Home Network Security

Network Security

What Is a Zero Trust Architecture?

Zero trust architecture operates on the idea that no users should be trusted by default, and it is bolstered by the trust principle of least privilege access and limited access to resources.

Components of Zero Trust Architecture
Benefits of Zero Trust Architecture
Implementing a Zero Trust Architecture
Zero Trust Architecture in Cloud and Hybrid Environments
Create a Solid Zero Trust Architecture with Perimeter81

Employees don’t need access to applications and data (at least not to all of them). Instead, provide access only to data that they need to do their jobs, and strictly enforce the access rules. Any devices that attempt to connect to your network perimeters need to be verified to ensure they belong to your employees and are being used by an authorized user.

Components of Zero Trust Architecture

Zero trust architecture covers a number of important security tools, but here are the essential components:

#1: Network Segmentation

Network segmentation divides areas of your network so that they aren’t mingling with other, unrelated areas.

For example, your customer’s personal data likely doesn’t need to be on the same server accessed by developers to build applications, and it doesn’t need to be accessible by your web designer.

Segmentation helps limit the access available to users from different segments.

#2: Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

Any traffic, whether it originates from inside or outside the network, should not be trusted until it has been authenticated. ZTNA enforces zero trust security policies and device identity verification to ensure proper access management (which is limited to authorized users who legitimately need the data they are trying to access.)

#3: Continuous Monitoring

Continuous monitoring allows you to see activity patterns that could indicate threats, and it can help you detect atypical behavior from an employee’s account.

That behavior could be an indicator of an attack or improper access attempts.

#4: Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) requires users to first use their usernames and passwords (or other login options) and then to verify their user identities with a second device or passcode.

Common examples include:

Text messages with codes
Authentication apps that send a push to a separate device.

Benefits of Zero Trust Architecture

Zero trust architecture offers a powerful security approach for organizations. Here’s how it benefits your business:

Stronger Defenses: Unlike traditional models that trust internal traffic, zero trust model verifies everything. This makes it harder for attackers to infiltrate your system, even with stolen credentials.
Insider Threat Protection: Human error and insider threats are a major security concern. Zero trust limits access to data and infrastructure for all users, minimizing potential damage from unintentional mistakes or malicious intent.
Faster Threat Response: Continuous monitoring in zero trust architecture helps catch threats quickly. This allows for a swift response, minimizing the impact and speeding up recovery. Additionally, zero trust policies around files and emails can help prevent malware infections.

Supercharge Your Business Security

Request Demo

Start Now

Implementing a Zero Trust Architecture

While zero trust architecture may seem complex, utilizing a ZTNA solution as part of your architecture can help you implement it well.

Some critical steps include:

Developing a Trust Policy

Establish what data or network segments each user needs to be able to access and the conditions under which that needed access could change.

For access control policies to be effectively enforced, all user roles and access policies should be clearly defined.

Creating Granular Access Control Policies

Traditional security posture trusts internal traffic, but with zero trust policies, internal traffic doesn’t have any privileges. All users must verify their identities and authenticate their credentials, but then you still have to decide what each user or user group can access within your network.

It’s best to be as specific and granular as possible for best results.

Dynamic Policy Enforcement

To some degree, the security tools you use should be able to adapt to changes in your environment and the threat landscape. Your security team should not have to make every update or rule change over time; a good solution will have some automation and potential machine-learning capabilities that can reduce your workload.

Monitoring and Responding to Suspicious Behavior

Always keep continuous monitoring options enabled so that you can receive alerts if suspicious behavior occurs.

Unusual activity is often cause for concern, and decreasing your response time also decreases your risk of a severe incident.

Supercharge Your Business Security

Request Demo

Start Now

Zero Trust Architecture in Cloud and Hybrid Environments

Utilizing cloud resources vastly increases your attack surface, which means you need to do more to secure your environment than you would if all of your infrastructure was on-site. Zero trust is especially important for protecting in the cloud or hybrid environments as it’s much easier for an attacker to impersonate an employee when there is regular remote access occurring.

Cloud-based applications should be treated with the same care. They are just as vulnerable to attack as any other cloud product or service, and they provide a potential vector for infiltrating your network.

Ensure that you also implement zero trust architecture for your applications to limit this risk.

Create a Solid Zero Trust Architecture with Perimeter81

As potential attack vectors increase, it’s important for organizations to ensure they are taking the proper precautions. Implementing strict and dynamic access control policies, using strong authentication tools, and creating a zero-trust architecture are highly effective ways to reduce your risk of attack, especially when your employees work remotely.

To learn more about zero-trust solutions, contact Perimeter81 today.

FAQs

What is a zero-trust security model?

A zero-trust security model is a security approach that revolves around the principle of “never trust, always verify.” This means all users and devices must be continuously authenticated and authorized before granting access to resources, regardless of location.

How is zero trust different from traditional security models that rely on implicit trust?

Traditional models often rely on implicit trust, meaning users within a network perimeter (like a company office) are automatically trusted. Zero trust eliminates this blind trust by constantly verifying access requests.

What are some key components of a zero-trust security framework?

– Strong Authentication Protocols: These protocols ensure users and devices are who they claim to be before granting access.
– Least Privilege Access: Users are only given access to the specific resources they need to perform their job functions (minimizing damage in case of a breach).
– Micro-segmentation: Networks are divided into smaller segments, limiting the blast radius if a breach occurs.

How does Real-time monitoring play a role in zero-trust security?

Real-time monitoring allows for continuous assessment of user activity and device health. This helps identify suspicious behavior and potential threats quickly.

What is the role of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) in zero trust?

SASE is a security solution that combines cloud-delivered network and security functions. It can play a vital role in implementing a zero-trust architecture by providing secure access to applications and resources from anywhere.

Do you have more questions? Let’s Book a Demo