It’s time. For dynamic digital businesses, shutting down the traditional “castle-and-moat” approach to cybersecurity is the only smart option. Between cloud-based systems, remote work models, and global supply chains, the definition of a secure perimeter has become dangerously blurred. So, what’s a better alternative? Zero-trust architecture.
The simplest way to explain zero-trust is this: “never trust, always verify.” Authenticate and continuously validate every user, device, and connection inside and outside your network. This approach makes zero-trust the go-to strategy for companies that are committed to protecting sensitive data and maintaining business continuity.
Why Is Zero-Trust a Big Deal Right Now?
In many ways, the shift to zero-trust is a necessary evolution.
Verizon’s 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report shows that over the past 10 years, stolen credentials have been involved in 31% of data breaches – making it one of the most common ways businesses are compromised. It also shows just how porous perimeter-based security models, which were designed for on-premises networks and stationary employees, actually are. Where digital workforces offer cybercriminals a complex but penetrable web of entry points to your systems, zero-trust throws up solid walls that reduce your exposure and damage.
What Does the Secure-Perimeter Model Get Wrong – and Zero-Trust Get Right?
Traditional security models were built around a secure perimeter, like a medieval fortress. Once a user offered the right credentials to get “inside,” they were trusted implicitly. However, today’s networks are fluid and decentralized. Employees need access to resources no matter where they are, what device they’re using, or which network they’re on. They use third-party applications and cloud services to get it. They also make the traditional perimeter almost impossible to contain, much less secure.
As the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) outlines in its guidelines, zero-trust assumes that threats are everywhere, including both inside and outside your network. It shifts the protective focus from the overall perimeter to individual resources. And it enforces least-privilege access and continuous verification to make sure that users and devices get only minimum access – and even then, only after they’ve passed strict identity checks.
Core Principles of Zero-Trust Security
- Verify Every User, Device, and Connection
Zero-trust means not accepting identity at face value. Every request to access a resource is verified, no matter where or who it comes from. Verification includes checking your user credentials, device health, and the security of the connection. It uses tools like multi-factor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), and secure web gateways.
- Least-Privilege Access
Zero-trust means giving users only the access they need to perform specific role-related tasks — no more, no less. This minimizes possible damage if an account is compromised. It also involves micro-segmentation, or dividing your network into smaller segments. This can limit bad actors’ lateral movements in case of a breach.
- Continuous Verification and Monitoring
Zero-trust means constantly monitoring permissions, behaviors, and access patterns. (It’s not a “set it and forget it” strategy.) If any irregular activity is detected, your system can automatically revoke access, reducing the window of opportunity for an attacker.
According to Microsoft and Forrester, using a zero-trust framework can reduce your risk of a breach by as much as 50% compared to traditional methods. It gives you more granular control over the blast radius of potential attacks.
The Human Element Makes Zero-Touch a Top Priority
Gartner predicts that by 2025, lack of talent or human failures will be responsible for over half of all major cyber incidents. Poorly configured cloud storage or unsecured home networks make it easy for attackers to exploit weaknesses that come with dispersed, work-from-anywhere employee bases. Zero-trust helps head off calamity by treating every user and action as potentially risky until proven otherwise.
How to Implement Zero-Trust Security
For many mid-market companies, transitioning to a zero-trust model can feel daunting. But it’s not about replacing everything at once; it’s about implementing the core principles incrementally.
- Start with Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Adopt multi-factor authentication (MFA) and single sign-on (SSO) for all users. This helps you verify identity and enforce least privilege access across all points of entry to your network.
- Micro-Segment the Network
Implement micro-segmentation. This helps limit an attacker’s movement if they breach one segment of your network. It reduces the likelihood of a single compromised endpoint leading to a large-scale breach.
- Enable Continuous Monitoring
Invest in tools that provide real-time monitoring and alerts for unusual behavior. Solutions like Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems or Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools are essential for maintaining visibility across a distributed network.
Overcoming Zero-Trust Obstacles at Mid-Market Companies
Whether they lack resources or expertise, many mid-market companies need help with zero-trust adoption. Transitioning to a zero-trust model requires a significant overhaul of identity management, network architecture, and access controls. But companies can expand their zero-trust framework gradually by breaking the process into steps, like implementing MFA before segmenting critical assets.
The key is to focus on high-value assets, such as sensitive customer data or critical intellectual property, and build the zero-trust model around these core areas. PwC’s Digital Trust Insights shows a phased approach to zero-trust that helps you secure critical areas first and optimize resources as you go.
Make Zero-Trust Your New Baseline
When all is said and done, operating in today’s digital landscape means that zero-trust should be your default strategy — no exceptions. Relying on outdated models is risky. It ignores the malignancy of evolving cyber threats and ups your chances of experiencing a catastrophic breach. By adopting zero-trust, you can protect your organization more effectively, build trust with customers, and ensure you’re prepared for whatever comes next.
Executives still clinging to traditional models need to know that cybersecurity is not just about protecting systems — it’s about protecting the business.
Want to learn more? Join us on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 1:00 pm ET for “Building Cyber Resilience in the Age of AI-Driven Threats.” This webinar will feature a fireside chat between Michael Messinger, Shermco CIO; Alex Rose, Secureworks Director of Government Partnerships & CTU Threat Research; and Jason Baron, Coretelligent CIO. Reserve your seat today!