Least privilege access, or the principle of least privilege, is a security concept that limits users’ access rights to only what is needed for their jobs. By granting users only the privileges they need for their specific job capacities, you limit risks from insider threats or accidents caused by human error.
It is considered a cybersecurity best practice because it restricts who can access what information. In addition, least privilege access contributes to developing a robust zero-trust security model.
How does least privilege access work?
The principle grants users permission to read, write, or execute only the files and resources they need to do their jobs effectively. For example, a marketing copywriter should only have access to materials to create their content assets and not to IT protocols.
Depending on the user’s needs, time-limited privileges can also be enabled. As their names suggest, these enable users to have access to critical data for a pre-determined time to perform a specific task. In the above example, the marketing copywriter would now be able to access information from another department—perhaps HR—for an article they are writing. After a set period, they can no longer access that information.
As you can see, least privilege access prevents having too many overprivileged people in your IT network, which could increase its chance of data breaches and malware.
MSPs, MSSPs, and IT enterprises should adopt this security policy to ensure that no employee has access to critical information they don’t need. Similarly, the number of privileged users should be kept at a minimum.
The CIA triad
Least privilege access contributes to basic information security principles, namely the CIA triad: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. By implementing least privilege access, organizations can more effectively achieve this goal. To summarize:
- Confidentiality prevents unauthorized access to organizational data.
- Integrity ensures that data is complete, accurate, and untampered.
- Availability dictates that information is available only to authorized people.
Why is least privilege access important?
Least privilege access reduces your organization’s attack surface by limiting administrator access to essential information. In the event of a cyberattack, compromised devices can’t access elevated privileged information, limiting the reach of threat actors.
The principle is also integral to zero-trust network access (ZTNA), which follows a zero-trust policy and access control to IT resources. In ZTNA, least privilege access enables IT professionals to determine which applications and application functions specific users can access.
What is a superuser?
A superuser is someone with unlimited privileges. They can fully read, write, and execute authority to various files across an IT network. It is the highest privilege level and is only given to the most trusted individuals. A superuser account is also known as an administrator account.
What is privilege creep?
Privilege creep occurs when users accumulate unnecessary access rights over time, often due to temporary permissions that are not revoked. This often happens when users are given temporary access to systems for specific tasks but then retain those privileges even after the need for them has passed. For example, promoted employees may still have access to systems they used in their previous roles, even if they no longer need them. This accumulation of unnecessary access rights can create serious cybersecurity risks, increasing the likelihood of unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Benefits of least privilege access
- Prevents the spread of malware. Compromised endpoints will not be able to install malware into other devices.
- Decreases risk of cyberattacks. The security principle reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your IT network.
- Improves user productivity. Users can complete their tasks with the necessary information without going through unnecessary data.
- Improves compliance. Least privilege access contributes to compliance with various regulations, such as the GDPR and HIPAA.
The disadvantage of least privilege access is that minimum permissions must be consistent with users’ roles and responsibilities. This may be challenging for larger organizations, where users may need access to multiple files simultaneously.
Least privilege access best practices
- Set this principle as the default. Least privilege access is fundamental to cybersecurity, so it is wise to adopt this mindset for all your security procedures.
- Enforce related security principles. From patch management to multi-factor authentication, adopt a holistic approach to security to reduce your risk of ransomware.
- Limit the number of privileged accounts. Prevent having “too many cooks in the kitchen” by limiting IT administrators to the lowest number necessary.
- Disable unnecessary components. Disable or remove unnecessary services often enabled by default when configuring new systems or applications.
- Review and reevaluate accounts and privileges. Regularly review accounts to prevent privilege creep.
- Use time-limited privileges. This approach helps reduce the potential exposure to threats by limiting the time when elevated privileges are active.
NinjaOne follows least privilege access in its endpoint security
NinjaOne’s #1 RMM system has built-in endpoint security tools that give you complete control over end-user devices. These tools allow you to manage applications, remotely edit registries, deploy scripts, and mass configure devices. Trusted by 17,000+ clients worldwide, NinjaOne has a proven track record of improving operational efficiency and reducing IT costs from day one.
If you’re ready, request a free quote, sign up for a 14-day free trial, or watch a demo.
