What does the "principle of least privilege" entail?

The principle of least privilege is fundamentally about restricting user access rights to the bare minimum permissions they need to perform their job functions effectively. This approach minimizes the potential for both unintentional and malicious damage that can occur from excessive access rights.

When users are granted only the permissions necessary to complete their tasks, the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information or critical systems is significantly reduced. This principle also helps in limiting the impact of potential security breaches; if an account is compromised, the attacker would have restricted access rather than broad permissions, reducing the damage they could cause.

By adhering to this principle, organizations enhance their security posture, ensuring that users cannot access data or systems that are not relevant to their roles. This leads to a more controlled environment where accountability and traceability are improved, as access can be tightly monitored and managed.