With the age of the internet, the attacks themselves are much more intelligent and devious today. The single perimeter-based security model is not robust enough to keep systems and precious information in their dark. This bred Zero Trust Security, a model that never trusts anyone within or without the network to run on auto-pilot. Rather, every request for access needs to be verified before access is provided.

As cloud adoption, remote work, and cyberattacks increased, Zero Trust is becoming the gold standard for cybersecurity. In this article, we are going to summarize why Zero Trust is the future of security, how it functions, and why companies need to adopt it if they want to stay ahead of the new threats.

Zero Trust Security

Zero Trust Security is a “never trust, always verify” security model for cybersecurity. In contrast to legacy security models that assume devices and users in a network are secure and can be trusted, Zero Trust must be verified continually and access must be stringently controlled in a bid to limit unauthorized access.

There are three main pillars to the Zero Trust model:

• Verify Explicitly – Always confirm and verify users and devices against multiple conditions including location, identity, device health, and behavior.
• Least Privilege Access – Grant users the least privilege they need to perform their task.
• Assume Breach – Assume each request is a potential security attack and mitigate the risk by isolating networks and enforcing robust monitoring.

By embracing these principles, organizations can reduce their attack surface and shut down unauthorized access to their sensitive systems and data.

Why Existing Security Models Fail

The classic perimeter-based security model was born out of the assumption that the whole corporate network is safe and attacks from outside the network are blocked by firewalls and VPNs. It is no longer sufficient for a number of reasons:

1. The Remote Work Revolution

Corporate networks reach far beyond the office walls these days because increasingly, employees work from home. Teleworkers utilize their own machines and unencrypted wireless connections, the cybercrook’s preferred vector of attack. Conventional security methods are not effective to safeguard in a decentralized environment.

2. Cloud and Hybrid Environments

Organizations are more relying on cloud services like Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud that reside outside the legacy network perimeter. Security models that rely on firewalls are inconsequential to cloud application access auditing, thus putting them at risk.

3. Advanced Cyber Threats

Sophisticated cyber attacks through phishing, ransomware, and supply chain attacks are employed by cyber hackers to evade traditional security controls. The malicious action is difficult to detect as the attackers use legitimate credentials to achieve unauthorized access.

4. Insider Threats

Not all cybersecurity threats are from outside hackers insider threats (angry employees, pilfered passwords, or malicious users) are an all-too-frequent threat. Traditional security designs rely on trusting based on the integrity of employees and internal networks, an unmerited assumption.

Such complexities reflect the necessity of having a Zero Trust architecture to protect today’s businesses from cyber attacks.

Key Technologies Behind Zero Trust

Zero Trust Security entails the adoption of various security technologies and best practices. Some of the ingredients that are needed include:

1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA asks users to authenticate using more than a single factor, i.e., password, biometric scan, or one-time passcode. This helps reduce the stolen credentials threat to unauthorized access.

2. Identity and Access Management (IAM)

IAM stops unapproved access to assets by simply enabling only certified individuals and systems. It enables role-based access control (RBAC) and principle of least privilege to minimize security threats.

3. Micro-Segmentation

Micro-segmentation divides the network into micro-zones, and the micro-zones are separated from each other such that it is not easy for an attacker to laterally move. It is not easy for the attacker to laterally move to the rest of the network even if he is attempting to reach a single segment.

4. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

ZTNA replaces traditional VPNs with secure app access rather than end-to-end network encryption. It validates users and endpoints before accessing specific services.

5. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) & AI-Powered Threat Detection

AI-powered SIEM solutions monitor network traffic and user behavior for suspicious activity and malicious behavior in real-time. Machine learning can be used to automate threat response and detection.

1. Enhanced Security and Attack Surface Reduced

As the attacks are arriving from all sides, Zero Trust drastically reduces the attack surfaces and narrows the extent of unauthorized access. Even if the attacker somehow succeeds in penetrating a single system, he cannot roam freely in the network.

2. Rules Compliance Improved

GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA compliance requirements are all requiring rigorous data control and rigorous access control. Zero Trust makes such organizations compliant to such regulations because it gives visibility in real time and least privilege access.

3. Enhanced Protection from Ransomware and Phishing

Phishing is tirelessly being used to steal credentials. Zero Trust contains the damage with the help of continuous authentication and least privilege and so does not allow attackers to use breached accounts.

4. Zero-Touch Cloud Services and Remote Work Security

With work from anywhere being the new normal, Zero Trust protects enterprise assets by providing secure access independent of legacy VPNs. Contextual visibility of insight-driven-based access is a promise to defend cloud apps with enforcing granular level controls.

5. Insider Threats Targeting

Zero Trust does not even grant the insiders uncontrolled access unless they authenticate and make valid requests to access. This does not give malicious insiders or compromised accounts a chance to wreak havoc on a massive scale.

Steps for Implementing Zero Trust Security

• Identify and Classify Sensitive Data and Assets – Identify what requires protection and classify assets based on the level of threat.
• Implement Strict Identity and Access Controls – Mandate MFA, SSO, and role-based access controls in an attempt to lock down user authentication.
• Use Micro-Segmentation – Micro-segment the network into small blocks of isolation in an attempt to quarantine threats and restrict lateral movement.
• Monitor and Analyze Network Traffic at All Times – Utilize AI-based threat detection to identify malicious traffic and react automatically.
• Apply PoLP – Restrict user and application permission to what is absolutely required to fulfill their purpose.
• Use VPN as Alternative to ZTNA – Provide cloud applications secure access without compromising the extended network.
• Update Security Policies Periodically – Cyber attacks evolve day by day and thus companies need to update security policy and train their workforce with best practice periodically.

Conclusion

Zero Trust Security is not novel zero trust security is the future of online cyber protection in an increasingly sophisticated online world. Existing security architectures are creaking under the weight of remote work, cloud computing, and sophisticated cyber threats. Zero Trust must be put into place by organizations if confidential data is to be protected, attacks prevented, and regulation and legislation met.

Through MFA, micro-segmentation, ZTNA, AI-powered threat detection, and round-the-clock monitoring, organizations can develop a robust security stance that destroys cyber threats at their will.

Zero Trust will be the norm for protecting networks, applications, and information as cyber attacks keep on evolving and spreading on a continuous basis.