One of the most common red flags we encounter when onboarding a new client is standard users running their day to day work as local administrators on laptops or desktops. This is usually allowed for convenience or as a workaround for a specific application that needed elevated permissions at some point. Over time it becomes the default, even though no one can clearly explain why it was originally approved.
From a security standpoint, this practice significantly increases risk. When a user is logged in as a local administrator, anything they interact with inherits those same privileges. Malware, phishing payloads, malicious browser extensions, and compromised installers are no longer limited in scope. They can make system level changes, dump credentials, tamper with security controls and establish persistence far more easily. Just as concerning, these actions become much harder to detect and contain once they occur.
There is also a major operational risk that often goes unnoticed. When everyone has administrative rights, consistency at the endpoint disappears. Software is installed without review, configurations drift from one system to the next and security tools are disabled to fix short term issues. Support teams can no longer assume devices are in a known good state, which makes troubleshooting slower and incident response far less predictable. Over time this erodes confidence in the environment and increases downtime during critical events.
At STF Consulting, removing unnecessary local administrator access is a control we consistently recommend because we have seen the results firsthand. Limiting administrative privileges has led to a measurable reduction in malware gaining a foothold on endpoint systems. By ensuring software installations and configuration changes are performed by us, every action is tied to a documented ticket and a clear change record. This gives leadership visibility into what was installed, why it was approved and where it exists.
Just as importantly, maintaining a consistent software baseline across systems reduces configuration drift, simplifies support, and shortens recovery timelines when issues arise. The goal is not to slow users down but to create a stable, predictable environment where security incidents are contained quickly and employees can stay productive without avoidable disruptions. This disciplined approach reflects our broader philosophy at STF Consulting: long term stability, clear guardrails, and systems that work reliably every day.
Sources
https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/privileged-access-management
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security/zero-trust/develop/least-privilege-access
https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-53r5.pdf