Zero Trust architecture (ZTA) was introduced in 2010 with Google being one of the early adopters of this network security model. The move to cloud environments, dependency on Internet access, mobile workforce, increase in cyber-attacks, and sophistication of bad actors using AI have made traditional perimeter-based defenses no longer reliable. In today’s digital environment, a secure perimeter is non-existent. With the focus on protecting data and not the network, ZTA secures data in the network, in the cloud, and on mobile devices. 

Zero Trust Architecture Versus Traditional Security Models

The traditional castle-and-moat network security model prevents bad actors from accessing data inside your organization and assumes everything on the inside can be trusted. With the castle-and-moat approach, your network is the castle, and the security perimeter is the moat. Just as a castle places guards at the drawbridge to prevent access to the castle grounds, the perimeter around your network is built of firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, antimalware, and encryption to block external attacks. But once someone has access to your network, they have access to all applications and data as if you left the drawbridge down and the door open for attackers to enter the castle and move freely. ZTA assumes security risk exist inside and outside of the network.

With the hub-and-spoke network model, users are routed to a central hub to securely connect to the Internet and access the cloud; however, with Zero Trust architecture users can directly connect to the cloud for access anywhere at any time. 

ZTA Enables Secure Digital Transformation

Zero Trust architecture is a holistic approach to protect against data breaches and sophisticated cyber threats by integrating people, processes, and technology. Using Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) technology, every user, device, and application is authenticated and authorized before access is granted to the network using multi-factor authentication, network segmentation, least privilege access, and continuous monitoring and analysis of network traffic. Zero trust assumes every connection must be authenticated, every access point is susceptible to malware infection, and every data center or cloud may be compromised.

You can no longer defend your network’s perimeter and assume everything inside is safe. With ZTA, you lock down your network and no one is allowed to enter unless they’ve been identified and authorized. And once in the network, users only have access to what’s needed to do their jobs. This approach not only reduces the attack surface but also mitigates the severity of attacks.

Getting Started on Your ZTA Journey

In this constantly evolving landscape, all businesses, large and small, must be vigilant to continuously verify users, devices, and networks. Making the paradigm shift from traditional network and security architectures requires the understanding that Zero Trust is a framework that requires time and expertise, and effectively implementing a Zero Trust initiative requires a culture shift and transformative mindset beyond implementing a new technology, product, or service. Embarking on the journey towards Zero Trust begins with evaluating your current security posture and areas of risk. Understand what you’re trying to protect and from whom you’re trying to protect it. Then identify applications, users, and data that need the highest level of protection and make that the priority.

ZTA is built upon existing architecture, so follow basic cybersecurity hygiene practices, or you’re building on a weak foundation. Implement and monitor Zero Trust along with your existing stack by integrating your current security infrastructure and tools with ZTA. Zero Trust involves your entire tech stack, and you can’t neglect any layer of the stack in ZTA implementation. 

Our team of tech and security experts can help your organization embrace Zero Trust principles. To learn how to better safeguard your business and data, get in touch.