What is Least Privilege?

Least privilege is a principle in access management that states that users should be granted only the minimum level of access required to perform their job functions or tasks. In other words, users should have access only to the resources and data that are necessary to perform their duties, and no more.

The principle of least privilege is based on the idea that limiting user access to resources reduces the risk of accidental or intentional misuse or exposure of sensitive data. By granting users access only to the resources and data they need, organizations can limit the impact of security incidents and data breaches, and reduce the likelihood of data loss or theft.

Enforcing least privilege can be challenging, particularly in large organizations with complex access requirements. However, it is an important security practice that can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches and other security incidents. Organizations can use access management software like Opal to help implement and enforce least privilege access policies.

One of the best ways to implement least privilege is just-in-time access. Our co-CEO, Stephen Cobbe, explores this topic further by writing a blog to discuss how to balance birthright access and just-in-time access. To see even more examples, Opal applies the principle of least privilege to complex systems such as AWS or processes such as on-call schedules.

About Opal:

Opal is the unified identity platform for modern enterprises. Opal aggregates identity and access data to provide visibility and defense-in-depth infrastructure for mission-critical systems. With the product, enterprises can discover anomalous identity risks and remediate them in minutes. The world's best companies trust Opal to govern and adapt sensitive access.

Want to see it yourself? Contact sales@opal.dev or book a meeting here for a personalized demo.