What should application system users have access to, regarding their job duties?

Users of application systems should have access only to necessary functions as this principle is fundamental to the concept of least privilege. The least privilege policy ensures that individuals have the minimum levels of access – or permissions – necessary to perform their job duties effectively. By restricting access in this manner, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized actions or data breaches.

Allowing only the necessary access helps maintain security and oversight, ensuring that users do not have capabilities that could be exploited for fraudulent purposes or could inadvertently lead to security vulnerabilities. This practice aids in safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining the integrity of the application system.

In contrast, full access to all functions would pose significant risks, as it would empower users with capabilities beyond their job functions, potentially leading to misuse or abuse of the system. Access to administrative functions is typically reserved for a smaller group of trusted personnel who manage the system, further reinforcing the need for segmentation of access rights. Lastly, unsupervised access to the source code can lead to serious security vulnerabilities, as users could modify foundational elements of the application without oversight, potentially introducing malware or enabling fraud.