The implementation of cloud systems in every organization and the increasing threat of cyber-attacks required the revolutionizing of current security systems. A traditional security infrastructure that is perimeter-based leaves most organizations susceptible to attacks and security breaches that they are unable to counter.
Therefore the Zero-Trust system is the future of all cyber security, and most organizations will likely adopt it in the near future.
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What Is Zero-Trust Cyber Security?
As the name suggests, a Zero-Trust cyber security protection system trusts no one; this includes people within the organization and outside of it. It functions with an “assumed-breach” principle, which suggests a threat of a security breach inside and outside the system even when there is none. This way, everyone, including people outside and inside the organization, needs to be authorized before gaining access to the system.
Zero-Trust systems incorporate dynamic, granular, and risk-based verification controls in automating security.
A Zero-Trust infrastructure also recognizes high-privilege accounts that have access to sensitive information and has authentication and verification steps for them before they reach the core of the network.
A Zero-Trust mindset incorporates the following assumptions
- Continuous dynamic monitoring and management of the system is necessary
- Deploying aggressive defense operations wherever possible
- Any request for network authorization and official resources could be malware
- The organization’s infrastructure, including all data and devices, are constantly under threat of being compromised
- There is risk involved in giving any approval for access to the system, and aggressive defense mechanisms and recovery protocols must be deployed whenever triggered
- Must verify every user, inside and outside of the system, before they gain access to any information
Why Is It Necessary?
In a traditional system, security was tight for any party that did not belong to the organization. They could not access the network without being authorized. However, everyone inside the organization was trusted by default and had access to the entire system. The problem this created was that if any third-party personnel gained access to the network, there would be a threat of a security breach. As software and coding languages evolved, this became easier and more frequent.
The Covid-19 pandemic further magnified the need for an improved security system for the online world. As nearly every organization shifted their resources online, they became bigger targets for cyber-security threats. One of the reasons for this increase in danger is that most systems that moved online did not have enough sophisticated security embedded in their infrastructure since most of their work and resources were limited to a building. Keeping an eye on employees during remote work became increasingly difficult. Many companies had to adopt new security systems overnight to maintain their performance. However, many organizations had to face security breaches since they were not updated with innovative security practices.
The threats to traditional systems became increasingly more frequent and sophisticated with the evolution of technology and software. Many recent cyber-attacks have exposed weaknesses in more developed systems as well. So it became evident that as long as third-party access to systems was common without sufficient verification and defense mechanisms in place, cyber-security threats would remain.
Therefore, a Zero-Trust system is innovative yet a bit desperate too, as a security measure; however, this system is necessary to keep critical data and resources safe from any threats.
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Principles Of The Zero-Trust Infrastructure
The basic principle and the concept behind Zero-Trust is very simple: “Never trust, always verify.” Zero-Trust systems have embarked to make cyber-security as tight as possible with this simple concept in mind.
Aggressive Verification And Validation Of Authorized Personnel
Zero-Trust systems ensure that they only grant access to users after they have verified their identity. Not only do Zero-Trust systems verify the user’s identity, but they also ensure that the device in use has been validated. Continuous re-verification of the users and devices is also a big part of Zero-Trust security.
A Zero-Trust system constantly monitors the number of devices part of the system and ensures that they are authorized to be a part of it. If the system detects any suspicious activity or sees a non-authorized device trying to log in, it deploys defense mechanisms to prevent security breaches. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is another principle that all Zero-Trust systems follow. This verification method no longer relies on a single password to ensure access to a user. Users need to provide multiple evidence to gain access to the system. We already have examples of MFAs in place where before logging into your Gmail account, you need to enter your password and ensure access from another device such as a cellphone or a tablet.
Zero-Trust systems enact a “Least privilege” policy even with this system in place. The system ensures that users only access as much data and resources as is necessary and no more. In this way, many users cannot reach the core of the network without taking away from their user experience.
Limiting Movement
Once users have access to a part of a system, it is ensured that they do not gain access to anything unnecessary.
One example of limiting movement involved micro-segmentation, which divides the system into “segments,” and each segment has its verification methods to approve the user’s entry.
Zero-Trust systems also prevent lateral movement of personnel within the system. Lateral movement refers to a person moving within the network after being granted access. Zero-Trust limits the activities of potential attackers. If an attack is detected, the system will deploy defense mechanisms to ensure that it does not happen or its impact is limited.
Curbing The Impact Of Security Breaches
Granting users the least privilege access and micro-segmentation of the system also limits the impact of any security breach that may occur. So even if a part of a system is compromised, the effect does not compromise the entire network.
How To Implement Zero-Trust Cyber Security Protection?
Many organizations have, at this point, acknowledged the need for this system in the near future. However, the zero-trust aspect of the system, i.e., the excessive verification and segmentation of the infrastructure, makes many organizations a bit apprehensive regarding the implementation of this system.
Zero-Trust protection systems are still in their developmental stages and will evolve, like all technological systems. Implementation of the system is not that difficult in our tech climate. Here are some of the steps you can follow:
Careful Monitoring Of Traffic Movement
Regular traffic movement in most systems is uniform and depends on the system’s DAAS (Data, Applications, Assets, and Services). Monitoring traffic movement around the DAAS will help the system pick up on irregularities and confront them as necessary.
Focus On The Protect Area Rather Than The Attack Area
Instead of minimizing the areas susceptible to attack, organizations must deploy forces to protect all sites that could cause major security breaches. For example, a company’s DAAS usually needs to most protection. So tightening the security around the DAAS will enable a solid system implementation.
Define The Access To Resources
Always define the access to the available resources. Define who can access the resources, what application and device they are using, why they need the access, when it is accessed, where the segment is located, and how the segment is accessed.
Irregularities in these definitions can be caught by the system and confronted accordingly.
Develop The Network
A Zero-Trust Network is still in the process of development, and currently, there is no singular, defined architecture that a Zero-Trust system can use. After defining access to the system and monitoring traffic movement, you can set up a firewall and create a boundary around the protected surface. You can add as many layers of security to the system as necessary.
The Zero-Trust system will also mature and evolve like any other system. It cannot be perfected overnight. Once the system is in use, developers and engineers will continuously improve and develop the system.
Practical Uses Of Zero-Trust Systems
Even though Zero-Trust systems focus primarily on security, they intend to revolutionize security without compromising on the user experience. Therefore even if the rigid measures of protection seem impractical, there are practical uses of the system in the world today.
Perhaps the best example of how a Zero-Trust system is beneficial is with regards to user credentials. Since the early days of technology, users have needed a username and password or something synonymous to the two to access a system. If an unauthorized user gains an authorized person’s credentials, they can use any device and be a part of that system and manipulate it to the best of their capabilities.
A Zero-trust system will have MFA in place, requiring the user to have more than just a username and password to gain access to the system. Other than that, not every device can log in to the system either. So just a breach of the credentials will not compromise the system at all.
Another example is regarding the movement of the attacker within the system. If an attacker gains access to the system, they will still not be trusted by the system. They will need to undergo constant verification, and their movement through the system will be mapped. Any irregularity caught by the system will either isolate the attacker or deploy other means of defensive confrontation.
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Challenges In Place For Zero-Trust Systems
Naturally, the Zero-Trust cyber security protection system still has to face a myriad of challenges before it can successfully be adapted into technology today.
First of all, the adaptation process to switch to an entirely new system requires years. It is not just replacing your old system with a new one and continuing with your routine. A Zero-Trust system requires users to completely reimagine and redefine their system, which cannot be done instantaneously since it will drastically compromise services. Organizations need to accept the need for the system and then slowly adapt to it over the span of several years. Naturally, this makes many organizations apprehensive, especially if their resources and work have been running efficiently without being compromised.
Secondly, the system will need to be maintained and developed over time. This means that the system cannot be left unattended, and the company will need to utilize more of its resources trying to adopt a new approach. This will also affect their work in the short run, but such a vast change is difficult to accept for most organizations.
Other than that, the Zero-Trust system is not really a Zero-Trust system. If the system really did not trust anyone, no one would have access to the network. This does leave some room for security breaches, especially internal ones. There are real people at the core of the network who need to monitor it to prevent it from going rogue. This will also require more development to overcome.
Lastly, there is a chance that a Zero-Trust system is not really a Zero-Trust system. The system could cause unproductivity and issues with the staff. A continuously developing security system will also encounter bugs now and then. These bugs can lock people out of their workstations and dashboards due to the rigid monitoring practices, which could slightly hamper productivity.
All of these issues will slowly be overcome by the Zero-Trust cyber security protection system. Again, the system has not been perfected and needs time to take over in the real world. There are many more benefits than challenges to the system, and in the long run, it seeks only to benefit the users.
Conclusion
Zero-Trust security systems are undoubtedly the future of cyber-security. The system looks forward to replacing traditional cyber-security methods, so that entire organizations are no longer relying on a single password or access to a device. These systems have already begun implementations in big organizations, and they are setting examples of good zero-trust practices in the practical world. Shortly, we will be able to see perfect use-cases of zero-trust systems.
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