What does the principle of least privilege entail?

The principle of least privilege entails granting users only the privileges necessary for their work. This concept is fundamental in information security, as it minimizes the risk of users accessing information or performing actions beyond what is needed for their job functions. By limiting user permissions to the minimum required, organizations can reduce the potential for accidental or intentional misuse of sensitive data and resources.

Implementing the least privilege principle helps in managing and mitigating security risks by making it harder for malicious actors or compromised accounts to cause significant harm. Under this approach, if a user's account is compromised or misused, the damage is contained because the attacker only has access to a limited scope of resources.

This principle is particularly important in regulatory compliance and aligns with many security frameworks, ensuring that users' access rights are carefully reviewed and adjusted according to their roles. By ensuring that individuals have no more access than necessary, organizations strengthen their overall security posture.