What is the principle of least privilege?

The principle of least privilege is a fundamental concept in cybersecurity that aims to minimize access rights for users to the bare minimum necessary to perform their job functions. This practice helps to reduce the surface area for potential attacks and limits the impact of any potential security breaches. By allowing users to access only the data necessary for their roles, organizations can effectively decrease the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information and reduce the likelihood of accidental changes or data loss.

For instance, if a user in the finance department only needs access to financial records and not to sensitive HR data, applying the principle of least privilege ensures that they only receive permissions relevant to their tasks. This method not only enhances security but also aids in regulatory compliance, as it aligns with frameworks that require strict data access controls.

In contrast, granting all users full access to all information would significantly increase the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access. Similarly, providing read-only access to external resources doesn't align with the principle, as it doesn't address the need for role-specific access control. Finally, sharing administrative accounts among multiple users can lead to accountability issues and could allow multiple individuals to manipulate access controls, which is contrary to the concept of minimal necessary access rights.