In security audits, what does the term “least privilege” refer to?

The concept of "least privilege" refers to the practice of granting users only the minimum levels of access—or permissions—necessary to perform their job functions. This principle is foundational in cybersecurity and seeks to limit potential exposure to unauthorized access or actions within a system. By minimizing user permissions to what is strictly necessary, organizations can reduce the risk of accidental or malicious data breaches, mitigate the impact of compromised accounts, and ensure better control over sensitive information.

For example, if an employee only needs access to certain files for their role, under the principle of least privilege, they would not be granted access to sensitive data or administrative functions that are unnecessary for their tasks. This not only protects the data but also helps maintain a secure environment by reducing the attack surface that adversaries might exploit.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of security. While enforcing robust password policies, isolating systems from networks, and using two-factor authentication are all vital security measures, they do not directly address the principle of limiting user access. Instead, these strategies can complement least privilege by adding additional layers of security. However, without implementing least privilege, even users with strong passwords or two-factor authentication may still pose a risk if their permissions are excessive.