What defines a privileged user in an organization?

A privileged user in an organization is defined as someone who possesses administrative or specialized access to systems, applications, and data that are not available to standard users. This means they have elevated permissions that allow them to perform critical actions such as configuring systems, managing user accounts, and accessing sensitive information. The elevated status of privileged users comes with significant responsibility, as they have the potential to influence the security and integrity of organizational data and systems.

This distinction is vital in managing insider threats, as privileged users can unintentionally or maliciously abuse their access, leading to potential data breaches or other security incidents. Thus, organizations typically implement stringent controls and monitoring for these users to mitigate risks associated with their access privileges.