Protecting sensitive data and fortifying cybersecurity defenses are essential. That’s where zero trust security emerges as a game-changer.
In traditional security models, organizations typically rely on a solid perimeter defense to protect their internal network. However, zero trust security is an approach to cybersecurity that challenges traditional perimeter-based security models.
For example, with less advanced security, once a user or device gains access to the network, they are often trusted and given wide-ranging access to resources. This assumption of trust can be risky, as it leaves the organization vulnerable to attacks that may occur after the initial access is granted.
The zero trust model aims to stop these vulnerabilities in its tracks.
In this blog, we will delve into the power of zero trust security, exploring how it challenges traditional security paradigms and empowers organizations to safeguard their assets in an era of cyber threats.
What is zero trust security?
The zero trust model is based on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” It assumes that no user, device, or network component should be inherently trusted by default, regardless of their location within or outside the network. Every access request is considered potentially malicious until it is thoroughly authenticated and authorized.
Understanding and implementing the zero trust model is crucial for modern organizations because it provides a proactive and adaptive security approach that helps protect against cyber threats. By never assuming trust and continuously verifying access requests, organizations can minimize the risk of data breaches and safeguard critical resources.
10 Benefits of zero trust security
Amidst the growing complexity of cybersecurity threats, adopting a zero trust security model offers several benefits for organizations. Some of these include:
- It reduces the attack surface and minimizes the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches, leading to an improved cybersecurity posture.
- It ensures data is only accessible to authorized users and devices, reducing the chances of data leakage.
- It increases visibility and provides detailed insights into user and device behavior, helping detect anomalies and potential threats.
- It helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, compliances, and industry standards by enforcing strict access controls.
- It facilitates secure access to resources for remote employees, contractors, and partners without compromising security.
- It prevents attackers from moving freely within the network by applying strict access controls and segmentation.
- It enables rapid identification and containment of security incidents through real-time monitoring and automated response mechanisms.
- It can be adapted to accommodate organizational growth and changes in the IT landscape without sacrificing security.
- It can be integrated with other security solutions and tools, maximizing the effectiveness of the overall security infrastructure.
- It reduces reliance on perimeter-based security.
Zero trust principles: How it works
The zero trust model consists of various principles or pillars that form the foundation of its security approach. These pillars provide a comprehensive framework for implementing and maintaining a zero trust security plan.
While different sources may present slightly different pillars, here are the seven key pillars of zero trust security:
1. Verify
This pillar emphasizes the need to verify and authenticate every user and device attempting to access resources on the network. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is commonly employed to ensure that users provide multiple forms of identity verification before being granted access.
2. Strict access control
The strict access control pillar revolves around granting the least privilege necessary for users and devices to perform their tasks. Access should be granted on a need-to-know and need-to-have basis, reducing the attack surface and limiting the potential damage if an account is compromised.
3. Micro-segmentation
Micro-segmentation involves dividing the network into small, isolated segments. Each segment has its own access controls and policies, making it more challenging for attackers to move laterally across the network in case of a breach.
4. Continuous monitoring and analytics
This pillar focuses on real-time monitoring of user behavior, network traffic, and other security parameters. Advanced security analytics and behavioral analysis help detect potential security threats, enabling rapid responses.
5. Encryption
Data should be encrypted both in transit and at rest to protect it from unauthorized access. Encryption ensures that even if attackers manage to intercept data, they cannot read it without the proper decryption keys.
6. Device and user inspection
This pillar involves assessing the security posture and health status of devices and users before granting them access to the network. Devices must comply with security policies and be free from malware or vulnerabilities.
7. Adaptive access control
The adaptive access control pillar emphasizes adjusting access controls based on the user’s context, such as their location, time of access, and behavioral patterns. This context-aware security approach provides additional layers of protection.
Example of a zero trust policy: Device health check
A company wants to ensure that all devices are equipped with the highest standard of health and security. Therefore, they need a zero trust policy.
Here’s an example of how it might be implemented:
Policy: Before granting network access to any device, it must undergo a health check to ensure compliance with security standards and to verify that it poses no threats to the network.
Seven-step implementation:
- Create a device health policy. The organization defines a set of security requirements that all devices must meet before accessing the network. This policy includes up-to-date operating systems, antivirus software, firewall configurations, and the absence of any known vulnerabilities.
- Endpoint security solutions. Endpoint security software is implemented on all devices that connect to the network. This software will regularly scan the device for malware, check for software updates, and ensure compliance with security policies.
- Network access control (NAC). Next, they deploy a NAC solution that enforces the device health policy. When a device attempts to connect to the network, the NAC will perform a health check to verify its compliance with the established security requirements.
- Posture assessment and remediation. If a device fails the health check, the NAC will place it in a quarantine network with limited access. The user will then be prompted to address the issues, such as updating software or removing malware. Once the device meets the health requirements, it can join the main network.
- Continuous monitoring. The organization continuously monitors devices on the network to ensure they maintain compliance with security policies—any changes or deviations from the policy trigger alerts for immediate investigation.
- User education. The employees and users are educated about the importance of maintaining the health of their devices and adhering to security policies. They’re regularly reminded of their role in safeguarding the organization’s network.
- Policy review and updates. Finally, the organization regularly reviews the device health policy and makes necessary updates to address emerging threats and changes in its IT environment.
By implementing this zero trust security policy, the organization ensures that all devices connecting to the network meet a minimum standard of security hygiene.
This helps prevent the introduction of compromised devices onto the network, reducing the risk of potential security breaches and limiting the impact of attacks.
Zero trust security vs. the principle of least privilege
Zero trust security and the principle of least privilege (PoLP) are two distinct but complementary security frameworks that share the common goal of enhancing cybersecurity. The first way we can compare and contrast the two is by looking at their definitions:
- Zero trust: A security model that operates under the principle of “never trust, always verify.” It assumes that no user or device should be inherently trusted, and all access requests are thoroughly authenticated and authorized, regardless of their location or origination.
- Principle of least privilege: A security principle that dictates users and processes should be given the minimum level of access necessary to perform their legitimate tasks and nothing more. This approach limits the potential damage caused by a compromised account since attackers will have access only to a limited set of resources.
The next way to compare them is by looking at their focus:
- Zero trust focuses on verifying every access request, continuously monitoring network activity, and dynamically adapting access controls based on context-aware factors, such as user behavior and location.
- The principle of least privilege primarily focuses on restricting access permissions to the bare minimum required for the normal operation of users or processes. It aims to minimize the attack surface by limiting the scope of potential misuse or exploitation.
Next, let’s take a look at how they’re implemented:
- Implementing zero trust security often involves adopting various technologies, such as multi-factor authentication, network segmentation, and adaptive access controls. It requires a holistic approach to network security and may involve significant changes to an organization’s existing security system.
- Implementing the PoLP primarily involves defining and enforcing access control policies that grant users and processes only the minimum necessary privileges. This can be achieved through proper identity and access management practices and the use of role-based access control (RBAC) or similar mechanisms.
Both zero trust and the PoLP security frameworks play crucial roles in enhancing an organization’s cybersecurity posture. Zero trust emphasizes continuous verification and monitoring of access requests, while the least privilege principle focuses on reducing the potential impact of security breaches by limiting access permissions.
By combining these two frameworks, organizations can create a robust security method that minimizes risks and protects critical resources from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
How WinZip can help enable zero trust security for your organization
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By compressing and encrypting files, WinZip reduces the attack surface and enhances data protection, aligning with the “never trust, always verify” principle in zero trust. Download our report today to learn more about cybersecurity at your organization.