Which security principle describes giving users the minimum level of access necessary?

The principle of Least Privilege involves granting users only the access rights they need to perform their job functions and no more. This approach minimizes the risk of unauthorized access or accidental alterations to sensitive information and systems. By ensuring that users have the minimum level of access necessary, organizations can protect their assets and data from misuse or breaches, as users are not given privileges that exceed their requirements.

For example, if an employee in the finance department only needs access to certain financial applications, they would not be granted administrative access to the entire network. This practice not only confers a higher level of security but also helps in compliance with regulations that enforce strict access controls.

In contrast, the other principles mentioned serve different purposes. Separation of Duties aims to prevent fraud and errors by distributing tasks among multiple individuals; Defense in Depth is an approach to security that layers multiple defenses to protect against various threats; and Need to Know restricts access to information based on whether an individual genuinely needs that information to perform their job. While related to access control, these principles do not specifically address the core tenet of restricting access to the least amount necessary for operations, making Least Privilege the most appropriate principle for this question.