Security & Privacy
Least privilege
Giving a user or agent only the minimum permissions needed for its task.
Example
A research agent receives read-only access to one approved document folder.
Why it matters
It limits the damage a mistake or compromised account can cause.
You'll hear it
“The assistant needs this folder, not the entire drive.”
Can you control it?
Sometimes
Sometimes. Some products or workflows let you influence least privilege, while others keep it fixed or manage it automatically. Check the settings and documentation for the tool you are using.
Common questions
- Can permissions be limited by time?
- Yes. Access can expire after a task or period, depending on the system.
- Does least privilege mean giving no useful access?
- No. The aim is enough access for the legitimate task, without unnecessary extras.
- Can a read-only permission still expose information?
- Yes. Reading sensitive material can itself be consequential even without changing it.