What is the principle of least privilege?

The principle of least privilege is a fundamental concept in security management that stipulates that users should only be granted the minimum level of access necessary to perform their specific job functions. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information or systems and minimizes the potential damage from accidents or malicious actions.

By adhering to this principle, organizations can better safeguard their data and systems. It limits the scope of exposure during an incident; for example, if an account is compromised, the potential damage is restricted because the intruder only has access to the minimal privileges assigned to that user.

Implementing the principle of least privilege also simplifies the management of user rights and facilitates auditing processes, as it becomes clearer who has access to what information, helping organizations ensure compliance with various regulations and security standards.

In contrast, unlimited access can expose an organization to significant vulnerabilities, while sharing credentials can lead to accountability issues and a lack of traceability. Similarly, training users to access all levels of data does not align with the need for restrictions based on necessity and could result in potential security breaches.