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| | What are SAP authorization objects? (29th May 25 at 4:34am UTC) | | In the SAP system, authorization objects play a critical role in ensuring data security, operational integrity, and controlled access to functionality. They are fundamental elements of the SAP authorization concept, used to define specific actions that users are allowed to perform within the system. By managing what users can or cannot do, authorization objects help organizations maintain compliance, protect sensitive data, and enforce role-based access control (RBAC).
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What Are Authorization Objects?
Authorization objects are components in the SAP security framework that group together one or more fields (known as authorization fields) which are used to check a user’s permission for a specific activity. These objects are not tied to transactions themselves but to the individual actions within transactions. Whenever a user attempts to execute a transaction, run a report, or access a certain function, the SAP system checks the relevant authorization objects to determine if the action should be permitted.
Each authorization object generally checks for two or more conditions – for example, whether the user can perform a specific activity (like "create" or "display") and whether the action pertains to a certain data value (such as a company code, plant, or cost center).
Structure of an Authorization Object
An authorization object in SAP typically includes:
Object name (e.g., F_BKPF_BUK for posting in accounting documents),
Authorization fields (e.g., BUKRS for company code and ACTVT for activity),
Permissible values for each field.
Each object groups related permissions. The fields and their values define what operations are allowed, and under what conditions. For example, an object might control whether a user can post transactions in a specific company code.
How They Work
When a user performs an action in SAP, the system performs an authorization check using the AUTHORITY-CHECK statement within the program code. This check refers to a specific authorization object and compares the user’s assigned authorizations (from roles and profiles) with the required values. If the check fails, access is denied or an error message is displayed.
Role of Authorization Objects in Roles
Authorization objects are included in roles, which are collections of access permissions assigned to users. A role can be thought of as a bundle of responsibilities (like a financial analyst, warehouse manager, etc.) that come with a predefined set of authorizations. These roles are created and managed using the transaction PFCG.
Each role includes authorization objects and values for the associated fields. When the role is generated, a profile is created and attached to the user. This profile is then used during runtime authorization checks.
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Examples of Authorization Objects
F_BKPF_BUK – Used in financial accounting, controls document processing based on company codes and activities (like posting or reversing).
S_TCODE – Controls access to transactions based on transaction codes.
M_BEST_BSA – Determines access to different types of purchase documents in Materials Management.
P_ORGIN – Related to HR and controls access to employee data based on organizational units.
Key Benefits
Granular control: Instead of granting blanket access, specific actions can be tightly controlled.
Audit readiness: Helps demonstrate compliance with security and privacy regulations.
Reduced risk: Ensures users can access only what is necessary for their job.
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Best Practices
Use standard authorization objects wherever possible to minimize maintenance complexity.
Avoid assigning SAP_ALL to users unless absolutely necessary, as it bypasses all security controls.
Implement segregation of duties (SoD) to prevent conflict-prone access (e.g., preventing a user from both creating and approving payments).
SAP authorization objects are vital to controlling access in SAP systems. They provide a flexible, granular method for managing what users can do, ensuring that permissions align with organizational policies and compliance requirements. By grouping related authorization fields, they enable precise, activity-specific access control that forms the backbone of SAP's security model. Understanding and managing these objects effectively is essential for any SAP administrator or security consultant.
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