Zero Trust security is a framework requiring authentication, authorisation and continuous validation of all network users before allowing them access to applications and data.
Anyone with access to your IT systems, including your employees, is a threat to your IT security.
A Zero Trust security approach is the best form of threat mitigation. It works on the basis that every person and device trying to access resources on your network is a threat. It enforces strict access controls and verification mechanisms for every user, device and application, regardless of location or origin.
Key principles of the Zero Trust security approach
Zero Trust security follows several fundamental principles:
Verify every user: Make sure every user is who they claim to be with strong, contextual, risk-based multi-factor authentication. All users must be continuously verified and authenticated before being granted access to resources.
Validate every device: Only allow registered devices with a good security posture to access your resources.
Use least-privilege access: Limit user access with just-in-time and just-enough access. Give users the minimum level of access required to perform their tasks. Grant privileged access the second it’s needed and take it away the second it’s not.
Micro-segmentation: Divide network resources into smaller, isolated segments to restrict lateral movement within the network and limit the blast radius.
Network monitoring: Continuously monitor and analyse network activities to help promptly detect and respond to any strange or suspicious behaviour.
Encryption: Use end-to-end encryption, ensuring that even if an unauthorised user gains access, the data remains unreadable without proper decryption keys.
Benefits of a Zero Trust security approach
Adopting a Zero Trust approach brings many benefits to your business, including:
- Securely work from anywhere: Adaptable security policies will help you effectively manage and protect all your devices and identities, no matter where people choose to work.
- Safeguard your most critical assets: Your data will be secure even as it moves beyond your network.
- Improved security posture: Zero Trust minimises the risk of data breaches and cyber attacks.
- Reduce insider threats: Zero Trust helps mitigate the risk of insider threats or unauthorised access by compromised credentials by verifying and continuously authenticating user identities and devices.
- Reduced impact of breaches: Even if a breach occurs, Zero Trust limits the potential damage by confining the attacker’s access to a restricted segment of the network, preventing them from moving laterally and accessing other critical resources.
- Future-proofing security: The Zero Trust model is designed to adapt and evolve with changing technology and threat landscapes. It provides a flexible framework that can be adjusted to incorporate emerging security measures.
- Compliance and regulation: A Zero Trust approach can help you meet regulatory requirements and industry standards by ensuring better control and visibility over sensitive data access.
Implementing a Zero Trust strategy may require a fundamental shift in approach and technology implementation. However, adopting this approach will strengthen your overall security posture and reduce the risk of data breaches and cyber attacks.
To find out more or for support implementing a Zero Trust security strategy in your organisation, please get in touch.