Just-In-Time (JIT) Role Provisioning in ServiceNow — A Smarter Alternative to Permanent Access

[Its_Azar]

What Is JIT Role Provisioning?

JIT role provisioning allows a role to be assigned only at the moment it is needed, usually following an approval or a certain condition to be met. The access lasts for a defined duration and expires automatically.

A few real-world examples that I came across:

• Granting temporary admin access for a production fix

• Providing short-term access to the Change module for a maintenance window

• Allowing auditors to review records for a specific period

• Giving contractors access that automatically ends when the engagement is over

• or revoking access when a user performed a certain action on task/survey/assessment etc.

Instead of waiting for someone to manually remove access, the platform handles it on its own.

 

 The Problem with Permanent Roles

Permanent role assignments may seem convenient, but they introduce several risks over time:

• Users retain access even after their work is complete

• Difficulties proving least-privilege compliance during audits

• Increased exposure to accidental or incorrect changes

• Larger attack surface if an account is compromised

• More users with sensitive roles like admin, itil_admin, or security_admin

As teams evolve, tracking who should still have access becomes almost impossible.

JIT prevents this from becoming a long-term problem.

 

How JIT Works in ServiceNow

JIT doesn’t require a new plugin — it can be implemented using standard platform features. The approach generally includes three steps:

1. Request and Approval

Users request temporary access through:

• A catalog item

• Flow Designer request and approval (Most used and my fav)

• A workspace action

This keeps access controlled and auditable from the start.

 

2. Assign the Role After Approval

Once approved, a flow can:

• Add the role using the Add User Role action

• Store the expiration date in a custom field

• Notify the requester and the approver

Since this step uses Flow Designer, no scripting is required unless additional logic is needed.

 

3. Automatically Remove the Role

This is the key difference between temporary and permanent access.

Removal can be automated using:

• A scheduled Flow Designer execution

• A Scheduled Script checking for expired roles

• A Business Rule on the custom expiration field

When the time is up, the platform:

• Removes the role

• Logs the change

• Sends a confirmation notification

No reminders. No manual cleanup.

 

When Should You Use JIT?

JIT access is ideal for situations where roles are not required permanently, such as:

• Emergency or break-glass access

• Temporary platform administration

• Project-based access for short-term teams

• Vendor and contractor onboarding

• Sensitive areas like HR, Security Operations, or Discovery

In general, if a user only needs access occasionally, JIT is a perfect fit.

Final Thoughts

Just-In-Time role provisioning is a simple but powerful shift in how access is handled in ServiceNow. Instead of assigning roles indefinitely and hoping someone remembers to remove them, the platform automates both the granting and revoking of access.

Many organizations begin with temporary admin access and gradually extend the approach across modules. Once implemented, teams benefit from improved security, fewer exceptions during audits, and cleaner user access over time.

If you’re looking to modernize access governance in ServiceNow, JIT role provisioning is an excellent place to start.