Definition
Access Rights Abuse refers to the improper or unauthorized use of legitimately granted system access by authorized users.
Context
Access rights abuse is commonly associated with insider threats, weak internal controls, and insufficient segregation of duties. It is particularly critical when privileged accounts are used to bypass controls or manipulate data.
Meaning
It is a common driver of internal IT-related fraud and can lead to significant financial and operational damage.
Example
An administrator misuses privileged access to alter financial data for personal benefit.
Sources
Suggested citation
wirtschaftsforensik.ch Editorial Team: "Access Rights Abuse", in: Glossary, wirtschaftsforensik.ch, https://wirtschaftsforensik.ch/glossar/access-rights-abuse/, accessed April 18, 2026.