What is the purpose of the separation of duties (SoD) in security processes?

The separation of duties (SoD) is a critical principle in security processes designed to reduce the risk of fraud and error by dividing tasks and associated privileges among multiple individuals. The purpose of breaking down the authorization process into various steps is to ensure that no single individual has control over all aspects of any critical process. This division creates a system of checks and balances, where oversight and verification are inherent parts of operations.

By implementing SoD, organizations can mitigate risks related to unauthorized access and prevent any single point of failure within their processes. For example, if one individual had the ability to both initiate and approve a transaction, they could potentially carry out fraudulent activities without detection. In contrast, when duties are separated, the responsibilities for initiating, reviewing, and approving actions are distributed among different individuals, enhancing accountability and maintaining integrity in operations.