Which action is necessary to properly deal with a threat actor engaged in information theft?

The principle of least privilege is a crucial security concept that limits users' access rights to the bare minimum necessary to perform their job functions. By ensuring that users have only the permissions they need, organizations can significantly reduce the potential impact of a threat actor engaged in information theft. This principle is essential because it prevents unauthorized access to sensitive data and mitigates the damage that can be done by any compromised account.

For instance, if a user account is breached and has minimal permissions, the threat actor will only be able to access a limited amount of information, rather than the entire database or sensitive files. This containment reduces the overall risk and potential loss of data.

In contrast, implementing firewalls, multi-factor authentication, and continuous monitoring of network traffic are all important elements of a comprehensive security strategy. Firewalls can help block unauthorized access, multi-factor authentication can add an extra layer of security during login, and continuous network monitoring can help detect suspicious activities in real time. However, these measures do not directly reduce the immediate risk associated with a compromised account as effectively as applying the principle of least privilege. By combining these approaches with the principle of least privilege, organizations can bolster their defenses against threat actors engaged in information theft.