What is the principle of least privilege?

The principle of least privilege is a foundational concept in information security that asserts users should only be granted the minimum levels of access necessary to perform their specific job responsibilities. This approach minimizes potential risks and limit the exposure of sensitive data and systems by ensuring that individuals do not have access to more resources than are essential for them to accomplish their tasks.

By adhering to this principle, an organization can effectively reduce the potential attack surface for insider threats, accidental data exposure, or misuse of information. If every user has only the privileges necessary to perform their job, the chances of unauthorized actions—whether deliberate or accidental—are minimized.

For instance, if a financial analyst only needs access to certain financial records, granting them administrative access to the entire database would create unnecessary risk. Instead, limiting their access to only the necessary files protects the organization's sensitive data while still enabling the analyst to perform their work effectively.

This principle also facilitates accountability, as it becomes clearer who has access to what resources, making it easier to monitor activities and enforce security policies. Implementing the principle of least privilege is a best practice in security frameworks, particularly in environments as critical as those managed by the Department of Defense.