Author: Veli-Pekka Vähälummukka, Program Director at Trivore
What is the Principle of Least Privilege?
One of the most fundamental principles of information security is the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP). The concept is not new, but embedding it into the daily operations of organisations seems to be a work in progress for many. Within the public sector, this principle is considered so vital that its core premise is even enshrined in law (Act on Information Management in Public Administration, Section 16).
In practice, the principle means that access rights are granted only to the extent strictly required to perform one’s duties—no more, and never “just in case”.
If this principle is not followed, access rights easily begin to accumulate. An employee changes roles, participates in projects, covers for a colleague, or starts using a new system, and more rights are granted along the way. Frequently, however, these rights are not removed when the situation changes.
A typical example of this is a scenario where a new employee is requested to have “the same access rights as Kalle”, without considering that Kalle has been with the organisation for years, participated in numerous projects, and held various roles. Consequently, his rights no longer correspond to a single job description; instead, they include accumulated access to many systems. When these rights are copied as they are to another person, access is simultaneously granted to systems that the new employee does not need—or that they might not even realise they have access to.
This creates invisible risks: users with broader rights than their job description requires and systems that can be accessed through “back doors”.
Least Privilege is a Core Part of Risk Management
The value of the Principle of Least Privilege is particularly highlighted when access rights are viewed from the perspective of risk management and business continuity. When access rights are restricted based on job tasks, and their granting and removal are managed systematically, an organisation’s exposure to internal or external threats is significantly reduced. However, such a model cannot be implemented manually—at least not scalably, and not without a considerable administrative burden.
An IAM Solution Supports Scalable Implementation
This is where a modern IAM solution provides the practical means to implement the principle. In a well-constructed Identity and Access Management system, a user’s access rights are determined automatically based on their job duties, organisational role, and unit. This operating model ensures that rights remain up to date throughout the user’s entire lifecycle.
When a new employee starts, they automatically receive rights to exactly the systems and information required by their job description. If the person’s role changes, their rights change with it. And when employment ends, rights are removed systematically, without unnecessary delay or forgotten access permissions.
The advantage of automation is also that the process of granting access does not burden IT administration, nor does it require a manual approval chain for every change. Rights management is transparent, monitored, and auditable, which facilitates both internal oversight and the fulfilment of external regulatory requirements.
Least Privilege is More Than Just a Security Measure
From an organisation’s perspective, the Principle of Least Privilege is not merely a security measure, but a foundation for control and reliability. It creates an environment where access rights are not a constantly shifting compromise between security and workflow, but a predictable, documented, and managed whole.