What security principle focuses on limiting a user’s access to only what is necessary to perform their job?

The principle of least privilege is fundamental in security practices, aiming to minimize the access rights for users to only those necessary for them to fulfill their specific job functions. This approach reduces the risk of accidental or malicious misuse of permissions and helps protect sensitive information by ensuring that users cannot access data or systems they do not need for their work. By implementing least privilege, organizations limit the potential attack surface, making it more difficult for unauthorized users to exploit vulnerabilities within systems.

In a workplace environment, applying this principle would mean that if an employee requires access to a particular database to perform their duties, they would be granted permissions only for that database and not for any other systems or data that they don't need. This not only strengthens overall security but also aids in compliance with various regulations that may govern data protection and privacy, as it ensures that individuals only handle data pertinent to their roles.