What does the concept of least privilege entail?

The concept of least privilege is a fundamental principle in security management that dictates that users should be granted only the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job functions. This approach minimizes the potential damage that could occur from accidental or malicious actions. By ensuring that users do not have unnecessary permissions, organizations can reduce the attack surface and limit the risk of data breaches or unauthorized access.

For instance, if an employee only needs to access specific files relevant to their role, they should be restricted to those files rather than having unrestricted access to all resources within the system. This not only helps in protecting sensitive information but also makes auditing and monitoring user activities more manageable, as actions can be tracked more effectively when permissions are controlled.

In contrast to this principle, granting users full access to all resources or allowing them to override security policies can lead to vulnerabilities, as it increases the chances of misuse or unintentional mistakes that can compromise system integrity and security. Providing access based on social status does not align with the fairness and practicality that least privilege stands for, as it does not consider the actual role requirements and the security risks involved.