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Set up user permissions

Type of countermeasure

This is a prevention countermeasure. Prevention countermeasures are the most common and cost effective way to stop fraud. They prevent or limit the size of the fraud risk by reducing the likelihood and consequences of fraud.

decorative  prevention countermeasures

Summary

Limit and control functionality within systems with user permissions. Assign permissions to users based on specific business needs, such as making high-risk functions limited to specialised users. The Protective Security Policy Framework sets out the government protective security policies that support this countermeasure.

Why this countermeasure matters

Not controlling system functionality with user permissions can lead to:

  • staff facilitating fraudulent payments
  • staff accessing, manipulating and disclosing information without a business need
  • staff processing fraudulent requests or claims for themselves or another person
  • criminals coercing staff into providing information.

How to put this countermeasure in place

Some ways to implement this countermeasure include:

  • limiting access to functionality within systems to specific permissions
  • requiring a business case and approval to obtain specific permissions
  • making sure only certain teams have access to certain functions, such as only payroll staff having access to payroll functions and information
  • blocking staff from accessing their own records
  • making sure only authorised representatives can perform functions on a client’s record.

How to measure this countermeasure's effectiveness

Measure the effectiveness of this countermeasure using the following methods:

  • Confirm controls comply with the Protective Security Policy Framework. This includes security requirements for:
    • sensitive and classified information
    • access to information
    • safeguarding information from cyber threats
    • robust ICT systems.
  • Confirm the existence of permissions and limits within the system.
  • Review procedures or guidance to confirm it clearly specifies where permissions should be limited.
  • Obtain and review requirements for who should have certain user permissions.
  • Confirm the existence of a request and approvals process for obtaining specific permissions.
  • Confirm request and approvals processes are consistently applied.
  • Review procedures for requesting user permissions, confirm the request processes are robust and actively test them if required.
  • Confirm that someone cannot get around standard process requirements even when subject to pressure or coercion.
  • Confirm that user permissions consider separation of duties requirements.
  • Review the need for Security Clearances for some permissions.
  • Review reports of user permissions to confirm only those who require permissions have the permissions.
  • Undertake testing or a process walk-through to confirm that permissions within systems work correctly and cannot be ignored.
  • Confirm the existence of a review and reconciliation process and review the reports.
  • Review any past access breaches to identify how they were allowed to occur.

Related countermeasures

This type of countermeasure is supported by:

Develop clear instructions and guidance for activities and processes, such as instructions for collecting the right information to verify eligibility or entitlements, procedures to help staff apply consistent and correct processes and guidance to help staff make correct and ethical decisions.

Clearly document decision-makers using delegations, authorisations and instructions. Clearly defined decision-making powers increase transparency and reduce the opportunity for fraud and corruption.

Use declarations or acknowledgments to both communicate and confirm that a person understands their obligations and the consequences for non-compliance. The declaration could be written or verbal, and should encourage compliance and deter fraud.

Escalate non-standard requests or claims for further review or scrutiny. Non-standard requests or claims might include those that are late, do not meet normal conditions, include evidence that is difficult to verify (such as from overseas) or are for amounts that are higher than normal.

Set up system prompts and alerts to warn users when information is inconsistent or irregular, which either requires acceptance or denies further actions.

Separate duties by allocating tasks and associated privileges for a business process to multiple staff. This is very important in areas such as payroll, finance, procurement, contract management and human resources. Systems help to enforce the strong separation of duties. This is also known as segregation of duties.

Limit and monitor privileged system accesses (those that allow staff, contractors and providers to perform special functions or override system and application controls). The Protective Security Policy Framework outlines the government protective security requirements to safeguard information from cyber threats, including to restrict administrative privileges.

Conduct system testing to identify vulnerabilities prior to release. Untested systems can allow vulnerabilities to be released into production environments.

Prepare summary reports on activities for clients, managers or responsible staff.

Establish exception reports to identify activities that are different from the standard, normal, or expected process and should be further investigated.

Internal or external audits or reviews evaluate the process, purpose and outcome of activities. Clients, public officials or contractors can take advantage of weaknesses in government programs and systems to commit fraud, act corruptly, and avoid exposure.

Related Fraudster Personas

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