Organizations typically manage data permissions across multiple tools as part of their data governance strategy. Managing permissions in separate systems leads to slower processes, potential security gaps, and coordination challenges between data teams and users. Secoda's Access Request feature centralizes permission management into a single automated system that works across the entire data stack.

Key benefits

1. Single access management hub

Access requests and approvals flow through one unified system. Instead of managing permissions in multiple places, users request access through either Secoda's interface or Slack, while administrators review and manage everything from Secoda. The system maintains a clear record of all access changes and decisions.

2. Automated security controls

Security is built into every step of the process. The system maintains comprehensive audit logs, automatically enforces temporary access expiration dates, and integrates with Okta for enhanced security controls. This gives administrators clear visibility into who has access to what resources, when that access will expire, and the business reasons behind each request.

3. User convenience

Making an access request is straightforward whether done through Secoda or Slack. Users specify exactly which resources they need, how long they need access, and why they need it. The system keeps them informed with request status updates and maintains an accessible history of all their past requests.

4. Administrative efficiency

Administrators can handle access management smoothly through integrations with enterprise tools like Okta. The centralized access management layer in Secoda provides a clear overview of all pending requests, enables direct communication through comments, and helps maintain consistent approval processes. This structured approach makes it easier to manage access at scale while maintaining proper controls.

Managing access requests in Secoda

Submitting a request

Need access to specific data resources? Follow these straightforward steps to submit your request:

1. Navigate to the Workspace section in the lefthand sidebar and select "Requests"
2. Choose the integration containing your desired data resources
3. From the dropdown menu, select the specific resource(s) you need access to
4. Set an access duration - either specify an end date or leave it blank for indefinite access
5. Provide a clear business justification explaining why you need access to these assets
6. Submit your request by clicking "Create request" and await admin approval

Once submitted, you can track all your pending requests, their current statuses, and any previously rejected requests directly in the Requests section. You'll receive notifications about request approvals or denials through your preferred channels (Secoda Inbox, email, Slack, or Microsoft Teams).

Reviewing requests

As an administrator, you can easily manage incoming access requests:

1. Go to the “Requests” in the lefthand sidebar
2. Click on any request to view its details
3. Review the request details and click either "Approve access" or "Deny access" to process it
4. Write an optional comment to send back to the requester

Read the full product documentation here.

Example use cases

• Marketing team members need indefinite access to campaign performance data
• Outside consultants need temporary access to specific data resources 
• Team leads need to monitor and manage data access across their department 

See it in action

Ready to transform your data access management? Watch our step-by-step video guide on submitting an access request:

Secoda's Access Request feature centralizes data access management into a single system. It replaces manual processes with automated workflows, provides clear visibility into permissions, and helps teams maintain security standards while getting faster access to the data they need.