Define the term "least privilege" in the context of access controls.

In the context of access controls, the principle of "least privilege" refers to the concept of providing individuals or systems with the minimum level of access or permissions needed to perform their job functions or tasks. The goal is to restrict access rights for users, processes, or systems to the bare minimum necessary to accomplish their duties, thereby minimizing potential security risks and limiting the potential impact of security breaches.

1. Access Rights and Permissions:
   • Users or processes are assigned specific access rights and permissions based on their roles and responsibilities.
   • Access rights include read, write, execute, delete, modify, and other actions that can be performed on resources such as files, databases, or systems.
2. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):
   • Implementing the principle of least privilege often involves using Role-Based Access Control.
   • In RBAC, access permissions are tied to specific roles, and users are assigned to these roles based on their job functions.
   • This reduces the complexity of managing individual user permissions and ensures consistency in access control.
3. Need-to-Know Basis:
   • Users are given access only to the information or resources that are necessary for the performance of their job tasks.
   • This helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data and limits the potential damage that can be caused if an account is compromised.
4. Privilege Escalation Mitigation:
   • Systems should be configured to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation.
   • This involves restricting users from acquiring additional privileges beyond what is required for their normal activities.
5. Regular Auditing and Monitoring:
   • Regularly audit and monitor user activities to ensure that access rights are aligned with the principle of least privilege.
   • Detect and respond to any deviations from established access control policies.
6. Default Deny Principle:
   • Adopting a "default deny" approach means that access is denied by default, and users or systems must explicitly be granted access to resources.
   • This ensures that access is carefully considered and granted only when necessary.
7. Dynamic Privilege Management:
   • Some systems implement dynamic privilege management, allowing permissions to be adjusted in real-time based on changing circumstances or user needs.