An access review is a structured check of who has access to which systems, roles, or data and whether that access is still appropriate. It matters because permissions often outlive real business need unless they are reviewed deliberately.
What is an Access Review?
Access reviews ask managers, system owners, or security teams to verify whether users, groups, service accounts, and third parties should still retain their current privileges. They are common in identity governance, compliance, and privileged-access control programs.
What Access Reviews Commonly Cover
Common review targets include privileged roles, shared resources, sensitive data access, third-party access, dormant accounts, and high-risk applications.
Access Review vs. Automated Provisioning
Automated provisioning grants or removes access operationally. Access review validates whether already-granted access still makes sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are access reviews important?
Because people change roles, projects end, vendors rotate, and unused access can become a major source of hidden risk.
How often should access reviews happen?
That depends on the sensitivity of the system and regulatory expectations, but periodic reviews are a core governance control.
