Least privileged access is a cybersecurity best practice that limits the level of access that users or processes have to data or systems to only what is necessary to perform their job functions. This principle is also known as the principle of least privilege (POLP).
The idea behind least privileged access is to reduce the potential damage that can be caused by a cyber attack, insider threat, or human error. By limiting access to only what is necessary, organizations can reduce the attack surface and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data or systems.
For example, if a user only needs to view data but not modify it, their access should be limited to read-only privileges. If a user needs to modify data, their access should be limited to only the data they need to modify, and they should not have access to other data or systems.
Least privileged access can be enforced through a variety of methods, including role-based access control (RBAC), attribute-based access control (ABAC), and mandatory access control (MAC). These methods use policies and rules to determine what users or processes are allowed to access and what actions they are allowed to perform.
The principle of least privilege is an important cybersecurity best practice that can help organizations reduce the risk of cyberattacks and protect sensitive data and systems.
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