In a world where cyberattacks are becoming more and more common, it’s important to have a comprehensive security strategy in place. A zero trust strategy is a good way to achieve this. But what is a zero trust strategy, and how can you create one for your business?
Zero Trust Strategy
Applications have become increasingly complex over time. The interconnected nature of modern cloud applications has created new challenges for IT administrators. Especially when protecting their networks from cyberattacks.
The Zero Trust Network Security model was developed to address these challenges. Now head on by shifting responsibility for securing applications from the perimeter inward towards the applications themselves. The move from perimeter-based security models to Zero Trust Network Security models has implications for everything.
This is from network design to identity management policies. While organizations can execute a Zero Trust migration in stages, they should always strive towards achieving a fully Zero Trust state when possible.
ZTNA Layers
Zero Trust Network Architecture (ZTNA) is an architecture that moves the network perimeter closer to endpoints, applications, and data. This allows organizations to avoid the complexity and cost of maintaining separate perimeters for each application or data store. This in turn allows them to focus on their digital business objectives instead of complex network architectures.
Zero Trust Network Architecture can be implemented in several ways. But all versions share the same fundamental principles.
Zero Trust Security Model
The Zero Trust Security Model is a strategy that assumes that any device connected to an organization’s network is compromised. That is by an attacker unless proven otherwise. This device includes a smartphone, laptop, IoT device, or another digital system.
The model also assumes that all data entering or leaving an organization’s network does so without authorization. Also, must be monitored in real-time to stop unauthorized access.
Zero Trust Architecture
The Zero Trust Architecture is a model that assumes all devices are untrusted and uses whitelisting. This is to allow only authorized devices to connect. With a Zero Trust Architecture, the network becomes the perimeter.
Also, the security controls are pushed outwards from the network core towards users and the applications they interact with.
Zero Trust Isolation
The Zero Trust Isolation model focuses on monitoring all inbound and outbound traffic within an organization’s environment. Using this approach, organizations can identify threats based on user activity. Also, with unauthorized connections between applications and endpoints.
Zero Trust Isolation is often used in tandem with traditional security approaches. These are the Zero Trust Security Model and the Zero Trust Architecture.
Zero Trust Visibility and Model Benefits
The Zero Trust Visibility model focuses on monitoring all traffic to identify threats based on user activity. Also, as well as unauthorized connections between applications and endpoints. Zero Trust Visibility is often used in tandem with traditional security approaches, such as the Zero Trust.
This differs from traditional security models, where traffic is allowed through a firewall only after it is not malicious. The Zero Trust Security Model improves security by eliminating vulnerabilities associated with traditional security models. Also, increasing the overall security of an organization’s systems and data.
In addition, the Zero Trust Security Model is more efficient than traditional security models. This is because it focuses on assessing endpoints rather than monitoring network traffic. The result is a strategy that requires less network infrastructure and fewer resources than other security models.