The principle of least privilege ensures that users, applications, and systems are granted only the minimum access necessary to perform their specific tasks. This approach minimizes the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access by restricting permissions, reducing the potential impact if credentials are compromised. Implementing the least privilege involves meticulous management of access controls and regular audits to ensure permissions align with current job responsibilities and operational needs. This principle is crucial for maintaining robust data security and protecting sensitive information from misuse.