What does the principle of least privilege entail?

The principle of least privilege is a fundamental concept in cybersecurity that promotes the idea that users should only be granted the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job functions. This means that each user receives permissions tailored specifically to their role within an organization, limiting their ability to access sensitive information or systems that are not directly related to their responsibilities. By adhering to this practice, organizations can mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches while ensuring that the operational efficiency of the organization is maintained.

On the other hand, the first option—granting all users access to all data—creates unnecessary risks as it exposes sensitive information to individuals who do not require it, increasing the likelihood of data misuse or accidental mismanagement. Expanding access rights regularly, which is another option, can also lead to potential security flaws as it may provide unnecessary permissions over time, deviating from the ideal of minimized access. Lastly, restricting all user connections is overly prohibitive and impractical, as it can hinder productivity and necessary collaboration within the organization. Thus, providing users with only the necessary access aligns perfectly with the objective of maintaining security while supporting functional roles.