What Is Zero Trust Security, and How Does It Work?

Zero trust has emerged as a foundational security strategy designed to solve the complexities of the modern IT world. This proactive model operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” thereby significantly enhancing cybersecurity defences in environments increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated threats. In recognition of its importance, many organisations are adopting the trust model to enhance their security posture. Zero trust cultivates a culture of heightened security awareness at all levels of an organisation, promoting vigilance and responsibility in protecting vital assets. By adopting this comprehensive strategy, organisations can effectively mitigate the risks associated with security breaches.

What is Zero Trust Security?

Zero-trust security is a modern security approach that avoids the traditional castle-and-moat model and favours a more robust and proactive model. Unlike conventional models that grant automatic trust to entities within a network perimeter, the trust model mandates robust verification for every person and device seeking access to resources regardless of their location.

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a core component of this security model. However, it transcends mere technological solutions, encompassing a comprehensive range of principles and technologies.

The traditional security model operates within the caste-and-moat paradigm, where the device and users are trusted once inside the network. This approach is inherently risky because if the attacker manages to gain access inside the perimeter, they gain unfettered access to all the network’s resources. On the other hand, the zero-trust model adopts a trust-no-one approach, markedly reducing the risk of lateral movement within the network. Attackers often employ this common tactic to exploit the vulnerabilities once they enter the perimeter.

Let’s understand the zero-trust security in detail.

How Does a Zero-Trust Architecture Work?

Zero-trust architecture requires robust verification of every individual and party seeking access to the network or applications regardless of their position within or outside the traditional network perimeter. User or identify verification is triggered by various events, including alteration in the device configurations, geographical location, log-in frequency or the number of unsuccessful login attempts.

The Protect Surface

A critical protection step in zero-trust infrastructure involves identifying and delineating the Protect surface based on data, application, service or assets. It is defined by the acronym DAAS:

• Data: Identify the specific data that requires protection.
• Applications: Determine which application contains sensitive data and can be targetted by malicious actors.
• Assets: Identify all the critical assets, such as servers, databases, or proprietary technology, to implement robust protection.
• Services: Recognize services that, if compromised, can disrupt operations such as cloud servers or email.

Establishing this protective surface is crucial as it allows you to focus on what must be protected rather than defending an over-expanded attack surface.

A zero-trust policy involves creating microperimetry to isolate critical data and components. These perimeters function as highly secure units within the overall network. At the edge of perimeters, a zero-trust network deploys a robust segmentation gateway to meticulously scrutinise incoming and outgoing traffic. The segmentation gateway leverages advanced technologies such as the Layer 7 firewall to ensure stringent security.

A layer seven firewall inspects and controls traffic based on application data for more granular and context-aware security policies, enabling the gateway to make informed decisions about granting or denying access.

Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a robust strategy that verifies a user’s identity by asking them to provide multiple credentials. Traditionally, relying on passwords carries some risks, and if compromised, bad actors can easily gain authorised access. MFA mandates multiple identification methods, significantly raising the barrier to stop unauthorised access. For example, MFA might demand a combination of something the user knows (like a password), something they have (such as a physical token or smartphone app), or something like fingerprint or facial recognition). Each factor adds layers of security, making it exponentially more difficult for malicious actors to bypass authentication.

Endpoint Verification

Endpoint verification is crucial in strengthening the zero-trust security approach because it requires the user and endpoint to present the credentials to the network. Each endpoint
possesses its own unique authentication layer, necessitating users to prove their legitimacy before gaining access.

Microsegmentation

Microsegmentation is another crucial strategy in a zero-trust security approach that entails creating smaller and isolated zones to enhance security and control over sensitive information. Each segment is tightly controlled to reduce the attack surface and limit points of entry to sensitive data or infrastructure. This approach aligns closely with the principles of a zero-trust security model, where trust is never implicitly granted based on network location or user identity.

Least Privilege Access

Least privilege access is the core pillar of zero-trust security, restricting users and devices to access only the resources necessary for their specific roles or tasks.

Conclusion

Implementing a trusted approach is crucial for organisations to mitigate the risks of cyber threats. Through authentication and strict security strategies, zero-trust frameworks ensure that access to critical assets is rigorously validated at every interaction. This approach enhances overall security and fosters greater resilience in the face of evolving threats and regulatory requirements. As businesses embrace digital transformation, integrating Zero Trust principles will safeguard sensitive data and maintain trust in an interconnected world.

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