Should we use SAP Standard Roles or not.

blogs.sap.com/2023/07/25/should-we-use-sap-standard-roles-or-not.

Priya Ranjan Singh

July 25, 2023 1 minute read

0 5 430

As SAP security practitioners, we frequently encounter a critical decision-making process

concerning the effective management of user access. Today, we will explore a pivotal subject that
often sparks debates within the SAP community: The utilization of SAP Standard Roles.

SAP Standard Roles are predefined roles provided by SAP for each of its applications or
modules, identifiable by their nomenclature starting with “SAP*.”

SAP’s Recommendation:

SAP advises against direct usage of standard roles and instead recommends utilizing them as a
reference for creating customized roles within the client namespace. It is not mandatory for the
client namespace to be designated as Z* or Y*, as long as the roles created do not commence
with SAP* and are tailored to suit the specific requirements of the client.

In fact, any attempt to create a role starting with SAP will result in an error message stating: “Role
SAPXXX… is not in the customer namespace.”

Rationale for Avoidance:

The suggestion to avoid employing SAP standard roles is based on several reasons:

1. Security Risks: SAP standard roles are generic and grant extensive authorizations,
potentially exposing sensitive data and functionalities unnecessarily.
2. Compliance Concerns: Standard roles may not align with industry-specific compliance
requirements, leading to potential audit failures and legal consequences.
3. Limited Flexibility: Standard roles may not cater to an organization’s unique business
processes and security needs, hindering the ability to customize authorizations effectively.
4. Complex Role Management: As the organization expands, managing and updating
standard roles can become cumbersome, whereas custom roles can be more efficiently
maintained.
5. Reduced Efficiency: SAP standard roles often provide more access privileges than
required, compromising user efficiency and increasing the risk of misuse.
6. Conflict Resolution: Addressing segregation of duties (SoD) conflicts or user access
issues with standard roles can be challenging due to their generalized nature.
7. Impact of SAP Updates: SAP system upgrades may modify standard roles, potentially
disrupting user access and necessitating additional configuration efforts.

Recommended Approach:

1/2
To overcome these challenges, it is advisable to implement custom roles based on the principle of
least privilege. Custom roles offer more precise control over user access, aligning authorizations
with specific job duties and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.

Engaging in a Professional Discourse – Welcome Your Valuable Contributions!

I cordially extend an invitation to SAP enthusiasts, security experts, and professionals to

participate in a constructive conversation. Together, let us exchange insightful thoughts, valuable
experiences, and industry best practices pertaining to SAP access management. We encourage
you to share success stories, encountered challenges, and innovative solutions in the comments
section below. Your contributions will undoubtedly enrich the discussion and foster a collaborative
learning environment.

2/2