Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) is a security concept that aims to minimize the privileges granted to user accounts or processes by default. The idea behind ZSP is to reduce the attack surface and limit the potential damage that can be caused by compromised accounts or malicious activities.
In traditional security models, user accounts often have standing privileges, meaning they have certain default access rights and permissions that persist even when not explicitly required. This can include administrative privileges, access to sensitive data or systems, and other elevated privileges.
However, with ZSP, the principle is to grant users or processes only the privileges necessary to perform their specific tasks, and no more. Instead of having standing privileges, users start with minimal access rights and must request additional privileges on a case-by-case basis, usually through a process called Just-in-Time (JIT) privilege elevation.
By implementing ZSP, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of privilege abuse, unauthorized access, and lateral movement within a network. It helps mitigate the impact of potential security breaches by minimizing the scope of compromise and enforcing the principle of least privilege (PoLP).
ZSP is often implemented as part of a broader security strategy that includes measures such as least privilege access controls, privileged access management (PAM) solutions, multifactor authentication (MFA), and strong identity and access management (IAM) practices.