Top 25 Interview Questions with Answers for SAP IAG

Master your SAP Cloud Identity and Access Governance (IAG) interview with these top 25 questions and detailed answers that will set you apart from the competition.

Essential Knowledge for SAP Cloud IAG

SAP Cloud Identity and Access Governance (IAG) is a vital tool for organizations looking to streamline their access management and compliance processes. It helps ensure that only authorized users have access to appropriate resources, thereby minimizing security risks and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Understanding the core components of SAP Cloud IAG, such as Identity Management, Access Request Management, and Role Management, is crucial. These components work together to provide comprehensive solutions for user provisioning, role management, and access control. Being familiar with the integration capabilities with other SAP and non-SAP systems can also significantly enhance your interview performance.

Top 25 Interview Questions with Answers for SAP IAG

1. What is SAP IAG?

SAP IAG (Identity and Access Governance) is a cloud-based solution that manages and governs user access to SAP and non-SAP systems. It automates access request approvals, performs risk analysis, and ensures compliance with audit policies.

2. How does SAP IAG differ from SAP GRC Access Control?

• Deployment:

1. SAP IAG is cloud-based.
2. SAP GRC AC is on-premise.

• Integration:

1. IAG integrates easily with SAP cloud apps like S/4HANA Cloud and SuccessFactors.
2. GRC is primarily focused on on-premise systems.

• Maintenance:

1. IAG requires less infrastructure and patching.

3. What are the key components of SAP IAG?

• Access Request
• Role Design and Management
• Access Risk Analysis
• Emergency Access Management
• Integration with Identity Authentication (IAS) and Identity Provisioning (IPS)

4. What is Access Risk Analysis in SAP IAG?

Access Risk Analysis (ARA) identifies potential SoD (Segregation of Duties) violations or sensitive access risks before granting user roles. It helps ensure access is compliant with company policies.

5. How does SAP IAG integrate with SAP S/4HANA?

SAP IAG connects with S/4HANA using SAP Cloud Connector and communication arrangements. Roles and user data are synced, and risk analysis can be conducted before access provisioning.

6. What is the role of SAP Cloud Identity Services (IAS and IPS) in SAP IAG?

• IAS (Identity Authentication Service): Handles secure single sign-on and user authentication.
• IPS (Identity Provisioning Service): Manages user identity lifecycle and provisioning across systems.

7. Can SAP IAG handle non-SAP applications?

Yes, with the help of Identity Provisioning and integration connectors, SAP IAG can govern access for some non-SAP apps that support SCIM or SAML.

8. What is Emergency Access Management in SAP IAG?

It allows users temporary elevated access to perform emergency tasks. All activities are logged for audit purposes, similar to Firefighter ID in GRC AC.

9. What is SoD (Segregation of Duties)? Why is it important in IAG?

SoD ensures that no single user can perform conflicting tasks (e.g., creating a vendor and processing payments). IAG enforces SoD policies to reduce fraud and ensure compliance.

10. How is access risk simulation performed in SAP IAG?

Access simulation lets you preview potential risks before assigning a role to a user. It helps security teams prevent violations proactively.

11. What deployment model is used by SAP IAG?

SAP IAG is available as a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) and runs on SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP).

12. How does SAP IAG ensure compliance?

• Real-time risk analysis
• Continuous access monitoring
• Audit-ready logs and reports
• Policy-based access control

13. What are the advantages of using SAP IAG over manual provisioning?

• Automation of workflows
• Fewer errors and delays
• Enforced compliance
• Real-time risk checks
• Audit trail and transparency

14. What is a Mitigation Control in SAP IAG?

Mitigation controls are documented procedures or configurations that reduce the impact of an access risk. These can be assigned when a risk cannot be removed due to business requirements.

15. What systems can SAP IAG connect to?

• SAP S/4HANA (Cloud and On-Premise)
• SAP SuccessFactors
• SAP Ariba
• SAP BTP services
• Non-SAP systems via SCIM or SAML

16. What are the steps to configure Access Request Management in SAP IAG?

1. Define request types and workflows
2. Set up user roles
3. Configure approvers and conditions
4. Integrate with source systems
5. Enable notifications and logs

17. How do you maintain roles in SAP IAG?

• Use the Role Design service
• Define business and technical roles
• Perform simulation and risk checks
• Assign roles via workflows

18. Can you create custom rules in SAP IAG?

Yes, you can create custom SoD rules and risk definitions to match business policies. Rule sets can be imported or customized within the IAG interface.

19. What kind of reports can SAP IAG generate?

• Risk analysis reports
• Mitigation reports
• User access reports
• Role change history
• Emergency access usage logs

20. What is the connection between SAP IAG and SAP BTP?

SAP IAG runs on SAP BTP, utilizing services like IAS, IPS, and integration suite. BTP provides the platform for secure and scalable identity governance.

21. What is a Role Derivation in SAP IAG?

It refers to creating derived roles from a master role with variations based on org-level fields (like company code or plant).

22. How does IAG handle multi-application user access?

SAP IAG allows unified workflows to request, approve, and provision access to multiple connected systems (e.g., S/4HANA, SuccessFactors) from a single interface.

23. What is the difference between Business Role and Technical Role in IAG?

• Business Role: Represents a functional job-based role grouping multiple technical roles.
• Technical Role: A system-specific access role (e.g., S/4HANA role).

24. How is user access revoked in SAP IAG?

Access is revoked via de-provisioning rules, expiry-based logic, or manual request workflows. IPS automates the process across systems.

25. What are the challenges in SAP IAG implementation?

• Integration with legacy systems
• Mapping custom SoD rules
• Training for end users and approvers
• Role design complexities
• Data sync and connector configuration

Advanced Topics in SAP Cloud IAG

For those looking to dive deeper into SAP Cloud IAG, advanced topics include customizing workflows, implementing advanced SoD policies, and leveraging machine learning for predictive analytics in access management.

Other areas of interest might include exploring the API capabilities for extending IAG functionalities, integrating with third-party security tools, and developing custom reports to meet specific organizational needs. Mastery of these advanced topics can significantly enhance your expertise and value in any organization leveraging SAP Cloud IAG.