What principle guides the assignment of permissions to ensure minimal access rights?

The principle that guides the assignment of permissions to ensure minimal access rights is the Principle of Least Privilege. This principle stipulates that individuals or systems should only be granted the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job functions. By adhering to this principle, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches.

When users are given excessive permissions, the potential for misuse, whether intentional or accidental, increases. Implementing the Principle of Least Privilege means carefully assessing the specific permissions needed for each role within the organization and continuously reviewing those permissions to maintain security. This practice not only enhances security but also limits the attack surface, making it more difficult for attackers to gain access to sensitive information or critical systems.

In contrast, other options deal with different aspects of security and access management. For example, the separation of duties focuses on dividing responsibilities among multiple people to prevent fraud and errors. The need-to-know basis is relevant to information sharing and ensures that individuals have access only to information necessary for their roles. The shared responsibility model typically applies to cloud computing services, delineating the security responsibilities of both the service provider and the customer. While all these concepts contribute to a comprehensive security strategy, the Principle of Least Privilege directly addresses the