An embodiment of the invention is associated with a system having a role for controlling user access, the role comprising users, permissions, and a set of rules. The embodiment records each of a succession of access events in an access log, each event comprising an instance of the system being accessed by a user. The embodiment further analyzes recorded access events in the access log at selected time intervals, to detect a condition or violation of rules of the set of rules. Responsive to detecting a condition or violation, the embodiment selectively determines whether any change to the users or permissions of a specified role is needed. Each needed change is then implemented.