Here are the ways to implement Zero Trust Networking Frameworks into the core of your organizational infrastructure and networks.
Zero Trust Networking Frameworks
Cybersecurity’s best method ensures that any endpoint which is connected to an organization’s network will be evaluated and validated. That is against all policies defined by Zero Trust Networking Frameworks. But this is before it can be granted access or privileges to enter into the organization’s networks.
The platform will assures that only compliant endpoints are granted access or privileges. That is to enter into the organization’s core networks. It allows an organization to enforce policies selectively based on the risk levels of the endpoints.
For example, high-risk endpoints can be allowed with reduced privileges. Also, it can be blocked whereas low-risk endpoints can be allowed with full network privileges. ZTNA is a network architecture that is based on two fundamental pillars:
Unified Threat Management (UTM)
UTM is a network security component that has multiple components or functions. It is a combination of multiple security components in a single device such as authentication, encryption, content filtering, and other components. UTM helps in protecting the networks from external threats and also helps in monitoring the internal activities of the network.
UTM devices can be deployed at various entry points of the network like there are UTM firewalls, UTM routers, and so on. Also, it can help organizations to implement Zero Trust Networking Frameworks. This is to evaluate and validate the endpoint connections at various entry points of their networks.
This management can detect suspicious activities and applications easily that are entering the network through any entry point. So, these suspicious applications and users can be either denied access or allowed with reduced privileges to enter the network. Once an application is allowed to enter the network, it will be evaluated for compliance with any policies defined by ZTNA Framework.
Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP)
The Software-Defined Perimeter is a logical boundary. This is between an organization’s secured networks/devices and outside networks/devices (Internet). For example, SDP could be implemented using firewalls at multiple entry points of an organization’s networks.
That is by using one or more approaches like micro-segmentation or multi-layered approach. Since each firewall may be configured with different levels of filtering criteria based upon the risk levels associated. Thus, it allows an organization to limit access to high-risk endpoints to specific domains or subnets within the organizational network.
For example, an endpoint may be approved for accessing a specific subnet. This is a large organizational network for a defined set of operations. If that endpoint tries to access another subnet that is not required for its operations, it will be denied access.
Also, it will not be able to operate on that subnet without any further approvals from Zero Trust Networking Framework. It provides an automated mechanism for enforcing all security policies centrally across the organization’s entire network infrastructure. These UTM devices may have multiple components like authentication, encryption, and content filtering together in a single device.