The Principle of Least Privilege (POLP) is a computer security concept that involves granting minimum access permissions to enterprise users to perform their job functions. POLP is an essential step toward protecting privileged accounts from unauthorized access.
The least privilege concept is not just applicable to human users. It also limits non-human users’ access permissions, such as applications and systems that leverage privileges to perform specific tasks.
An example of the POLP concept can be an administrator in an enterprise, possesses admin-level privileges, including the ability to configure and manage systems, install software, and modify system settings. At the same time, a developer can only access the development environments, source code repositories and testing environments.
Before implementing RBAC, you must start by thoroughly evaluating your company’s operational requirements. The analysis aims to ascertain which job roles contribute to maintaining well-established corporate procedures and technology. In addition to auditing and other legal obligations, the RBAC policy should consider best practices
The findings from the requirements analysis should inform how the company defines roles, with an eye on the ease with which users can do their jobs. When designing roles, it is crucial to avoid common traps like too much flexibility, too many exceptions, and overlap.
The next step in implementing RBAC to manage access rights and permissions is assigning roles to employees after compiling a list of systems and describing how the workforce uses them.
Review roles, personnel, and levels of access periodically. For instance, if you find that one position has excessive privileges, you may modify the role and the privileges of all users assigned to it.
Implementing the Principle of Least Privilege (POLP) involves systematically managing user, system, and process access permissions. Here are some basic steps to employ the POLP strategy effectively:
What is Privilege Creep?
The gradual accumulation of access privileges beyond a user’s access rights is known as privilege creep. It occurs when a user’s job description updates, but the old privileges are not revoked, or when a user’s temporary privileges are not revoked.
Often, privilege creep also occurs when IT teams provide unrestricted access privileges to all users in the organization. This unnecessary proliferation of user privileges can result in data loss and theft due to human error or targeted cyber-attacks.
What is Privilege Bracketing?
Privilege bracketing involves limiting the scope or duration of elevated privileges granted to users or processes.
In privilege bracketing, privileges are temporarily elevated or expanded to allow users or processes to perform specific tasks or operations that require higher permissions. However, these privileges are strictly limited to the necessary resources and time to complete the job.
Once the required task is finished or the time limit expires, the elevated privileges are immediately revoked, reducing the window of opportunity for potential attackers. Privilege bracketing aims to mitigate the risks associated with long-term or continuous elevated privileges.
It is important to note that privilege bracketing is just one aspect of a robust security strategy. It should be combined with other security measures, such as strong authentication, access controls, monitoring, and vulnerability management, to provide a robust defence against cyber threats.
Sectona provides purpose-built privileged access management components that help you control access permissions, delegate privileged access, authenticate users, secure credentials, and govern privileges.
Gain comprehensive security visibility by implementing the least privileges with Sectona. Learn more about us or get in touch with us today.