What is the principle of least privilege?

The principle of least privilege is a fundamental security concept that dictates that users and systems should be granted the minimum level of access necessary to perform their legitimate functions. This ensures that individuals only have permission to access the resources and information that are essential for their role, thereby reducing the risk of accidental or malicious misuse of sensitive data and systems.

By enforcing this principle, organizations can minimize the attack surface and limit potential damage from both internal and external threats. When users have restricted access, the likelihood of an unauthorized action or data breach decreases, significantly enhancing the overall security posture of the environment.

In contrast, the other options present concepts that undermine security principles. Ensuring all users have full access can lead to vulnerabilities, as it does not control who has the ability to alter or access sensitive information. Increasing user access for convenience overlooks the necessity of secure access controls. Allowing users to override security protocols can lead to breaches and is contrary to the objective of maintaining strong defenses against potential threats. Thus, the principle of least privilege is integral to maintaining security and protecting organizational assets.