Least Privilege Principle
The least privilege principle is a security concept that ensures users, applications, and systems are granted only the minimal access necessary to perform their tasks. This approach reduces the risk of unauthorized actions and limits the potential impact of security incidents. By restricting permissions and implementing role-based access control or attribute-based access control, the least privilege principle helps to mitigate vulnerabilities in both applications and infrastructure. It is a foundational element of access management and access control policies, ensuring that sensitive data and systems are protected from accidental or malicious misuse.
In DevSecOps practices, the least privilege principle is enforced through automation and policy enforcement tools to maintain consistency across environments. Access control mechanisms, such as authentication and authorization, align with this principle to verify identities and manage permissions effectively. The least privilege principle also integrates with secure configuration and audit trails to ensure compliance with security requirements and regulatory standards. By adopting this principle, organizations can reduce the attack surface, enhance operational security, and maintain better control over their resources in dynamic and complex environments.