Google Cloud Professional Cloud Security Engineer Practice Exam

When implementing the principle of least privilege, what is the main consideration in granting permissions?

1. Grant all users administrative access

2. Limit access based on the user's role and needs

3. Use default roles for all users

4. Group users by project without restrictions

The correct answer is: Limit access based on the user's role and needs

The principle of least privilege is a fundamental security concept that emphasizes providing users with only the permissions necessary to perform their job functions. Granting access based solely on the user's role and specific needs ensures that individuals can access only the information and resources required for their responsibilities, minimizing the potential for unauthorized access or unintended data exposure. This approach not only enhances the overall security posture of an organization but also limits the impact of potential security breaches. By carefully evaluating which resources are needed for a user to perform their tasks, organizations can significantly decrease their attack surface and reduce the risk of malicious activities or accidental misconfigurations. In contrast, granting administrative access to all users, applying default roles indiscriminately, or grouping users without restrictions undermine the principle of least privilege and can create vulnerabilities, as these methods can lead to excessive permissions that are neither controlled nor tailored to individual user needs.