What is the security principle that restricts access privileges to what is essential for performing duties?

The principle that restricts access privileges to only what is essential for performing specific duties is known as the least privilege. This security concept is fundamental in information security and systems management, as it ensures that individuals, systems, or applications have the minimal level of access necessary to complete their tasks. By implementing the least privilege principle, organizations can effectively reduce their security risks, as potential exposure to sensitive data or critical systems is minimized.

For instance, if an employee in a company is solely responsible for data entry, under the least privilege principle, they would be granted access only to the systems and data required for that task, and nothing more. This helps prevent unauthorized access to confidential information or systems that are not relevant to their work, thereby strengthening the organization’s overall security posture.

The other options describe access control strategies but do not encapsulate the specific principle of limiting privilege based on necessity as effectively as the least privilege does.