Zero trust architecture is an approach to digital security that helps businesses protect internal assets more effectively by tightening protection for distributed business networks.
Building a zero trust architecture has several concrete benefits, like reducing liability and improving risk mitigation. It also helps minimize the network's attack surface, making it more difficult to breach. Basically, zero trust setups decrease the lateral capability of threats to a system.
There are a few core concepts we can use to illustrate the transformative impact of zero trust on systems.
Continuous verification: In some of the most effective zero trust setups, the system continuously verifies information and transactions, ensuring robust analysis that might otherwise be absent from a cybersecurity plan.
Segmentation: Segmenting information systems means there is a barrier for a cyberattack to cross into a different area of the network. Some experts call this "limiting the blast zone" for a threat incident.
'Least permission' setting or policy: Zero trust architectures often involve granting system access based on the principle of least privilege. This means that access is granted on a "need to know" basis, so only individuals who require specific access will receive it through identity and access management systems.
Data aggregation: Ongoing monitoring and logging help compile more information to provide better cybersecurity. Systems provide "cybersecurity business intelligence" by identifying potentially dangerous network activity and scrutinizing how traffic moves through a network.
Dynamic authorization: Unlike other systems where authorization is often a standard process, zero trust systems tend to have dynamic authorization protocols that adjust based on factors like environment, time, and user identity. This is another aspect of controlling a network in a more granular way, with a more informed approach to cybersecurity. The zero trust network may also implement tools through different network layers moreso than traditional systems.
Implementing a zero trust architecture provides your team with more granular control over internal assets, allowing any observers to gain deeper insight into system activities.
This comprehensive overview leads to better risk mitigation, which can enhance a company's overall security credentials and help them comply with industry or government standards. If, for example, a business has to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), that effort is better served by systems that more tightly control access to data, in this case, Protected Health Information (PHI). Zero trust helps ensure that data doesn't end up in the wrong hands or out in the open for everyone to see.
There's also active damage control, as zero trust architectures can minimize the impact of cyberattacks on the network. By implementing closer segmentation and more careful administration of each component, attacks cannot move around inside the network, reducing the potential damage.
Zero trust architectures also support productivity, helping to fine-tune a system for ongoing use. By incorporating more dynamic policies, the network is better serviced, improving work processes and network administration.
Considering all these benefits, a zero trust architecture should be standard practice for most business systems.
Note: Some tools and practices of zero trust merge with other ERP components, like Identity and Access Management (IAM). There's also some overlap with principles like endpoint protection, edge computing, and other modern standards for circling the wagons. Companies like Hypershift can help your organization with implementation.
Some common concrete steps show how businesses can move toward developing a zero trust architecture.
Build an inventory: This strategic move allows you to thoroughly protect your networks and precisely define your attack surface, an essential aspect of zero trust architecture.
Develop controls: This empowers you to determine the best approach to incorporating controls into your network, ensuring more detailed oversight and administration of its contents and thereby strengthening its security.
Create policies: These policies serve as the guiding principles for your zero-trust architecture, effectively protecting the system. They function as your enterprise network's 'rules of the road,' providing you with a clear path to follow in your network security efforts.
Brainstorm the entire life cycle: Think about all of the processes in a business network, from onboarding to decommissioning of devices, and all sorts of necessary business processes. Then, consider how zero trust can have a positive effect on each of them.
Assess and monitor: After your zero trust architecture is built, ongoing maintenance and figuring out how to improve it continues. Assessments are helpful. These can take many forms, with specific software packages and tools for determining how to maintain zero trust principles.
One issue is cost—are new designs too costly? Can the business afford the tools and resources to make this work?
In this case, it may help to set up 'bid alternates,' where multiple options with multiple price tags are available, and the business can choose the one that fits its budget.
There's also quite a bit of effort involved—does the business have to have in-house staff, or do they need to hire consultants?
Next, consider buy-in, which relates to these two points. If zero trust architectures aren't popular with certain leadership levels, they may be underfunded or not implemented at all.
And what about hardware? If you're in the early stages of migrating to the cloud or haven't at all, you face the added challenge of working with outdated and obsolete legacy systems.
Contact Hypershift as we specialize in helping companies to implement zero trust architectures in their business networks.
What is zero trust?
Zero trust involves shifting defenses from a static level and actively applying them to users, assets, and resources. In a zero trust system, a user never receives implicit access. Instead, access is denied by default, and permissions are granted as needed within that framework.
What is an example of a zero trust architecture?
An architecture that operates on the assumption of minimal access is known as zero trust architecture. It limits user access to the bare minimum, with "entry-level" users only able to access basic website pages and not sensitive information or controls. Users can then gain "trust" by becoming privileged users and accessing other parts of the architecture.
What is zero trust network access?
Zero-trust network access uses a 'least information' type of access system, assigning access only to users who need to use a particular part of the network. As mentioned above, zero-trust access proceeds from the idea that only vetted and credentialed users should have access to sensitive internal resources.
What is the first place to start with zero trust architecture?
Commonly, the first step is to take an inventory and see what the business wants to protect. Then, business leaders move forward with strategy. The inventory helps establish what the company is protecting, and then, business teams figure out the best ways to protect these assets.
What is the biggest challenge to implementing zero trust?
The biggest challenge for many businesses is cost and internal effort. Consultants can help make this process more feasible and more efficient. There are also potential issues with renovating an existing architecture, integrating cybersecurity tools, and adding data or functionality through APIs.
What is the benefit of implementing zero trust?
The core benefit of building zero trust architectures is to better protect networks and systems. Businesses will limit access, which lowers liability. There will be less blanket vulnerability for sensitive parts of the system. Those principles decrease risk and make a network better organized.