In a digital world where companies work with a multitude of users, systems and applications, managing identities and access is crucial. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly complex to keep data consistent and manage access rights correctly. This is where reconciliation steps in: the process that ensures that data in different systems matches and that all changes can be tracked cleanly.
Reconciliation is more than just a technical process – it is the foundation for security, efficiency and compliance. In this article, we take a look at what reconciliation is, why it is so important and how companies can benefit from it.
Reconciliation as a comparison of desired and current state
One of the central tasks of reconciliation is to compare the desired state of user accounts and access rights with the current state. While the desired state describes the defined and approved system entitlements, the current state reflects the real existing accounts and system entitlements that are directly available in the connected systems. These two states are saved with a full history to ensure traceability and auditability.
An efficient identity management and access governance system should be able to continuously compare these two states. This allows discrepancies to be identified and quickly rectified. Examples of typical discrepancies:
- Orphaned accounts: If a new account is discovered in a system, such as Active Directory, that cannot be assigned to a user, it is marked as orphaned.
- Unapproved system entitlements: If an administrator in a system such as SAP assigns a role that is not stored in the desired state, it is marked as not approved.
Such discrepancies are clear violations of the compliance guidelines. A good solution for identity management and access governance shows these discrepancies transparently and enables the responsible team to take targeted measures. This not only ensures security, but also consistent access control across all systems.
Why is reconciliation essential for access governance?
Reconciliation plays a crucial role in access governance as it enables the continuous comparison between the desired state and the current state. This process ensures that discrepancies, such as orphaned accounts or unauthorized access rights, can be detected and addressed at an early stage. One example of this is the automatic marking of orphaned accounts that cannot be assigned to a user or roles that were assigned directly in a system such as SAP outside of the approved processes. Such deviations not only pose security risks, but can also lead to compliance violations. By making these differences visible and supporting corrective action, Reconciliation enables organizations to keep their access controls transparent and compliant. Reconciliation thus becomes the foundation for security and compliance in modern IT landscapes.
Best practices for the implementation of reconciliation
The implementation of reconciliation requires clear processes, automated workflows and transparent reporting – everything that NEXIS 4 offers to optimally support companies. Reconciliation in NEXIS 4 is based on the intelligent connection of data import and data export, which makes it possible to precisely compare the desired state and the current state. Deviations such as orphaned accounts or unapproved system entitlements are reliably detected and displayed directly to the user in the Synchronization Summary. This feature provides a comprehensive overview of inconsistencies so that targeted measures can be initiated to resolve them. NEXIS 4 also offers the option of creating reports on the target/current comparison, which not only create transparency but can also be used for audits or internal control purposes. These reports document deviations in detail and support companies in meeting their compliance requirements. By seamlessly integrating reconciliation into IAM/IGA processes, NEXIS 4 ensures automated and efficient management of access controls. Companies benefit not only from improved security, but also from clear documentation and sustainable protection against security breaches.
Conclusion
Reconciliation is an essential component of modern access governance, as it combines security, compliance and efficiency. The reconciliation of desired and current states creates transparency and uncovers discrepancies that could otherwise go unnoticed. With NEXIS 4, this process is optimally supported by intelligent functions such as the Synchronization Summary and comprehensive reporting options. Companies benefit from sustainable access control, clear traceability and reduced risk. NEXIS 4 thus lays the foundation for a secure and future-proof IT landscape.