What is Zero Trust?

Zero trust is defined as a security strategy in which neither users nor devices are given the benefit of the doubt. As such, zero trust is a popular approach that organizations take toward IT security and cybersecurity strategies. Because of the way zero trust is designed, it is quickly becoming the standard for cybersecurity in modern businesses with modernized tech stacks.

If you’re curious to know how your cybersecurity posture stands up to the current standards, check out DOT Security’s Cybersecurity Checklist: How Covered is Your Business?

How Does Zero Trust Differ from Traditional Security Strategies?

Expounding on the definition of zero trust above, the security strategy assumes everything to be compromised until it’s proven that it isn’t. There are several factors involved in a zero trust solution, but the main principle is that every person and device connecting to the network must undergo strict verification and authentication processes.

Zero trust security takes a more restricted approach to cybersecurity, which differs from more traditional security strategies that deploy a castle-and-moat tactic. The castle-and-moat tactic assumes that people and devices within the castle (connected to the internal network) are safe and can be trusted, while anything outside the moat undergoes a security check.

One of the major issues with a castle-and-moat approach is that if a malicious actor is able to infiltrate your systems, it would be nearly impossible to detect and neutralize that threat before they got what they wanted.

Zero trust ignores the castle and the moat altogether. Rather, a zero trust philosophy assumes that there aren’t any real walls to the network. This comes directly from cloud services and the booming remote workforce which have essentially dissolved any semblance of traditional network perimeters.

The Different Pillars of Zero Trust

A high-quality and comprehensive cybersecurity strategy is comprised of several layers. Zero trust is no different and involves a variety of different methods that all work together to keep your network secure.

Some of the methodology used in zero trust strategies includes 24/7 network monitoring, implementing the philosophy of least-privilege, using multi-factor authentication (MFA), segmenting sensitive data, and deploying device and user access management tactics.

Let’s explore these different zero trust methodologies in more depth.

24/7 Network Monitoring

24/7 network monitoring is an integral aspect of any comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. This is because cyberattacks can occur at any time and can come from anywhere. With 24/7 monitoring, though, your security team will be able to identify threats and respond accordingly in real time.

Having strong visibility into your network is also important because cyberattacks are often silent. In other words, there are no alarm systems going off to alert the necessary authorities as there might be with a physical vault.

Rather, cybersecurity professionals can set up 24/7 system monitors with the help of sophisticated technology specifically designed to identify active threats within the network. By committing to a zero trust cybersecurity strategy, you’re getting the best possible visibility into your network.

Philosophy of Least Privilege

The philosophy of least privilege is a need-to-know approach to sensitive information and data throughout an organization. When employing the philosophy of least privilege, employees are only granted access to the information that’s absolutely necessary to their responsibilities.

Taking this restrictive approach to privilege throughout your organization also adds another layer of defense in the case of a successful cyber breach. Since employees can only access the data they need for their position, malicious actors who do manage to get in are limited in how much damage they can cause.

Not only that, but this security tactic, in concert with data segmentation (see below) helps to inhibit lateral movements by a malicious actor in the case of a breach. Ultimately, that makes it much easier for the cybersecurity team to find, isolate, and neutralize the threat.

Data Segmentation

Data segmentation is another zero trust tactic that inhibits a malicious user's ability to move laterally across a network once penetrated.

Data segmentation is the process of creating different credential-locked areas wherever you store your data. This means that an employee's credentials may allow them into one block of locked data, but not any other blocks. Segmentation can be either physical, logical, or both.

While philosophy of least privilege protects users against phishing scams and other social engineering scams, data segmentation protects the network from infiltration and lateral movement by breaking it into separate sub-networks.

By segmenting your data and securing it with additional credential checks, you’re taking yet another step toward mitigating how much damage can be done in the event of a successful cybersecurity breach.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication is also an identity management tool that organizations like Google and popular social media platforms use. Essentially, multi-factor authentication makes use of multiple points of authentication and user identity verification.

Multi-factor authentication plays another important role in a zero trust cybersecurity strategy. You already might be familiar with multi-factor authentication practices, especially if your organization is already using them.

There are many applications out there specifically built for enterprise MFA solutions, and this is an excellent way to start securing employee credentials throughout your organization. MFA typically works by asking for the users' credentials, then it re-verifies the identity of that user by sending them a one-time code. If using an MFA app like the Microsoft Authenticator, the code will appear in the application, otherwise it can be delivered via email or SMS.

Access Management

Similar to 24/7 network monitoring, zero trust cybersecurity policies require strict authentication of not just users, but devices as well. By keeping track of all the different devices attempting to access the network, from regions all over the world, your security team can keep watch over the health of your entire system.

Implementing strong access management tactics also gives visibility into the status of connected devices. Essentially, your security team will be able to tell if a connected device becomes compromised. From there, they can isolate, disconnect, and neutralize any threats on that compromised device, ultimately avoiding total disaster.

Wrapping up on Zero Trust

Taking a zero trust approach to your IT security framework and cybersecurity strategy is vital to creating and enforcing a comprehensive effort within your organization that’s up to the task of fighting off sophisticated modern cyber threats.

By implementing zero trust policies over castle –and moat tactics, you can steer your organization into the digital era with safety and security at top of mind.

Modern organizations need to stay on top of the ever-shifting world of cybersecurity. Get a better understanding of where your organization’s posture is now by reviewing DOT Security’s Cybersecurity Checklist: How Covered is Your Business?