What is the principle of least privilege?

The principle of least privilege is a fundamental security concept that ensures each user or process is granted the minimum levels of access—or permissions—necessary to perform their job functions. By adhering to this principle, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and potential damage caused by mistakes or malicious actions.

When users have only the access they need to perform their tasks, the exposure to vulnerabilities is minimized. For example, if an employee only needs to view certain files to do their job, they shouldn't be given permissions to edit or delete them. This restricted access helps in containing security incidents and limiting the attack surface that could be exploited by cyber threats.

In contrast, other approaches, such as giving all users full access, do not align with best security practices and can lead to various vulnerabilities. Providing users with no access to any resources would hinder their ability to perform their tasks effectively, which is impractical. Lastly, assuming users can always be trusted undermines security measures, as it does not account for potential insider threats or unintentional errors. Therefore, following the principle of least privilege is essential for safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining a secure environment.