Overview: Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP)

Quick Definition

A Zero Standing Privileges approach is a security model where users and systems have no permanent elevated access rights by default. Instead of granting persistent administrative or privileged access, this model requires users to request and receive temporary elevation only when needed for specific tasks, and only for the minimum duration necessary.

This principle builds upon the foundation of least privilege access but takes it further by eliminating the concept of "standing" or permanent privileges altogether. Traditional privilege management often involves granting users elevated rights that remain active until explicitly revoked, creating ongoing security risks. Zero Standing Privileges eliminates this risk window by ensuring that elevated access automatically expires.

Implementation typically involves just-in-time (JIT) access systems that can grant temporary privileges through automated approval workflows, time-limited tokens, or administrative oversight. When a user needs elevated access, they request it through a controlled process, receive it for a defined period, and then automatically lose those privileges when the time expires or the task is complete.

This approach significantly reduces the attack surface by minimizing the number of accounts with persistent high-level access, thereby limiting the potential damage from compromised accounts or insider threats.