Principle of Least Privilege

Also known as "least user privilege," this is a security principle implemented into access policy which states that a user or system process should only have the minimum level of access necessary to perform its intended functions. The idea behind least privilege is to reduce the risk of security breaches by limiting the damage that can be done by an attacker or by a malicious or malfunctioning program.

In the context of user accounts, least privilege means that each user should have only the minimum set of permissions and privileges necessary to perform their job responsibilities and nothing more. This can include restrictions on access to sensitive data, the ability to install software, or the ability to modify system configurations.

For example, a user with limited privileges would not be able to make changes to the operating system or install malicious software, even if their account was compromised. Similarly, a user with limited access to sensitive data would not be able to steal or leak that data, even if their account was compromised.

In practice, implementing least privilege can be challenging, as it requires careful consideration of the permissions and privileges required by each user and each system process. However, by using tools such as role-based access control, organizations can effectively implement least privilege and improve the security of their IT systems.