Are you wondering how to implement a zero trust model of security for your networks and IT infrastructure? Do you wonder why the term ‘zero trust security’ is becoming such a buzzword or how you can better protect your digital assets from cyberattacks?
Many companies believe that their current approach to cybersecurity is enough to protect them from malware, malicious insiders, and data breaches. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case and companies only realize their mistake after it’s too late.
We’re going to talk about what zero trust security is, the benefits of it, and of course, how to implement a zero trust approach in your own IT system. Keep reading for more information.
What is Zero Trust Security?
Zero trust is an approach to security that never automatically assumes a user is supposed to access your system or that an application should be able to run on a specific computer. It authenticates users and/or applications before allowing them to access your network.
The premise behind zero trust is, “never trust, always verify.”
This model of security came to fruition years ago when corporations realized that once malware or a hacker accessed their network, there were very few measures stopping the attack from spreading. It only allows access to users and/or applications with appropriate credentials and ensures that each person or device uses only the level of privilege they need for their task.
Benefits of Using a Zero Trust Approach to Security
Because zero trust security can ensure that every user, device, and/or application is verified and authenticated, businesses that use this model of security have a lower risk of being a victim of cyberattacks, infected with malware, and losing time and money due to data breaches.
When your network, IT system, and sensitive data are better protected, your customers are less likely to face the negative impacts of having their information stolen. This fact can help protect your company’s reputation from angry (former) clients and may prevent legal issues that can arise from failing to comply with your industry’s security standards.
Many business leaders perceive the cloud and cloud computing as being risky, particularly when it comes to sensitive data. A zero trust approach integrates well with this type of technology and can further improve the already-secure system.
With all of these security benefits, you may think that using zero trust architecture would impair the overall user experience. This is actually far from the truth. Zero trust can use behavioral analytics to determine the level of access each user and/or application receives.
Implementing Zero Trust
With all of the security benefits of using zero trust, you should be asking yourself why haven’t you already implemented this model of security. For most people, the answer is simple: they don’t know how to do so.
The steps below can help make the process easy – or at least easier to understand.
Multi-factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication will prompt the user for something they have such as a mobile phone, network access key, RFID card, or credit card (a possession factor); something they know, such as a PIN, password, or pattern (a knowledge factor); and for enhanced security, the authorization may require a fingerprint or retina scan (an inherence factor).
The combination of any two or all three of these factors can authenticate users to ensure that they are who they say, making certain that no one else is using their credentials.
Application Permissions
Another aspect of Zero Trust is application authentication. You essentially monitor a computer for common application access, and a policy is created to only allow those applications to operate and no others. With this technique, any malware that attempts to execute will be unable due to the existing policy. This method requires a bit of patience and training but can be a highly effective and affordable layer of security.
Using the Principle of Least Privilege
The Principle of Least Privilege is a practice that grants the users of your network the bare minimum access that they need in order to complete their tasks. You may allow some users to view, modify, and run files – or you may give them no access to certain items at all.
The idea behind this principle is to minimize the level of access given to all users, avoiding the potential for the misuse of data while still allowing each user to fulfill their role.
Endpoint Device Validation
Endpoint devices are those that are used to access your network. They must be validated in order to ensure that outside devices aren’t being used maliciously. In a corporate setting, devices can be enrolled to allow for access after the user is authenticated using their personal credentials.
Micro-segmentation of Security Perimeters
Often, networks are protected by one large security perimeter. This means that once a user or malicious piece of software has access, there is no real way to stop it from moving from device to device or from file to file.
Micro-segmentation breaks your security perimeters up into smaller areas, requiring the reauthorization of anyone who wishes to access it. Segmenting your perimeters allows your IT team to see the point at which any attack begins.
The use of micro-segmentation may break up your data center or cloud into several sections to prevent laterally moving attacks. It also allows you to easily implement the Principle of Least Privilege and multi-factor authorizations.
Working With a Security Provider
Zero trust security is an effective way to protect your networks, IT infrastructure, and to prevent data breaches. It is also is relatively easy to understand, implement, and use.
As with anything, with the right knowledge and know-how, incorporating zero trust in your network can be straightforward and it’s always advisable to work with an experienced security provider.
Techspert starts with zero trust application authentication first and can later implement other security measures, depending on each customer’s needs. Please contact us today so we can demonstrate how easy it is to add a zero trust security layer to your overall cybersecurity solution.
Many companies believe that their current approach to cybersecurity is enough to protect them from malware, malicious insiders, and data breaches. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case and companies only realize their mistake after it’s too late.
We’re going to talk about what zero trust security is, the benefits of it, and of course, how to implement a zero trust approach in your own IT system. Keep reading for more information.
What is Zero Trust Security?
Zero trust is an approach to security that never automatically assumes a user is supposed to access your system or that an application should be able to run on a specific computer. It authenticates users and/or applications before allowing them to access your network.
The premise behind zero trust is, “never trust, always verify.”
This model of security came to fruition years ago when corporations realized that once malware or a hacker accessed their network, there were very few measures stopping the attack from spreading. It only allows access to users and/or applications with appropriate credentials and ensures that each person or device uses only the level of privilege they need for their task.
Benefits of Using a Zero Trust Approach to Security
Because zero trust security can ensure that every user, device, and/or application is verified and authenticated, businesses that use this model of security have a lower risk of being a victim of cyberattacks, infected with malware, and losing time and money due to data breaches.
When your network, IT system, and sensitive data are better protected, your customers are less likely to face the negative impacts of having their information stolen. This fact can help protect your company’s reputation from angry (former) clients and may prevent legal issues that can arise from failing to comply with your industry’s security standards.
Many business leaders perceive the cloud and cloud computing as being risky, particularly when it comes to sensitive data. A zero trust approach integrates well with this type of technology and can further improve the already-secure system.
With all of these security benefits, you may think that using zero trust architecture would impair the overall user experience. This is actually far from the truth. Zero trust can use behavioral analytics to determine the level of access each user and/or application receives.
Implementing Zero Trust
With all of the security benefits of using zero trust, you should be asking yourself why haven’t you already implemented this model of security. For most people, the answer is simple: they don’t know how to do so.
The steps below can help make the process easy – or at least easier to understand.
Multi-factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication will prompt the user for something they have such as a mobile phone, network access key, RFID card, or credit card (a possession factor); something they know, such as a PIN, password, or pattern (a knowledge factor); and for enhanced security, the authorization may require a fingerprint or retina scan (an inherence factor).
The combination of any two or all three of these factors can authenticate users to ensure that they are who they say, making certain that no one else is using their credentials.
Application Permissions
Another aspect of Zero Trust is application authentication. You essentially monitor a computer for common application access, and a policy is created to only allow those applications to operate and no others. With this technique, any malware that attempts to execute will be unable due to the existing policy. This method requires a bit of patience and training but can be a highly effective and affordable layer of security.
Using the Principle of Least Privilege
The Principle of Least Privilege is a practice that grants the users of your network the bare minimum access that they need in order to complete their tasks. You may allow some users to view, modify, and run files – or you may give them no access to certain items at all.
The idea behind this principle is to minimize the level of access given to all users, avoiding the potential for the misuse of data while still allowing each user to fulfill their role.
Endpoint Device Validation
Endpoint devices are those that are used to access your network. They must be validated in order to ensure that outside devices aren’t being used maliciously. In a corporate setting, devices can be enrolled to allow for access after the user is authenticated using their personal credentials.
Micro-segmentation of Security Perimeters
Often, networks are protected by one large security perimeter. This means that once a user or malicious piece of software has access, there is no real way to stop it from moving from device to device or from file to file.
Micro-segmentation breaks your security perimeters up into smaller areas, requiring the reauthorization of anyone who wishes to access it. Segmenting your perimeters allows your IT team to see the point at which any attack begins.
The use of micro-segmentation may break up your data center or cloud into several sections to prevent laterally moving attacks. It also allows you to easily implement the Principle of Least Privilege and multi-factor authorizations.
Working With a Security Provider
Zero trust security is an effective way to protect your networks, IT infrastructure, and to prevent data breaches. It is also is relatively easy to understand, implement, and use.
As with anything, with the right knowledge and know-how, incorporating zero trust in your network can be straightforward and it’s always advisable to work with an experienced security provider.
Techspert starts with zero trust application authentication first and can later implement other security measures, depending on each customer’s needs. Please contact us today so we can demonstrate how easy it is to add a zero trust security layer to your overall cybersecurity solution.