Consequently, Zero Trust requires strict verification for every user and every device before authorizing them to access internal resources.
We can consider Zero Trust as a framework for network security that incorporates several different principles and technologies
Why Zero Trust? Why do we need a new security framework?
The traditional IT network security model is based on the castle-and-moat concept, in which it’s very hard to get access from outside the network, but everyone inside the network is trusted by default. The problem with this approach, as you’ve probably might have guessed, is that the moment an attacker gets access to our network they have free access to all of our resources.Although nowadays this model seems very wrong it made sense and it was secure enough in the past, because years ago the cloud didn’t exist and all network resources were well protected under a single centralized security control for the entire network.
There are a few reasons why the old model is no longer valid. Let’s see some of them:
Perimeter Erosion
Today, the organizations’ data don’t reside in just one place, it is spread across multiple cloud vendors which makes it no longer possible to have a clear difference between what we consider inside or outside our network. In addition, the rise of remote work means employees frequently access network resources from outside the traditional perimeter, through various devices and networks.Sophisticated Threats:
- Advanced Attacks: Modern cyber threats, such as advanced persistent threats (APTs) and zero-day exploits, can bypass perimeter defences.
- Insider Threats: The old model did not adequately address threats from insiders or compromised internal accounts, which can cause significant damage.
Increased Attack Surface:
- IoT and BYOD: The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies increase the number of entry points into the network.
- Microservices and APIs: Modern applications use microservices and APIs that span across different environments, challenging the notion of a single, defendable perimeter.
Lateral Movement:
- Post-Breach Activity: Once an attacker breaches the perimeter, the lack of internal segmentation allows them to move laterally across the network, accessing sensitive data and systems with little resistance.
Compliance and Data Protection:
- Regulatory Requirements: Compliance with data protection regulations requires more granular control and visibility over data access and usage, which the castle-and-moat model does not provide.
Lack of Visibility and Control:
- Blind Spots: Relying solely on perimeter defenses can create blind spots within the network, where malicious activity goes unnoticed.
Principles of Zero Trust
These are the principles that we should follow to implement a zero-trust security model for our network:- Continuous Verification: Constantly verify the identity and trustworthiness of users, devices, and applications.
- Least Privilege Access: Limit user and device access to only what is necessary for their roles and tasks, reducing the potential impact of breaches.
- Microsegmentation: Break down the network into smaller, isolated segments to prevent lateral movement of threats within the network.
- Assume Breach: Operate under the assumption that the network is already compromised and design defences accordingly.
- Encryption: Encrypt data both at rest and in transit to protect it from unauthorized access.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Implement continuous monitoring and real-time analysis to detect and respond to threats quickly.
By implementing a Zero Trust architecture, organizations can better protect their resources, improve visibility into network traffic, and minimize the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks.