Zero Trust security requires verification from anybody attempting to access network resources, as no one is trusted by default from either the inside or outside of the network. It has been demonstrated that this extra security layer stops data breaches.
It isn’t, however, a particular class of security technology or a collection of tools. It’s a cybersecurity strategy, a way of thinking that forms the basis for current security. Zero-Trust policies presume that all activity is malicious and treat network breaches as givens. How can I safeguard my assets the best if I don’t trust the network itself, wonders Zero Trust?
“Never trust, always verify” is the tenet that guides Zero Trust. Further precautions are required to reduce risk because all users, platform providers, and network traffic are viewed as possible threats.
To put it simply, zero trust means that sensitive content is only accessible to the creator and approved recipients.
Why is Zero Trust Important?
A Zero-Trust strategy that involves data protection is becoming increasingly necessary due to various security breaches, misconfigured or exposed cloud services, large-scale consumer information breaches, and unsafe email sharing that expose your company’s intellectual property (IP). As cloud computing and IoT integrations grow in popularity, this trend will continue.
It is becoming more and more obvious that, despite its value, network security is no longer able to adequately secure sensitive data or take internal risks into consideration. Zero Trust is well-positioned to close this gap since it operates under the premise that your network security is inadequate.
What is a Zero Trust Network?
In order to lower the risk and reduce the impact of breaches, a zero trust network classifies all communication as untrusted and limits access to sensitive resources and confidential business data. On the other hand, a secure perimeter is necessary for traditional network security. Anything inside the perimeter is trusted, and anything outside the perimeter is not.
Zero Trust Network Security: The Basics
Long before computers were networked together, businesses were using a form of perimeter protection to secure their machines. Businesses that used mainframes could easily safeguard them by limiting access to the room in which they were installed. They could trust someone with access to data, programs, and other things once they had verified the user’s identity.
Organizations started using more advanced methods of access control as they connected networks. When government and academic researchers were connected by early computer networks, logins and passwords helped hold users accountable for their conduct. But it wasn’t long before it was clear that computers might be attacked. In order to prevent unauthorized users from accessing corporate networks, engineers created firewalls, multi-factor authentication, and other corporate security measures.
However, because networks are dynamic in the cloud era, perimeter security is insufficient. For example, when you use your phone to log onto a corporate network, your traffic passes via several servers, a cell tower, and WiFi before it even gets to the network. Your perimeter security may allow hackers to gain access to your home network if one of those servers malfunctions, your phone is infected with malware, or they gain access to your WiFi.
By viewing all network traffic as untrusted, a zero trust network reduces this risk. The bad guys are subject to strict network security at every stage, so they can’t just waltz past the guards and have unrestricted access.
Benefits of Zero Trust
1. It’s a framework to guide security resource allocation.
2. You can monitor all your data and log detailed user activity.
3. It enables cloud efficiency without increased risk.
4. It’s a low-cost, high-value shift.
