An IT manager informs the entire help desk staff that only the IT manager and the help desk lead will have access to the administrator console of the help desk software. Which of the following security techniques is the IT manager setting up?

The IT manager is implementing the principle of least privilege by restricting access to the administrator console to only those who absolutely need it (the IT manager and the help desk lead). This security principle dictates that users should only be granted the minimum necessary permissions to perform their job functions, reducing the attack surface and potential damage from compromised accounts. Hardening involves securing systems by reducing vulnerabilities, but this scenario specifically addresses access control. Employee monitoring tracks employee activities. Configuration enforcement ensures systems adhere to predefined settings, which is a broader concept than the specific access restriction described.