The Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP) is a fundamental concept in cybersecurity. It ensures that users are granted only the minimum necessary access rights required to perform their job functions.
This principle is one I always enforce in cyber security as it is a powerful way of defending the most sensitive data an organisation holds. It is a great defence against the insider threat. Although it is not a perfect defence, as a highly trusted memebr of your team who chooses to abuse your trust, will have access to that sensitive information.
Why I am writing about PoLP? Well it seems a number of members of staff at a clinic used by the Royal Family have been caught trying to access confidential and personal information about the health of the Princess of Wales. IT IS NO ONE’S BUSINESS EXCEPT HERS, HER FAMILY AND THE HEALTHCARE WORKS INVOLVED IN THE CASE.
Kate hospital says any privacy breach would be investigated – BBC News
Kate hospital privacy breach claims being ‘assessed’ by watchdog – BBC News
The case has been reported to ICO.
Your Takeaway
PoLP is the starting point for defending your information. If a trusted person is going to abuse that trust then monitoring and accountability is needed.
So why not attend our free webinar where John O’Mahony will present a webinar on our Security Operations Centre (SOC) and cyber security stack for Octagon Technology and Smart Thinking. John is a Senior Cybersecurity Solutions Specialist with Kaseya and specialises in how corporate level cyber security tools can be leveraged for smaller organisations. The SOC provides our cyber security clients with 24/7 continuous monitoring of their IT assets and users and give you the kind of accountability that will deter the insider threat – at a price even a one-person operation can afford.
Leveraging Corporate Level Cyber Security Webinar – Register Here
I look forward to seeing you there.
Clive Catton MSc (Cyber Security) – by-line and other articles
Further Reading
If you are unsure what accountability should look like – I explain it in straight forward terms here:
Image by Microsoft Copilot
