What is Zero Trust? A Model for More Effective Security

Not only are giant companies in the world stepping up their network security features with Zero Trust, but even first-world state governments also are not left out.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the U.S. disclosed its strategy to gear the government toward the Zero-trust security model to heighten cybersecurity outcomes. This strategy is part of delivering President Biden’s Executive Order on strengthening the nation’s security increasingly against attacks.

What Exactly Is Zero Trust About?

Zero Trust is a cybersecurity strategy that means “trust no one by default.” And that is, even if they had been previously authenticated or are incorporated with a managed network such as LAN, they must be rechecked to assure that they are not potential threats to a network.

The Zero Trust architecture assumes that a complex security framework is prone to compromise from internal or external threats. Hence, it helps counter the threats by strategizing and organizing a more tactical approach.

Any device, network, or user that must gain access with Zero Trust must earn it first by providing a valid identity. A network system must be able to identify you before determining what resources you can leverage. This authorization process helps to tighten network security protocols further.

Zero Trust Principles

Generally, the Zero Trust architecture principles combine software, firmware, infrastructure, and data in isolation of different services or parts for an assured infrastructure. Some of the main tenets backing up Zero Trust include that:

• All computing services and data sources are categorized as resources.

• A dynamic policy determines if resources can be accessed or not.

• Every device connected to an organization is reserved in the most secure state possible.

• Communication channels are secured from all points.

• Curate every necessary information on the present state of the network to determine areas that should be adequately bolstered for improved security.

• Individuals and devices can only access resources on a per-session basis.

• All authorization and authentication of resources are dynamic and enforced strictly.

By implementing the most rigid security protocols possible in addition to your IT teams’ efforts, you are removing accountability on the part of the end-user and instituting the Zero Trust Security model.

Here Are A Few More Crucial Reasons To Consider Implementing Zero Trust Into Your Security System

It Improves User Behavior

Zero Trust instills discipline into user behaviors at every level of establishing a connection to the network, which would also impact their private lives.

It Fosters Best Security Practices

Users will be able to investigate requests directly instead of IT teams tendering a request to open a firewall port to a specific point. It also allows users to investigate who uses their request and what it’s being used for.

It is Cost-Effective

Zero Trust has reduced security risks and saved organizations time, money, and energy.

How to Implement Zero Trust

Implementing Zero Trust depends on six primary objectives.

1. No Trust By Default – Always Verify.

Aside from consistently verifying user identity, programs, devices, services, and workloads shouldn’t be exempted. 

Identity verification should also decrease the truckload of accounts and passwords used and eliminate local accounts. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) must also be applied, while you must know that whoever will be given access will not compromise the system.

2. Understand The Context Behind Every Request

Contextual requests must be understood with a thorough review before they are approved. Hence, every access should be based on what is needed and the time required to achieve it.

3. Grant Least Privilege Access

In doing this, consider implementing machine-based access management, one-time use access management, just-in-time access management, location-based access management, group-based access management, and working hours-based access management.

4. Audit Constantly

Audit every activity during a privileged session. You can consider steady video recording of reviewable sessions on computers with sensitive data. Aside from this procedure helping in computer forensics, it will also help you pin down the action to a specific user.

5. Employ Adaptive Controls

The Zero Trust security model must be able to adapt to the risk context. And this means that even when an authenticated user is situated in a risky area, a more intense verification procedure should be conducted before granting access.

6. Protect Your Admin Premise

Avoid direct access from user workstations with access to the internet and emails that are porous in terms of security and can be easily infected or attacked. Every access that must be established to privileged resources must be done through a clean source.

Read more about Zero Trust here.