, “What’s the real-world impact of this control?” rather than just checking off audit items.
Final Thoughts: GRC is Not Just About Tools, It’s About Mindset
SAP GRC isn’t just about implementing Access Control, Process Control, or Risk Management modules—it’s about adopting a security and compliance culture. The best GRC strategies combine technology, process rigor, and human intelligence to create a resilient, risk-aware organization.
So, if you’re implementing SAP GRC, ask yourself: Are you just following best practices, or are you challenging them to fit your enterprise’s unique needs? Let’s make GRC smarter, not just stricter.
