Least privilege.

Least privilege gives a user or process only the access needed for its task, for only as long as that access is needed.

Put it into practice.

A service that reads public course material should not also have permission to delete private student recordings. Separate roles and narrow permissions reduce the impact of a compromise.

A common mistake

Authentication establishes identity; authorization determines permitted actions. Signing in does not by itself authorize access to another account’s records.

Original independent study explanation. Revised October 2026. Practice assumptions are illustrative.