Challenges in authorization management
Object S_BTCH_NAM and S_BTCH_NA1 (use of foreign users in Steps)
There are extensive revision requirements for password rules. Learn how to define these requirements globally, which special characters are accepted by the SAP standard, and how to set the parameters for generated passwords. Do you not want to use SAP's standard password creation rules, but rather make your own password requirements for your users? Do you need to implement internal or external security requirements, such as audit requirements? You do not want to allow certain words as passwords, exclude certain special characters or change the formats of passwords generated by the SAP system? In the following we give you an overview of the possible characters, the existing profile parameters and the customising settings for passwords.
In order to perform an operation in the SAP system, several authorizations may be required. The resulting interrelationships can become very complex. In order to nevertheless offer a procedure that is manageable and easy to handle, the SAP authorization concept was implemented on the basis of authorization objects. Several system elements to be protected form an authorization object.
Activity level
It is important that after the AUTHORITY-CHECK OBJECT command is called, the return code in SY-SUBRC is checked. This must be set to 0; only then a jump is allowed.
You can do this by using the P_ABAP authorization object to override the usual permission checks. This applies to all reports that access the logical database PNPCE (or PNP). In case of a P_ABAP permission, the usual checks for authorization objects, such as P_ORGIN or P_ORGINCON, will no longer take place or will be simplified. This also applies to structural permissions. Whether the permission checks are simplified or completely switched off is controlled by the COARS field of the object. To disable all checks, set the value COARS = 2. This value does not limit the data displayed in the legitimate report. If you want to allow advanced permissions for reporting, but you do not want them to be unrestricted, you must select COARS = 1. In this case, you will also designate the P_ORGIN (or P_ORGINCON, P_ORGXX and P_ORGXXCON) authorization object. However, you must be careful not to mark all fields of the objects, otherwise direct access is also possible. Therefore, always write two versions of the P_ORGIN authorization object, one with the functional permissions (permission levels, info types, and subtypes), and one with the organisational boundaries (personnel area, employee group, employee group, and organisation keys). In addition, you will of course need a P_ABAP for the relevant reports with the value COARS = 1.
Assigning a role for a limited period of time is done in seconds with "Shortcut for SAP systems" and allows you to quickly continue your go-live.
You can also find some useful tips from practice on the subject of SAP authorizations on the page www.sap-corner.de.
When you create roles that are only intended for specific systems, such as the development system, it makes sense to include this information in the role name.
Do you only want to identify permissions that are critical to the operation of the SAP system, or business-critical processes? Also define the consistency that has a critical role to play in the assignment to the user.