What is Zero Trust Cybersecurity?

The Zero Trust cybersecurity protocol considers each device connected to a network a threat until it is verified. Every device’s credential is verified, and only then is network access provided. Zero Trust cybersecurity becomes essential in an environment where a single deceitful device could cause significant disruptions. From an insider’s perspective, we have provided a detailed guide on Zero Trust Cybersecurity, including critical information on advantages, errorless implementation, and staying ahead of next-gen changes in cybersecurity.

Understanding Trustless Cybersecurity

The primary philosophy behind trustless cybersecurity is “Guilty until proven innocent.” It uses a protocol where every device connected to a network must establish its credentials before it gains access to network resources. It supposes that every device connected to the network is potentially harmful.

In modern cybersecurity scenarios where even stakeholders are turning malicious, Zero Trust Cybersecurity aims to eliminate all points of unverified access.

For example, in the case of the Target data breach in 2013, where the personal data of 40 million customers were compromised, a vendor’s access was used to carry out the attack. Multi-layer authentication, an aspect of Zero Trust Cybersecurity, would have prevented such unauthorized access.

Core Principles of Zero Trust Cybersecurity

A zero-trust architecture is based on three well-established principles:

● Continual Validation

Every user is continually validated by a background check once every defined interval. Some checks also map user activity with past data to detect changes in behavior.

Suppose a user logs in from New York and breaks the session. The same user also logged in from Singapore 15 minutes later. Such activity is bound to be malicious.

● Reduced Attack Surface

Even if the attack takes place, a zero-trust model minimizes the affected zone after an attack. Once a deceitful actor gets inside, its access is limited as small as possible.

An example is Spam Emails that cross the spam filter and are scanned so that users are prevented from downloading files from them.

● Individual Context-based Access

Each login gets limited access based on their role. A person in an executive role should not have access to files which are means for senior managers.

An example is WordPress’s user tiering. A subscriber can only view the website. A contributor can view and write but cannot edit. An editor can only edit limited portions of the website. Finally, an administrator has full access.

Evolving Threats

The Europol report states that criminals could use newly evolving threats such as deep fake technology to create an exact clone of original credentials, including facial recognition and voice recognition, and commit CEO fraud. CEO fraud involves generating a video image of a CEO using deep fake technology to request money or investments.

Cloud-based cyber attacks are becoming common. Cloudflare published an incident report where a “crypto launchpad” was targeted with a record 15 million requests per second.

Another interesting case is of IoT device compromise. These devices run on rudimentary forms of operating systems and often lack security. But they also require email ID-based logins. Hackers can easily access these passwords entered on IoT devices, steal sensitive information like bank passwords, exploit password reset mechanisms, steal personal files, etc.

Finally, focussing on emerging technology, there is a risk from 5G networks as well. 5G networks use slicing to create multiple networks inside the physical network. These increase the surface for attacks. Several IoT devices and other unsecured endpoints can be exploited, resulting in the compounding of losses.

The Need for a Proactive Approach

Zero Trust Cybersecurity is a proactive approach because it does not rely on traditional methods, which are triggered only during or after an incident. Rather it takes a multi-layer constant verification approach toward identifying stakeholders before granting them access to system resources. Moreover, even if an attacker gains access to the system, it limits their access to contain the damage.

Advantages of a Zero Trust Cybersecurity

There are several advantages of using a Zero Trust Cybersecurity Model in a modern landscape where threats constantly evolve. Some key advantages are:

1. Minimizing Attack Surface

As discussed above, even if a malicious actor gains access to system resources, their activity is limited continuously depending upon their caused damage.

2. Secure Remote Workforce

Security for a remote workforce becomes a tough challenge because each connection type is different, and login locations are spread worldwide. Even if unauthorized password sharing occurs, the Zero Trust model can detect this and restrict access.

3. Continuous Verification

Each stakeholder is continually verified based on their past activities to ensure that people are acting in good faith. Further, if an unusual activity takes place, it can be authenticated simultaneously.

4. Simplify IT Bills and Management

A zero-trust model is based on automated evaluation and therefore frees up the need for additional staff or resources. Not every login has to be multi-layer authenticated. Only suspicious activity needs verification. Therefore, it results in much fewer system resources to operate as compared to traditional methods.

Implementing Zero Trust Cybersecurity

The following are the brief points of implementing Zero Trust Cybersecurity.

1. Preparation
2. Assess the current security landscape
3. Identify and prioritize critical assets and data
4. Determine the scope and scope of the Zero Trust implementation

1. Identity and Access Management
2. Establish a robust authentication and authorization process
3. Implement multi-factor verification
4. Standardize user identities

III. Network Segmentation

1. Create secure zones and micro-segments
2. Control access based on identity and role
3. Establish strong network perimeter controls

1. Endpoint Security
2. Ensure all devices are secure and up-to-date
3. Implement device management and control policies
4. Monitor and detect malicious activity

1. Continuous Monitoring and Assessment
2. Use automated tools to monitor and detect anomalies
3. Conduct regular risk assessments and audits
4. Continuously adapt and update security controls

1. Awareness and Training
2. Educate users on Zero Trust security principles
3. Provide regular security awareness training
4. Encourage secure behavior and practices

VII. Maintenance and Updates

1. Regularly review and update security controls
2. Stay informed on the latest threats and trends
3. Maintain a continuous improvement mindset.

How to stay ahead of the curve?

Staying updated with the latest information is highly essential in a landscape where threats are based on advanced technologies themselves. To secure your systems with the highest level of security, schedule a free consultation with Metaorange Digital. A 15-min discovery call can help you understand how we optimize your security and increase its efficiency to the maximum.

Also, stay updated with the latest blogs to discover more information about Cybersecurity, Cloud, DevOps, and many more cutting-edge technologies.

Conclusion

Zero Trust cybersecurity is an approach where each access to the system resources is authenticated and continually monitored. Usage patterns are analyzed to identify suspicious behavior and simultaneously authenticated. Any unauthorized access is restricted based on perceived threat levels.

The model has several benefits for companies working with a remote workforce. Continuous and automated verification helps reduce the workload of humans and save resources and, therefore, can reduce bills.

Overall the zero-trust cybersecurity model is a solid defense against modern-day cybersecurity threats.

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