What does the principle of least privilege entail?

The principle of least privilege is a fundamental security concept that dictates that users should be granted only the minimum level of access, permissions, and rights necessary to perform their job functions. This practice helps to minimize potential damage from accidents or malicious actions, as it limits the scope of what a user can do within a system.

By adhering to this principle, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information and system resources. For example, if an employee only needs access to specific data files to complete their tasks, then providing them with broader access rights could expose the organization to higher security risks, should that access be misused.

This approach is an essential part of effective access control within information security management, as it promotes both security and operational efficiency by ensuring users do not have unnecessary access that could be exploited.