Explain the concept of “least privilege” access control.

The concept of “least privilege” access control revolves around granting users the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job functions. This principle is designed to reduce the risk of accidental or malicious data breaches by limiting users' ability to access sensitive information or perform potentially harmful actions beyond their specific duties.

By applying least privilege, organizations can significantly enhance their security posture. This means that if a user account is compromised, the attacker would have access only to limited resources rather than the entire system or sensitive data. Moreover, implementing least privilege helps in adhering to regulatory requirements and ensures that users do not have access to information that is unnecessary for their work.

Thus, the principle of least privilege not only minimizes security risks associated with excessive access but also aligns with the notion of accountability, making it easier to trace actions back to individuals since they have restricted capabilities.