What does the principle of least privilege entail?

The principle of least privilege is a fundamental security concept that advocates for providing users with the minimal level of access rights required to perform their job functions. This principle is crucial for minimizing the potential for unauthorized access or misuse of sensitive information and resources. By limiting access rights, organizations can significantly reduce the attack surface and mitigate risks associated with potential internal threats or accidental data breaches.

When users are granted only the permissions necessary to perform their specific tasks, it becomes much harder for them or any malicious entity that gains access to their accounts to exploit privileges for harmful purposes. This practice not only enhances the overall security posture but also enforces accountability, as actions can be traced back to specific users who have limited roles.

The other options, while they may have relevance in certain contexts, do not encapsulate the essence of the principle of least privilege. Granting administrative access to all employees, for example, would broaden the attack surface and increase the potential for misuse, while restricting access to selected applications or automatically revoking access after hours, although potentially useful security measures, do not inherently address the necessity of minimal access based on job function.