In SAP landscapes, there are scenarios where users require elevated, temporary access to perform critical or emergency tasks—such as resolving system outages, fixing urgent configuration issues, or conducting investigations. Granting such privileged access permanently is risky, as it may lead to misuse or bypass of internal controls. This is where SAP Emergency Access Management (EAM), commonly known as the Firefighter concept, becomes essential.
SAP EAM provides a controlled and auditable framework for granting, monitoring, and reviewing emergency access. This article explains how to configure SAP Emergency Access Management and highlights its significance within the SAP-User-Access-Review process.
SAP EAM allows designated users to obtain temporary, high-level access through special “firefighter” IDs or roles. These sessions are carefully logged and reviewed afterward to ensure appropriate use, thus balancing the need for emergency access with security and compliance.
- Temporary Elevated Access: Firefighter IDs enable users to perform tasks beyond their regular authorizations.
- Detailed Activity Logging: All actions during firefighter sessions are recorded for accountability.
- Access Request and Approval Workflows: Controlled granting of firefighter access with manager approvals.
- Post-Access Review: Supervisors or auditors review logs and approve or reject the use of emergency access.
- Integration with SAP GRC: EAM works seamlessly within SAP GRC Access Control for consolidated monitoring and reporting.
- Create dedicated firefighter user IDs or roles with elevated authorizations that cover emergency tasks.
- Ensure these IDs are clearly identified and not used for routine operations.
- Designate users authorized to request firefighter access and assign them firefighter user roles.
- Limit the number of firefighters to essential personnel to reduce risk.
- Set up automated workflows to manage firefighter access requests and approvals via SAP GRC Access Control or SAP Solution Manager.
- Define approval hierarchies to ensure proper oversight.
- Configure system parameters to capture detailed logs of all activities performed using firefighter IDs.
- Ensure logs are tamper-proof and stored securely for audit purposes.
- Assign reviewers who receive notifications to examine firefighter activity logs after emergency sessions.
- Reviewers can approve, request clarifications, or escalate suspicious activities.
¶ Step 6: Reporting and Audit
- Generate periodic reports summarizing firefighter access usage, approvals, and review outcomes.
- Use these reports to demonstrate compliance during internal and external audits.
- Strict Access Controls: Limit firefighter access strictly to emergency scenarios.
- Regular Review of Firefighter Users: Periodically review and update the list of authorized firefighters.
- Separation of Duties: Ensure that emergency access management responsibilities are segregated from operational roles.
- Training and Awareness: Educate firefighters and reviewers on proper use and monitoring.
- Automate Notifications: Use automated alerts to prompt timely reviews and approvals.
SAP Emergency Access Management complements the regular SAP-User-Access-Review by providing a mechanism to grant, monitor, and review temporary privileged access safely. Post-access reviews ensure that emergency privileges are not abused and that all elevated activities are justified and documented. Integrating EAM logs and certifications into the broader user access review process strengthens overall access governance and compliance posture.
Configuring SAP Emergency Access Management is critical for maintaining security and compliance while enabling rapid response to urgent business needs. By implementing a well-defined EAM framework—complete with controlled firefighter IDs, rigorous logging, approval workflows, and post-access reviews—organizations can mitigate risks associated with emergency access.
A robust SAP EAM configuration not only enhances operational agility but also supports comprehensive SAP-User-Access-Review efforts, ensuring emergency access remains transparent, accountable, and auditable.