What is Zero Trust and Why is it So Important?
Zero Trust яis a foundational element of Adaptive — a philosophical approach to security, which, in my opinion, is essential for every business present on the Internet.
Traditional methods that focused on establishing a secure perimeter no longer work, as resources (data, applications, infrastructure, devices) are becoming increasingly hybrid or extend completely beyond it. With Zero Trust, no user is trusted until verified. It’s a holistic, strategic security approach that ensures every user and every device granted access is exactly who they claim to be.
Three Elements of Zero Trust
Zero Trust security is actually quite simple. It’s based on three core principles:
- Verify every user;
- Verify every device;
- Intelligently restrict access.
Of course, this is easier said than done, but for organizations that embrace Zero Trust as a fundamental security philosophy, security becomes an integral part of not just every device but every staff member working in the company.
Verify Every User
This may seem obvious, but not all people are who they claim to be. And when organizations rely on just one method of verification, such as Single Sign-On (SSO), their data may be at risk. Single Sign-On has many security advantages, but if an account is stolen, or someone doesn’t lock their computer when stepping away from their desk, it can lead to a security breach.
To avoid this issue, SSO must be balanced with other technologies such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Combined with SSO, it creates a tight security network around the organization’s system.
Verify Every Device
Today, almost every device is protected by some kind of password, which is definitely a good thing. However, passwords are just one piece of the puzzle. To ensure true security, devices must also have adaptive MFA.
When MFA is combined with device management and proper security policies, it allows informed decisions to be made about access.
Intelligently Restrict Access
The final element of Zero Trust is understanding who is using the organization’s resources. It’s important to ask: Who are we granting access to, what do they need to work, and how are we managing this? Make sure users have access to the resources they need when they need it, and that their access is adjusted as their roles change.
Zero Trust Advantage
Adopting a Zero Trust strategy reduces the likelihood of security breaches by 50%. In addition to protecting data, companies also save up to 40% on technology, as everything is integrated.
Most importantly, a reliable security strategy helps companies achieve their goals by creating products and services that customers love.
