Episode 88 — Spotlight: Least Privilege (AC-6)

Least Privilege (AC-6) enforces that users and processes operate with the minimum access necessary to perform assigned duties. For exam preparation, candidates must know this principle reduces attack surface and limits damage if credentials are compromised. The control applies to all environments—on-premises, cloud, and hybrid—requiring that permissions be granted only for legitimate business needs and reviewed regularly. Privileged accounts receive special scrutiny to ensure elevation is temporary and auditable. AC-6 provides the foundation for security resilience by containing risk within predictable boundaries.

Operationally, least privilege is maintained through structured access reviews, automated entitlement management, and just-in-time privilege elevation. Systems use privilege management tools to grant temporary administrative rights under monitoring rather than permanent broad access. Review cycles ensure roles remain aligned with responsibilities, while segregation of duties prevents conflicts. Metrics like reduction in high-privilege accounts, mean time to revoke unused permissions, and policy exception counts measure progress. Pitfalls include blanket role assignments and failure to revoke access after project completion. By enforcing AC-6 effectively, organizations achieve a defensible balance between productivity and control, turning principle into measurable practice.
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