What Is Zero Trust Security? A New Paradigm ​​in Cybersecurity

With the evolution of cyber threats, a new paradigm for cybersecurity was needed. ​Enter Zero Trust Security, a new mindset designed to challenge the old assumptions of network security and take a more proactive approach.   

In this article you’ll learn more about the basics of Zero Trust Security and how it provides a comprehensive approach for network protection.

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Overview of Zero Trust Security

Zero Trust Security is a collection of concepts and ideas. Therefore, it is more of a cybersecurity “approach” than a defined protocol.

Based on the premise of “never trust, always verify,” Zero Trust Security takes the position that a computer network is constantly at risk from various types of internal and external threats. Therefore, no person or device will be granted access, unless verified that the user is known, and access is necessary.However, while no security strategy is foolproof, Zero Trust is one of the most effective modern security strategies. It will enhance your organization’s cybersecurity posture by safeguarding your data and networked systems in an increasingly interconnected world.

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How Zero Trust Security Differs From Traditional Network Security Models

Traditional network security models focus on firewalls, software patches and security updates to keep cyber threats out of your network. While these traditional models do prevent some threats from entering a network, they are not effective in identifying, quarantining and eliminating threats once they are in your network.

Think about this. Your network could be up to date with all known security patches, but if an unknown cyber threat finds a loophole into your network, you could be one of the first to encounter this new threat.

While others may later benefit from a software patch designed to prevent the security event encountered at your organization, your network and data will be at risk unless you have more layers of cybersecurity embedded within your network.Zero Trust Security Is More Than Traditional Network Security

Once a hacker has entered through a compromised deviceand onto your network, their main goal will be to move slowly and undetected through your system while watching your internal data.

Microsegmentation

Access is given by microsegmentation within a Zero Trust Security environment. Better than just a password, this method provides access by individual userand allows them to connect to only the apps, files and devices that they are authorized to access. Users must also authenticate themselves via scan, security card or another method to determine their individual access.

In a data breach, microsegmentation can also be used to quarantine an area of the network suspected to harbor a cyber threat. If a threat is identified within this area, it will be unable to spread further into other areas of your network.

Proactive Threat Hunting

A new wrinkle in the cybersecurity landscape is proactive threat hunting against possible attacks. Proactive threat hunting is typically a process that starts with artificial intelligence (AI) monitoring network traffic for any abnormalities.

If the AI identifies a potential threat, this proactive approach can assist in quarantining the affected area of the network and removing the threat before it has a chance to do major harm. Without this, a threat could lurk within your network for an extended period of time before you discover it, or the threat actor could hold your data and/or network for ransom. 

Time matters during a cyberattack. Be proactive and always be on the lookout for cyber threats, both outside and inside of your network.

Benefits of Adopting Zero Trust Security

Organizations in every industry have benefited from early adoption of Zero Trust Security. Some of these major benefits include: 

• Reduced Cybersecurity Risk – A multi-layered security approach has proven to keep out more threats than a single-layered approach.   
• Enhanced Workforce Experience – Secures your entire workforce no matter if they work onsite, hybrid or remotely. Zero Trust Security promotes flexible employee access.   
• Ability to Scale Easily – Keeps your network secure as the number of users at your organization changes.   

Zero Trust Security makes sense as it is designed to keep your​​ business… in business. It also allows your IT Team to focus more on the projects that help your organization to grow and prosper.  

Challenges in Zero Trust Security Adoption

Making the switch from traditional network security to Zero Trust Security can be challenging. That’s why businesses of all sizes​​ often enlist the help of a Managed IT provider to survey their needs, construct the most effective Zero Trust Security approach for their organization and assist in the transition.  

In addition, as the world of cybersecurity continues to evolve, an organization’s Zero Trust Security approach must also be expected to evolve. We recommend that Zero Trust Security practices should be reevaluated ​​regularly to ensure that network security is as comprehensive as possible.

Popular Zero Trust Security Models

One of the popular Zero Trust models is the Zero Trust Maturity Model version 2, published by the Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This model provides a roadmap based on the following five pillars: identity, devices, network, data and applications & workloads. Each pillar of this model provides specific examples of traditional, initial, advanced and optimal Zero Trust architectures.  

Another is from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) who in 2023, published a guide titled “Implementing a Zero Trust Architecture.” This Zero Trust architecture proposed by NIST focuses on a method that can be applied to a general-purpose enterprise IT infrastructure, whether on-premises and/or in the cloud. 

Complete, Proactive Protection for Every Business 

At Elevity, security isn’t just a feature we offer – it’s the baseline and cornerstone of every product and service we provide. Our layered, proactive approach to cybersecurity protects you from evolving cyberattacks, sneaky hackers and destructive data breaches. And if an attack does succeed, you’ll already have a response plan in place to minimize the damage. 

Are you looking to take the first step towards a Zero Trust security approach? We work with organizations both large or small. A great starting point is to take our free cybersecurity risk assessment which will determine your cyber risk score.