Which of the following best defines ‘least privilege’?

The concept of 'least privilege' is best defined by granting access based on necessity. This principle involves ensuring that individuals only have the permissions essential to perform their specific job functions or tasks. By limiting access rights to the minimum level required, organizations can significantly reduce the potential attack surface and the risk of unauthorized data access or misuse. This approach helps in mitigating the impact of potential security breaches, as it limits the capabilities of any user or program that might be compromised.

Access permissions that exceed what is necessary can lead to security vulnerabilities, as users might inadvertently or maliciously exploit unnecessary access. Therefore, adhering to the least privilege principle is a fundamental aspect of information security management, promoting responsible data handling and protecting sensitive information. The other options do not align with this core principle, as providing all users the same access level or full access rights undermines the protective intent behind the least privilege concept. Likewise, temporary access rights might not sufficiently address the necessity aspect of granting access.