One out of every four companies that use public cloud services reports that they have been attacked by cybercriminals. As the business world becomes increasingly digital and remote, cybersecurity and knowing how to better protect your company networks have become vital. The better businesses prepare themselves to ward off threats and remove bad actors attempting to gain access to their sensitive information, the better they will be able to protect their companies, their employees, and their customers.
Many businesses rely on perimeter checks, such as firewalls, to help them keep bad actors out. However, in the face of devastating public cybersecurity attacks, such as the SolarWinds attack and the Colonial Pipeline disaster, it has become apparent that a new way of thinking maybe in order. Taking a zero-trust approach can help organizations bolster their security in the face of these threats. Here is what you need to know.
What is Zero Trust?
A zero trust stance requires the authentication of all people trying to access sensitive information or login, regardless of whether or not they are within the business’s network. For example, this system will validate a user’s identity before they can access important applications and data.
Many businesses rely on the old model of “trust but verify,’” which would typically assume that people working within the organization could be trusted. However, the zero trust plan does not grant any advantage to those within the network and instead, calls for all users to regularly verify their identity. Once a person gains access to the network, it does not allow them to move around the network at will; they also still need to verify their identity as they move to new sensitive areas.
Why does zero trust matter for my cybersecurity?
Businesses cannot overlook threats that can emerge from places such as employees with malicious intent or people who have successfully stolen the authentic credentials of users. Once one of these individuals gains access to your network under the old system, very little would stand in their way of a widespread breach. Instead, zero trust makes it harder for people to move freely about the network and gain access to sensitive information.
As Colorado businesses look towards the future and the benefits of the global workforce, they also need to understand the advantages of this system within the context of a remote workforce. You want people working remotely to have access to the necessary data and files they need to do their jobs without compromising your security. This system, with its lack of advantages for people within the business perimeter, positions you to attain this goal.
What are the Core Principles of Zero Trust?
To understand how zero trust works, you want to keep three central principles in mind. These principles help to articulate the core components of the zero trust structure.
1. Principle one: Threats can come from both internal and external sources. Therefore, anyone attempting to access sensitive information must be authenticated.
2. Principle two: You must bring together a variety of techniques to prevent attackers. In other words, you must include systems such as multi-factor identification, tracking devices that can access the networks, and reviewing employee jobs to ensure they have access to only necessary information.
3. Principle three: Remember that zero trust focuses on preventing attacks and therefore, cannot stand alone as a cybersecurity platform. You also need monitoring so that you immediately know when someone breaches your system — in order to contain the problem as quickly as possible.
A strong zero trust stance is just one part of a comprehensive cybersecurity platform, but it can go a long way towards preventing attacks and keeping your business safer.
What benefits do businesses experience with zero trust architecture?
Businesses know the value that cloud services can bring to their organizations. As you incorporate these services, however, you need protection to keep your business running. Incorporating zero trust into your network security can provide your company with several benefits, including?
– Improved security. Your business will find it easier to keep out malicious actors.
– Improved ability to understand workflows and employee movements, so that you know when something seems abnormal. It can enhance your monitoring protocols.
– Increased confidence knowing what employees can access, thus restricting movements to contain threats.
– Faster containment of any breaches that occur that results in less compromised data. This is accomplished by building barriers within your network.
What are zero trust best practices?
If you want to move your business towards a zero trust cybersecurity strategy, you will want to incorporate these best practices.
1. Know what areas of your network are the most vulnerable and house the most sensitive information. Create barriers that require additional authentication for anyone who wants to access them.
2. Review the job descriptions of employees and check regularly to ensure that they only have access to what they need to do their jobs.
3. Turn to IT consulting to learn how to establish authentication protocols and prevention measures to begin building your zero trust architecture.
Amnet and Cybersecurity: How to Move Forward with Zero Trust Principles
As a locally-owned Colorado company providing cybersecurity outsourced services, Amnet can help local businesses implement zero trust principles whether their employees work at an office or remotely from around the world. For tech companies in Colorado Springs, we bring our years of experience to provide IT support and help you establish the cybersecurity architecture that you need.
We will help you understand your network needs and how you can take the next steps to establish zero trust architecture.
We want to provide you with a complimentary review of your disaster recovery plan so that you can see how you can take the next steps toward build your cybersecurity strategy. Contact us today to claim yours.