Most Michigan business owners believe cybersecurity failures start with hackers.

In practice, many breaches, audit issues, and insurance problems start with something far more ordinary.

Access that was never reviewed.

Not because anyone was careless.
Not because IT dropped the ball.
But because access quietly accumulates as firms grow, roles change, and people move on.

For professional service firms that handle sensitive client data, this is one of the most overlooked risks hiding in plain sight.

What Is “Unreviewed Access”?

Unreviewed access is when employees, contractors, or vendors retain permissions to systems or data they no longer need.

This commonly includes:

• Employees who changed roles but kept old permissions

• Former employees whose accounts were never fully removed

• Temporary access granted “just in case” that became permanent

• Shared logins used for convenience

• Third-party tools or integrations that were never revisited

Access almost always expands over time.
Very few firms actively reduce it.

That gap between who should have access and who actually does is where risk lives.

Why Unreviewed Access Is a Business Risk

Access management is often treated as a technical detail.

It is not.

Unreviewed access directly affects:

• Client confidentiality

• Regulatory and compliance exposure

• Cyber insurance eligibility and claims

• Audit outcomes

• Your firm’s reputation

When something goes wrong, the question is rarely:
“Did you intend for this person to have access?”

The question is:
“Why was the access still in place?”

Intent does not protect you during an audit, an insurance review, or a client dispute. Proof does.

Why This Risk Shows Up During Audits and Insurance Renewals

Auditors and cyber insurance carriers increasingly focus on who can access what inside your firm.

Common questions include:

• Who has access to sensitive client or patient data?

• How often is access reviewed?

• What happens when someone changes roles or leaves?

• Can you demonstrate least-privilege access?

Many firms answer confidently until they are asked to show documentation.

This is where well-run businesses get caught off guard. Not because they are unsafe, but because access decisions were never formally reviewed or recorded.

The Hidden Cost of “Everyone Needs Access”

Broad access feels efficient.

It avoids friction.
It keeps people productive.
It reduces complaints.

But it also:

• Increases the impact of simple mistakes

• Expands the scope of breaches

• Makes investigations harder

• Weakens your position with insurers and clients

Excess access does not improve productivity.
It increases the cost of problems when they occur.

Why Good Firms Miss This

Unreviewed access persists because it lives in the cracks.

It is not clearly owned by:

• Leadership

• HR

• IT support

So it becomes everyone’s responsibility and no one’s job.

Most firms review passwords occasionally.
Very few conduct regular, documented access reviews tied to current roles and risk.

What “Good” Looks Like for SMBs

You do not need enterprise-level complexity.

A Smarter Business approach includes:

• Clearly defined roles

• Access aligned to current responsibilities

• Scheduled access reviews

• Documented decisions

The goal is not less access.
The goal is intentional access you can explain and defend.

A Question Every Business Owner Should Ask

If an auditor, insurer, or major client asked today:

“Who has access to your most sensitive systems and why?”

Could you answer clearly and confidently?

If the answer is “probably” or “I think so,” the risk already exists.

Not as a crisis.
As a gap.

Why This Risk Is Growing in 2026

Modern firms grant access faster than ever:

• Cloud platforms

• AI tools

• Remote work

• Vendor integrations

As systems multiply, access multiplies with them.

Firms that treat access as an ongoing business decision will reduce surprises. Firms that don’t will discover this risk at the worst possible moment.

Smarter Business Takeaway

Cybersecurity is not just about keeping the wrong people out.

It is about ensuring:

• The right people have the right access

• For the right reasons

• At the right time

• With proof to support it

That is how you protect client trust, insurance coverage, and long-term business value.

That is Smarter Business IT.

Frequently Asked Questions About User Access Risk

What is unreviewed user access?

Unreviewed user access refers to system permissions that remain active without regular review or justification, often after role changes, temporary projects, or employee departures.

Why is user access a cybersecurity risk?

Because unnecessary access increases the likelihood and impact of mistakes, breaches, and unauthorized data exposure.

How does access control affect cyber insurance?

Insurers increasingly require proof that access is reviewed and limited. Poor access controls can lead to higher premiums, exclusions, or denied claims.

What is least privilege for small businesses?

Least privilege means employees only have access to the systems and data they need to perform their current job responsibilities.

How often should access be reviewed?

Access should be reviewed when someone joins, changes roles, or leaves, and on a regular cadence such as quarterly or semi-annually.

Why do audits fail due to access issues?

Audits fail when firms cannot demonstrate who has access, why they have it, and how access decisions are reviewed and documented.

Want to know where your access risk stands today?
A structured access review will show you exactly who has access, where it makes sense, and where it doesn’t.

#SmarterBusiness #BigWaterTech #KeepITSimple