definition of terms

Least privilege, also known as the principle of least privilege (PoLP), is a key security principle in identity and access management (IAM). It states that users, systems, applications, or devices should only be granted the minimum access rights they need to perform their tasks.

Why is the least privilege principle necessary?

The principle serves to reduce IT risks and the attack surface within organizations. It is particularly relevant in the context of:

• Cybersecurity: Many attacks target privileged accounts. If these accounts have unnecessarily extensive permissions, attackers can more easily cause damage or move laterally within the network.
• Malware defense: Enforcing least privilege on endpoints prevents malware from exploiting administrative rights to spread.
• Compliance & Audits: Security standards such as ISO 27001, NIS2, or the BSI IT-Grundschutz Compendium require permissions to be limited to the necessary extent.
• Product ivity& control: Modern IAM solutions enable just-in-time access, i.e., temporary extension of rights without permanently assigning admin access.

Advantages of the least privilege principle

• Reduction of risks associated with phishing, malware, or account compromise
• Minimization of unintended system changes by users with excessive privileges
• Better auditability and traceability of accesses
• Support for compliance requirements (e.g., NIS2, ISO 27001, GDPR)

 

practical example

An IT administrator uses a normal user account for daily tasks. Only when administrative tasks are required (e.g., creating new users) does a temporary role change with extended rights take place, for example, via a privileged access management (PAM) system. Afterward, the increased access is automatically revoked.

Conclusion

Least privileged access control is a fundamental security principle for modern IT architectures. It ensures that only what is necessary is permitted, thereby significantly reducing the impact of misconfigurations, attacks, and internal risks.