An access workflow is the process used to request, review, approve, grant, and later revoke permissions for a user, service, or system. It usually includes identity checks, manager or owner approval, logging, and expiration rules for temporary access. A good workflow supports least privilege by making sure people get only the access they need, only for as long as they need it.
In cyber security, access workflows matter because they control privileged actions such as deploying code, reading sensitive data, or changing infrastructure. If the workflow is too slow or unclear, teams may create informal workarounds, stale accounts, or overbroad permissions, all of which increase attack surface. Defenders use strong workflows to add review checkpoints, require time-bound access, and keep an audit trail that shows who approved what and when. Attackers often try to bypass these controls by stealing credentials, abusing standing privileges, or exploiting weak offboarding processes.