In the ever-evolving world of SAP, understanding the backbone of this powerful system is key to unlocking its full potential and ensuring the utmost security and efficiency in your operations. Today, we bring you an exclusive insight into the most critical SAP tables, curated and explained by my friend Alexander Sambill who is the co-author of the book Authorizations in SAP S/4HANA and SAP Fiori.
Why Knowing Your SAP Tables is Crucial
SAP is more than just an ERP system; it's a complex ecosystem that handles vast amounts of data, transactions, and business processes. At its core, this system is upheld by numerous tables, each serving specific functions that are integral to the seamless operation of the entire system. Understanding these tables is paramount, as they hold sensitive data, manage user access, and track changes across the system. Ensuring the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the data within these tables is not just about maintaining operational efficiency—it’s about safeguarding your business.
Access Scenarios for SAP Tables
In SAP S/4HANA, understanding various access scenarios is crucial to ensure the security and integrity of critical tables. There are four main ways through which tables can be accessed in the SAP standard:
- Access through SAP GUI Business Transactions or SAP Fiori Apps: Users interact with and modify tables as part of their daily work based on their job functions. For instance, a financial accountant may access and modify data in the ADCOCA table through transactions such as FB01, FS00, FD01, or FK01, as well as corresponding SAP Fiori apps. It is essential to restrict access through authorization profiles based on the ‘need-to-know’ principle to protect sensitive data.
- Access via Administration Transactions: Basis administrators have extensive permissions within the SAP system to maintain and manage it. Access to critical tables, such as T000, and associated administration transactions like SCC4, must be carefully managed and restricted.
- Access via Basis Transactions for Table Access: Direct access to tables is possible through transactions like SE16, SE16N, and SM30. These generic accesses are highly critical, and their assignment should be avoided in productive systems. Parameter transactions are a safer alternative, providing direct access to intended tables without presenting a selection screen for all tables.
- Access via Debugger: Debugging permissions enable access to any data in the SAP system and can bypass all access controls. It is imperative to restrict these permissions to emergency user concepts or, at most, provide display-only rights on a limited basis to prevent unauthorized access and modifications.
Understanding and restricting these access scenarios are fundamental steps in safeguarding critical SAP tables and ensuring the system’s security and reliability.
The Critical SAP Tables: A Guide by Alex
Alex, with years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of SAP, has identified and explained the top 20 critical SAP tables that every administrator needs to know:
- AGR_1251 – Authorization Data in Roles: A critical table in SAP’s authorization framework, safeguarding access rights and preventing unauthorized access.
- AGR_USERS – Role-User Assignment: Manages the intricate relationship between users and their assigned roles.
- CDHDR and CDPOS – Change Logs: Ensures transparency and traceability in change management, safeguarding the integrity of your data.
- DD02L – Table Definitions: A central repository for data object definitions, playing a crucial role in data management and consistency.
- E070 and E071 – Change Information in Transport Management: Manages transport requests, ensuring seamless changes and development processes.
- JCDS and JEST – Status and Change Tracking: Tracks the status and change history of objects, crucial for lifecycle management and change control.
- RFCDES – Remote Function Call Destinations: Holds sensitive connection information, demanding stringent access controls to prevent security vulnerabilities.
- T000 and T000T – System and Client Information: Contains foundational settings and configurations, impacting the system’s overall functionality.
- TADIR – Repository Object Catalog: A comprehensive catalog of ABAP repository objects, necessitating careful management to uphold system integrity.
- TBTCO – Job Status Overview Table: Provides an overview of batch jobs, requiring secure access to prevent operational disturbances.
- TFDIR – Function Modules: Manages ABAP functions, playing a vital role in maintaining function integrity and protecting business processes.
- TSP01 – Spool Requests: Manages output requests, ensuring secure and efficient handling of spool requests.
- TSTC – Transaction Basics Table: Holds data on transaction codes, playing a crucial role in user accessibility and business process efficiency.
- TRDIR – Program Directory: Manages ABAP repository objects encapsulated as transactions, key for maintaining data security.
- USR02 – User Data: Central to user management and security, storing critical user account information.
- USR40 – Unauthorized Passwords: Helps maintain password security, rejecting insecure passwords and upholding SAP system security.
...and more: As we delve deeper into the SAP system, numerous other tables play unique roles in ensuring the stability, security, and efficiency of your operations.
Connect and Learn More
Ready to deepen your understanding and strengthen your SAP security? Connect with
Alexander Sambill
or myself from
Xiting
and stay tuned for our upcoming webinar, where we’ll explore these critical tables in more detail, share expert insights, and answer all your burning questions.
