What does the principle of "least privilege" entail?

The principle of "least privilege" entails that users or programs should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their tasks. This approach helps to minimize the potential for accidental or malicious misuse of access rights, thus enhancing security within an organization.

By ensuring that individuals have only the permissions they need for their specific roles, the attack surface is reduced; if an account is compromised, the potential damage is limited because the attacker would only have access to a restricted range of resources. This principle is essential in mitigating risks and protecting sensitive information and systems.

The focus is on controlling permissions tightly and ensuring that any elevation of access rights is temporary and well-justified, aligning with security best practices and compliance requirements.