EPM systems contain some of the most sensitive data in the organization — financial plans, compensation models, M&A scenarios, board-level forecasts. Who can see this data, who can change it and whether every change is tracked matters enormously for both security and compliance.
This guide covers the security model in EPM platforms — role-based access, dimensional security, SSO integration, audit trails, compliance requirements and best practices for governing access during planning cycles.
Why Security Matters in EPM
Financial planning data is inherently sensitive. Budget assumptions reveal strategic priorities. Compensation models contain individual salary data. Scenario plans may include restructuring, M&A targets or board-confidential projections. The wrong person seeing the wrong data at the wrong time can create legal, regulatory or competitive risk.
Beyond confidentiality, security also protects data integrity. Without proper access controls, users can accidentally overwrite actuals, modify locked periods or change assumptions in someone else's budget.
Layers of EPM Security
Authentication
Who is this user? Handled by SSO integration with identity providers (Azure AD, Okta, Google Workspace). Enables MFA enforcement and centralized credential management.
Role-based access (RBAC)
What can this user do? Roles define functional permissions — view, edit, submit, approve, administer. Budget contributors get different capabilities than analysts, controllers or administrators.
Dimensional security
What data can this user see? Restricts visibility by dimension member — entity, department, scenario. A regional controller sees only their entities. An HR partner sees only their division's compensation data.
Workflow security
When can this user act? Time-based and state-based controls that lock data after submission, prevent edits to closed periods and enforce approval chains.
Audit trail
What happened? Logs every data change, model modification and access event. Essential for SOX compliance, internal audit and troubleshooting.
Best Practices
•Use SSO — never maintain separate EPM credentials
•Design roles before assigning users — start with the permission model
•Apply least-privilege principle — give minimum access needed
•Review access quarterly — remove departed users, adjust for role changes
•Lock periods after close — prevent retrospective changes to actuals
•Test dimensional security with real users before go-live