The principle of least privilege (PoLP) is a concept in cybersecurity that says users should have access only to the specific resources, data, and applications they need to do their jobs.
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The principle of least privilege evolved as part of the zero-trust network access (ZTNA) 2.0 framework in response to the growth of remote, hybrid, and cloud work environments.
The goal of PoLP is to reduce the damage caused by hacks and intentional or accidental data leaks in IT systems, data, and applications. It does this by strictly limiting all user access to critical resources and sensitive data. That includes implementing practices and procedures like:
- Restricting user access permissions (or “privileges”) to the absolute minimum required for any task
- Regularly reviewing access and authorization privileges on a continuous and ongoing basis to reduce, adjust, or revoke permissions that are no longer needed
- Preventing any single employee from having access to too many systems by segregating responsibilities and assigning different duties to separate roles
Why is the principle of least privilege important?
Data leaks cost businesses billions of dollars a year in lost productivity, recovery costs, and reputational harm. A significant percentage of those leaks occur when an authorized user’s account is hacked into or their credentials are stolen by cybercriminals.
By limiting the data, systems, and resources each individual user can access on a need-to-know basis, the principle of least privilege enables organizations to:
- Minimize their attack surface
- Strengthen their overall security posture
- Mitigate security risks by reducing opportunities for hacks and human error
- Contain data leaks and breaches by reducing the damage hackers can do if they gain unauthorized access
- Protect IT networks and applications from a wide range of cyber threats and cyberattacks, including malware and ransomware, insider threats, accidental and malicious data breaches, and data theft
Because it enhances the ability of organizations to secure sensitive or confidential information, PoLP also helps businesses stay complaint with government and industry data privacy regulations. These include the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
How does the principle of least privilege integrate with zero trust architecture (ZTA)?
The principle of least privilege is a foundational part of zero trust architecture (ZTA). The core idea behind zero trust architecture is summed up by the mantra, “Never trust, always verify.” In the ZTA model, every access request is assumed to be malicious until proven otherwise, regardless of whether it comes from inside or outside an organization.
PoLP integrates with ZTA by restricting access permissions for employees, contractors, and other users. Because PoLP permissions are constantly being reviewed and adjusted, the principle of least privilege also helps enforce zero trust rules and protect systems and data on a dynamic basis.
Both ZTA and PoLP rely on robust identity and access management (IAM) solutions to authenticate, validate, and authorize access requests and keep organizations safe from bad actors and accidental errors.
What are the main challenges in applying the principle of least privilege?
As hybrid work, remote work, and the use of cloud services continue to expand, businesses face several key challenges in applying the principle of least privilege, including:
- Managing increasingly varied and complex IT systems, security needs, and work environments
- Balancing security requirements with budget constraints, ease-of-use demands, and user productivity
- Ensuring consistent enforcement of access privileges across a variety of different systems, applications, and job positions
- Dealing with user resistance and creating a corporate culture where security is seen as a necessity rather than an inconvenience
Examples of best practices for implementing the principle of least privilege
Organizations should follow several best practices to overcome PoLP implementation challenges and safeguard IT systems and data. These include:
- Conducting an inventory of existing access systems and permissions to analyze which ones users can currently access and why
- Flagging accounts that have more privileges than they need to do what the job requires
- Setting new users to the lowest privilege level by default and adding privileges only when strictly required
- Adopting role-based access controls (RBAC) to segregate privileges by role and assign access according to job requirements
- Employing automated access management tools like identity and access management (IAM) , security information and event management (SIEM) , and privileged access management (PAM) to safeguard systems and data without overwhelming IT or security teams
- Carrying out regular and ongoing audits of all access permissions to identify privileges that are no longer necessary, and reduce access levels wherever possible
Where can I get help with the principle of least privilege?
To help organizations strengthen their security posture, Trend Vision One™ provides integrated capabilities that support zero trust principles, including the principle of least privilege. By unifying risk visibility, access control, and threat detection across your environment, Trend Vision One enables teams to continuously evaluate and enforce access policies.
Joe Lee
Vice President of Product Management
Joe Lee is Vice President of Product Management at Trend Micro, where he leads global strategy and product development for enterprise email and network security solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does the principle of least privilege mean?
The principle of least privilege is a cybersecurity concept that gives users access only to the data and systems they need to do their work.
What is privilege creep and how can it be avoided?
Privilege creep occurs when an employee switches jobs but keeps access privileges they no longer need. Privilege creep can be avoided by regularly reviewing permissions.
What is an example of the principle of least privilege?
An example of the principle of least privilege would be allowing an employee in marketing to access CRM software but not private customer information.
What is a best practice for the principle of least privilege?
An example of a best practice for the principle of least privilege would be setting all new employees to the lowest access permissions by default.
What is the difference between zero trust and principle of least privilege?
Zero trust controls access to an organization’s systems or data. The principle of least privilege focuses on what users can do with that access.
What is zero trust in simple words?
Zero trust is a cybersecurity approach that focuses on verifying every access request to an organization’s systems or data, no matter where it comes from.
How does the principle of least privilege reduce security risks?
The principle of least privilege reduces security risks by limiting the systems and data both authorized users and cybercriminals can access.
How can organizations enforce least privilege in dynamic environments like cloud-native apps or containers?
The principle of least privilege can be enforced in dynamic environments by adopting policies like limiting access based on job role instead of user identity.
How often should user permissions be reviewed or updated?
For maximum security, user permissions should be reviewed and updated on a regular and continuous basis.
How can PoLP be integrated into a DevSecOps workflow?
The principle of least privilege (PoLP) can be integrated into DevSecOps by implementing practices like role-based access controls (RBAC), just-in-time (JIT) access, and automated permissions.