What does the least privilege model help to mitigate?

The least privilege model is designed to limit users' access rights to the minimum necessary to perform their job functions. By enforcing this principle, organizations significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and potential damage caused by users or applications that have more privileges than they require.

This approach helps mitigate security risks associated with excessive access rights. For instance, if a user has broader access than needed, they could unintentionally or maliciously alter, delete, or exfiltrate sensitive data. By ensuring that users only have access to the information and systems needed for their specific role, the least privilege model effectively minimizes the attack surface and potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.