What does the principle of least privilege entail?

The principle of least privilege is a fundamental concept in security that states that users should be granted the minimum levels of access necessary to perform their job functions. This principle aims to limit potential damage in the event of a security breach, reduce the attack surface for malicious actors, and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

By ensuring that users have only the bare minimum permissions required for their roles, organizations can enhance their security posture. This minimizes the risk of accidental or intentional misuse of information and resources, safeguarding against data breaches and maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems.

The other options do not align with the principle of least privilege: unrestricted access to resources would create significant security risks; data accessibility for all employees can lead to information exposure and breaches; and requiring multiple verifications for privileged accounts, while important, is a separate security measure related to authentication rather than a direct application of the least privilege principle.