PAM 
Implementing a Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution is an important step toward protecting your organization’s most sensitive data and systems. When executed correctly, PAM helps enforce
4 min read
Published on June 23, 2025
Endpoints, which are physical devices like laptops, desktops and mobile phones that connect to a network, are valuable targets for cybercriminals and are often the weakest links in an organization’s security posture. Enforcing the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP) on these endpoints is essential to reducing attack surfaces, preventing lateral movement and minimizing potential damage caused by compromised accounts. The best ways to enforce least-privilege access on endpoints include removing standing local admin rights, leveraging Just-in-Time (JIT) access elevation and continuously monitoring and auditing privileged activity on endpoints.
Continue reading to learn more about PoLP, why it’s important to enforce on endpoints and how to do so effectively.
What is the principle of least privilege?
The Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP) is a security practice that restricts user access to only the resources needed to perform specific tasks. Granting excessive privileges creates avoidable security risks by enabling broad access if an account is compromised. Enforcing PoLP helps contain the impact of breaches and helps organizations of all sizes meet compliance requirements. While small businesses may not have complex security infrastructures, enforcing PoLP is an effective way to strengthen endpoint security and reduce overall exposure to cyber threats.
Why you should enforce least privilege on endpoints
As many companies allow Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies and support remote work, securing endpoints has become essential to protecting organizational networks. Traditional perimeter defenses like firewalls are no longer sufficient. Each connected device must be secured individually. Failing to enforce least privilege on endpoints introduces various new security risks:
- Local administrator rights: If users have local admin rights, they can install unapproved software and disable security tools. Without enforcing least privilege on endpoints, misconfigurations become more likely, and cybercriminals gain more power if an endpoint is compromised.
- Lateral movement: If a single endpoint with elevated permissions is breached, cybercriminals can move laterally through the network, escalating privileges and accessing critical systems. Enforcing least privilege helps contain these breaches by restricting access to only what is necessary.
- Malware infections: Malware typically relies on elevated privileges to install on a device. When endpoints are configured with least privilege, malware is less likely to spread successfully, reducing the overall impact of a cyber attack.
Best practices for enforcing least privilege on endpoints
Organizations can ensure users have least privilege on endpoints by removing standing local admin rights, enabling JIT access and monitoring endpoint activity for misuse.
Eliminate standing local admin rights
When users have standing admin rights, they can install unauthorized software, disable security controls and make unapproved system changes. If compromised, those accounts become valuable entry points for cybercriminals to deploy malware, steal data or move laterally within an organization’s network.
To reduce security risks, organizations should remove local admin rights from all non-IT users. Most employees don’t need admin-level access to perform daily tasks, so removing these rights immediately minimizes the attack surface. Organizations should create policy-based exceptions for users who require temporary elevated access. However, when organizations do so, they must clearly communicate why the changes are being made and provide employee training to offer support and promote adoption.
Use Just-in-Time (JIT) access elevation
In a least-privilege environment, users may occasionally need temporary elevated access. Granting standing admin rights defeats the purpose of PoLP, which is why Just-in-Time (JIT) access elevation is crucial. JIT access reduces risk by providing admin rights only when necessary and only for as long as that access is needed.
Organizations should first implement tools that support JIT elevation with audit trails, which log detailed records for compliance and security reviews. To further strengthen security, organizations must require Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all privilege elevation requests. This ensures that only authorized users can gain elevated access, even if it is temporary. By setting predefined time limits for each privileged session, organizations can automatically revoke access once a task has been completed, eliminating the risk of lingering access.
Monitor and audit endpoint activity
Enforcing least privilege on endpoints is only effective when you can verify that it’s working, which is why monitoring and auditing endpoint activity is essential. Without visibility into endpoint activity, elevated access can be abused without detection, leaving organizations more susceptible to insider threats and data breaches.
That’s why organizations should deploy an endpoint privilege management solution that provides real-time monitoring and detailed audit logs. These tools allow security teams to track who requested elevated access, when it was granted and what actions were taken. By monitoring elevated access in real time, security teams can more quickly respond to anomalies and ensure policies are being followed.
Improve endpoint security with least privilege
Organizations must enforce least privilege on endpoints to defend against advanced cyber threats. By removing standing admin rights, implementing JIT access and continuously monitoring endpoint activity, organizations can reduce their attack surface and minimize the impact of potential data breaches.
Keeper Endpoint Privilege Manager helps organizations enforce PoLP across Windows, macOS and Linux environments. If your organization is ready to strengthen its endpoints, request a demo today to learn how Keeper can support your security posture.
Frequently asked questions
What is least privilege on endpoints?
Least privilege on endpoints means granting users only the minimum level of access necessary to perform tasks on devices, including laptops, desktops and mobile phones. Enforcing least privilege reduces security vulnerabilities by blocking unauthorized changes, limiting the potential impact of malware infections and preventing lateral movement from compromised accounts.
How can I remove admin rights from employees?
To remove admin rights from employees, start by identifying which users have local admin rights and evaluating whether they’re necessary. Use group policies or an endpoint privilege management solution to revoke unnecessary admin rights. Communicate these changes clearly and provide sufficient training to help employees understand the benefits and the new JIT access process.
What tools help enforce endpoint privilege controls?
Endpoint privilege management tools are designed to enforce least privilege on user devices. These solutions allow organizations to remove standing local admin rights, enable JIT access elevation and monitor privileged activity. Although there are several endpoint privilege management tools on the market, Keeper Endpoint Privilege Manager supports cross-platform enforcement across Windows, macOS and Linux environments, allowing organizations to improve their endpoint security posture.
