What does the "principle of least privilege" refer to in cyber security?

The principle of least privilege is a fundamental concept in cyber security that emphasizes the importance of granting individuals or systems the minimal level of access – or permissions – required to perform their specific tasks or job functions effectively. This principle helps to reduce the attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors. When users are given access only to the resources necessary for their roles, the risk of accidental or intentional misuse of sensitive information or critical systems is significantly decreased.

By limiting access, organizations can contain potential security breaches, as compromised user accounts will have restricted access to resources, thus minimizing the damage. For example, if an employee in a finance department only needs access to invoicing software, they should not have privileges to other unrelated systems, such as HR databases or company-wide administrative tools.

This principle contrasts with granting broad access, which can lead to vulnerabilities, as it opens up various paths through which attackers might gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or systems. Therefore, adhering to the principle of least privilege is vital for maintaining a secure information environment.