Which principle ensures that users can only access the information necessary for their roles?

The principle of least privilege is fundamental in information security and ensures that users are granted the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job functions. This means that individuals only have permission to access the information and resources they need for their specific roles, thereby reducing the risk of accidental or malicious misuse of sensitive data.

By limiting access, organizations can prevent unauthorized actions and protect sensitive information from being exposed to users who do not require it for their tasks. This principle is a key strategy in minimizing potential security breaches and ensuring that any potential damage is contained. For example, if an employee only needs access to certain files, they should not have access to any additional data that could be at risk of exploitation.

In contrast, the "need to know" principle focuses on restricting access to data based on whether that access is essential for a user’s operational duties, but it is narrower than the least privilege approach. Separation of duties aims to prevent fraud and error by ensuring that no single individual has control over all aspects of a critical process, while defense in depth involves utilizing multiple layers of security controls. Each of these concepts supports a comprehensive security strategy, but the least privilege specifically addresses the allocation of access rights to users.