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The principle of least privilege is a key security concept that involves granting users the minimum levels of access—or permissions—necessary to perform their job functions efficiently. This principle helps to minimize security risks by limiting users' access to sensitive information and critical systems, thus reducing the potential for accidental or malicious misuse of information.

By providing only the essential permissions required for a user’s role, organizations can better protect their systems and data from unauthorized access and potential breaches. This approach limits the scope of damage that can occur if a user's account is compromised, as the attacker would only gain access to the resources permissible under that account's privileges.

In contrast to this principle, granting full access to administrators or maximum access to users can expose an organization to greater risks, such as data breaches or internal fraud. Therefore, the principle of least privilege fosters a more secure operating environment by ensuring that access to resources is tightly regulated and monitored.