6. Simplify compliance with access reviews

As we’ve seen throughout this guide, staying compliant in a fast-moving SaaS environment requires a clear view of who has access to which apps and systems, and why those permissions were granted. As organizations adopt more tools and roles shift across teams, user permissions also need to adjust. Without a structured SaaS governance strategy, IT, Security, and Compliance teams can struggle to maintain least-privilege access or produce reliable evidence for audits.

Access reviews help keep this all in check. They verify whether users still need the permissions they hold and provide the documentation required for SOC2, SOX, ISO 27001, and internal audits. Yet, many teams still run access reviews through spreadsheets, manual exports, and inconsistent workflows that falter as soon as an app lacks SCIM or access level data.

1Password SaaS Manager simplifies this process by centralizing access reviews, automating the operational work, and delivering the complete, auditable evidence that app owners, IT managers, security engineers, and GRC teams need to stay compliant.

Centralize control to automate and standardize access reviews

Many access review tools show users and accounts, but not roles or permission levels. Others only pull detailed data from a narrow set of tools, leaving out tools and custom applications entirely that don’t support SSO or SCIM. The resulting workflow forces reviewers to jump between identity providers, app admin consoles, and spreadsheets just to answer a simple question: Does this person still need this level of access?

1Password SaaS Manager eliminates that fragmentation. It continuously consolidates user and permission data from HRIS, identity providers, 350+ native API integrations, and manual imports. Each data source is ranked by trustworthiness, so reviewers see prioritized, accurate information  rather than conflicting system outputs. Every application, SCIM or not, can be included in access reviews, either through API, CSV, or custom integration.

Access reviews can be scheduled on a regular basis or on an ad-hoc basis. When an access review launches, reviewers see a consistent view of users, employment status, access levels, roles, and any access issues 1Password SaaS Manager has flagged. Reviewers no longer need to cross-reference systems, search for permission definitions, or track down app owners for missing data. The friction disappears, and the quality of decisions and auditability improves. Bulk decisions remove repetitive, low-value work and allow reviewers to move quickly. 

Reviewer workflows that fit real organizational structure

1Password SaaS Manager assigns reviewers based on the app’s designated owner or reviewer role. This means IT, Security, or individual app owners – such as RevOps or Marketing Ops – could be assigned to the review). Reviewers then receive notifications via email, Slack, or Microsoft Teams whenever a review becomes active or approaches its due date. 

1Password SaaS Manager gives them the context they need: user details, access levels, login signals, issues, and employment status. Approvals and revocations can be completed with a single click. Filters help reviewers move quickly by team, access level, cost center, or access risk, while custom fields can be used to select which applications are included in a review. 

The system also supports direct, in-line actions, allowing reviewers to deactivate users, update access levels, suspend accounts, or remove access entirely, without leaving the access review. If the app doesn’t support in-line actions, reviewers can also record a manual action with notes and supporting evidence. 1Password SaaS Manager logs every decision, who made it, when, and why.

For IT managers and security engineers responsible for coordinating the access review process, the benefit is straightforward: no more needing to chase down app owners or assemble evidence manually. The system enforces deadlines, centralizes decisions, and reduces friction across departments.

Fully auditable output for Compliance and GRC

Compliance and GRC teams often carry the final responsibility for submitting access review documentation to auditors. Inconsistent evidence is one of the most common causes of audit delays and an equally common source of tension between IT, Security, and Compliance teams.

1Password SaaS Manager removes that risk by producing clear, standardized documentation for every review. Teams can export results as a unified .zip containing .xlsx and .csv files for each included application. Every entry shows reviewer identity, timestamps, decisions, and supporting notes or manual actions. There’s no reformatting, no last-minute manual edits, and no ambiguity for auditors to accelerate audit cycles.

A more mature SaaS governance practice

Access reviews in 1Password SaaS Manager are part of a broader lifecycle approach to SaaS governance. By integrating access reviews with ongoing onboarding and offboarding workflows, IT and Security teams get a repeatable, dependable process rather than a quarterly scramble. App owners can easily review their apps in a structured way, and Compliance receives evidence they can trust.

Once access reviews are standardized and compliant, the next step is controlling the cost of your SaaS environment. Chapter 7 explores how 1Password SaaS Manager can help organizations do just that: by identifying unused licenses, redundant apps, and opportunities to reduce waste.