Description: The principle of least privilege is a fundamental concept in cybersecurity that states that users and processes should be granted only the permissions necessary to perform their job functions. This approach limits exposure to security risks by reducing the likelihood that a malicious user or malware can access critical system resources. By implementing this principle, the potential damage in case an account is compromised is minimized. Additionally, least privilege promotes more efficient permission management, facilitating auditing and access control. In corporate environments, this principle translates into the creation of specific roles with permissions tailored to the needs of each position, thus preventing users from accessing sensitive information that is not relevant to their work. In summary, least privilege is a key strategy for strengthening cybersecurity, protecting both data and the technological infrastructure of an organization.
History: The concept of least privilege dates back to the early days of computing and system security, being formalized in the 1970s. One of the most significant milestones was the work of Jerome Saltzer and Michael Schroeder, who published a paper titled ‘The Protection of Information in Computer Systems’ in 1975, where they established security design principles, including least privilege. Since then, this principle has evolved and been integrated into various cybersecurity policies and modern operating systems.
Uses: Least privilege is widely used in the management of operating systems, networks, and applications. In corporate environments, it is applied to manage user permissions, ensuring they only have access to the information and resources necessary for their work. It is also used in the configuration of servers and databases, where user account privileges are limited to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, it is an essential component in the implementation of security policies and regulatory compliance.
Examples: A practical example of least privilege is the configuration of user accounts in a computing environment. For instance, an employee in the human resources department may have access to the employee database but not to the financial database. Another case is the use of service accounts in applications, where accounts are created with specific permissions to perform scheduled tasks, preventing these accounts from accessing unnecessary resources. In development environments, developers may have limited access to production environments to prevent unauthorized changes.
