For which purpose should the principle of least privilege be applied in data engineering?

The principle of least privilege is primarily aimed at minimizing security risks by ensuring that individuals or systems have only the necessary access rights to perform their tasks. In the context of data engineering, applying this principle means restricting users' abilities to access sensitive data or perform operations beyond what is strictly required for their role. This limited access ensures that if a user’s account is compromised or if they act with malicious intent, the potential damage is contained.

By reducing the number of users who have access to critical systems and sensitive information, organizations can significantly lower the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and insider threats. The focus remains on protecting sensitive data and maintaining the overall security posture of the data engineering environment.