What is the concept of 'least privilege' in cloud security?

The concept of 'least privilege' in cloud security refers to granting users the minimum necessary access rights they need to perform their job functions. By following this principle, organizations limit the risk of unintentional or malicious data breaches, as users do not have access to resources beyond what is essential for their tasks. This approach reduces the attack surface and enhances the overall security posture of the environment.

By applying the least privilege principle, organizations can ensure that even if a user's credentials are compromised, the potential for damage is minimized since the attacker would only have access to a limited set of resources. This strategy is particularly important in cloud environments, where resources and access can be expansive and interconnected.