Why Can’t I Be the Admin of My Own Computer?
Everyone who works in IT dreads hearing this question. Admin privileges provide powerful access, enabling major system changes like editing files and downloading software.
Calling your IT provider just to type in a passcode can feel frustrating. If your job involves frequent software downloads, it’s easy to see why you might want to “cut out the middleman.” But what’s the worst that could happen?
Principle of Least Privilege
No two IT providers are exactly the same—each operates with unique approaches. Still, many core principles of IT and cybersecurity remain consistent across the industry. One of these is the principle of least privilege. This concept ensures that users receive only the level of access necessary to perform their tasks. While some users may need admin-level privileges, most do not.
The principle of least privilege aims to minimize the damage that any single account can inflict on a system. For example, a user might delete an important file or accidentally download malware. In other cases, a cybercriminal may compromise the account. By applying the principle of least privilege, organizations can reduce or even prevent these risks.
Every additional admin account on a device increases its vulnerability to threats. When that device serves a business purpose, these risks extend to the entire organization. Threat actors with admin access can make destructive changes that ripple across the company, potentially causing widespread damage before anyone can stop them—if they can stop them at all.
The Bottom Line
Is the principle of least privilege inconvenient? Yes. But it’s far less inconvenient than dealing with a major security breach.
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