What does the principle of least privilege entail?

The principle of least privilege is a fundamental security concept that promotes the idea that users should be granted the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job functions effectively. This approach helps to minimize potential security risks by limiting users' access to sensitive information and resources that are not directly relevant to their roles. By ensuring that users only have access to what they need, organizations can reduce the attack surface, making it more difficult for malicious actors to exploit vulnerabilities or gain unauthorized access to critical assets. This principle supports both operational efficiency and security compliance, contributing to an overall better security posture within the organization.

The other options suggest either an overly restrictive access model, unlimited access regardless of need, or a focus on frequent changes rather than appropriate access levels, which would not align with the core tenets of the principle of least privilege.