Zero trust is a principle that advocates encrypting every single packet in a network. This eliminates exceptional cases and human error. It also reduces the attack surface and complexity. The code can be compared to that of least privileged access.
Least-privilege access
Applying the principle of least privilege to networks can help ensure greater security. For instance, it can limit the damage caused by compromised user accounts. In contrast, if an administrator account is compromised, it could cripple the entire network. Limiting administrator access to the least privilege helps decrease the attack surface and minimize the risk of cyber attacks.
PoLP is a critical component of zero trust network access, which aims to limit network access to necessary activities. This principle applies to users, networks, databases, and applications. When implemented effectively, it can prevent damage caused by misuse or mistakes. For example, a junior programmer working on legacy code should not have administrative access to a customer database. Although on rare occasions, an administrator may need to access a customer database, PoLP can be implemented to limit the scope of their access.
In addition to reducing the risk of internal leaks, the principle of least privilege also increases the security visibility of an organization’s network. It makes it easier to monitor access sources and achieves regulatory compliance.
Continuous evaluation of identities
A zero-trust architecture is a powerful tool to secure network access and assure that users have the least privileged access. It enforces least privileged access by explicitly validating signals from the six foundational elements of identity: role, location, device compliance, data sensitivity, and application sensitivity. The engine evaluates these signals and responds automatically to protect systems and applications. It can also use conditional policies to step up authentication and enforce re-authentication.
Identity security policies are a vital pillar of the workforce and user security. They authenticate users when they connect to the network and remove inappropriate access based on their identity. Identity-centric approaches rely on contextual and dynamic data analysis and apply attribute-based and role-based access control.
Continuous evaluation of identities is a critical part of the zero-trust infrastructure and requires tools that enable security teams to detect malicious activity and respond quickly to attacks. In addition, IT teams should perform root-cause analysis to detect and resolve security issues and continually update their zero-trust policies to prevent new attacks and exploits.
Reducing attack surface
As the number of DDoS attacks grows, reducing the attack surface is one of the most important things a company can do to protect itself. One way to do that is to enforce granular and adaptive policies on every account and every connection to the network. This approach allows users to use the least privilege to access specific applications while reducing the attack surface. In addition, this approach will also prevent the lateral movement of threats.
Knowing which devices and applications are most susceptible to vulnerabilities is helpful when assessing an attack surface. This way, network security professionals can improve their security measures. One way to do this is by performing a network health scan. It will allow them to identify vulnerable devices before they have a chance to affect your network. Moreover, by reviewing network usage reports, you can find out which users are logging in at any given time, which can help you identify a potential vulnerability. You can also run regular cleanup events to remove vulnerable access points.
Another method of reducing the attack surface is implementing a zero-trust network access model. A zero-trust network access approach will protect your network from attacks on network connections and data. By implementing this solution, users can be assured that their business-critical data and apps will remain safe and secure.
Reducing complexity
A zero-trust architecture is a set of policies and tools that implement the principle of zero trust, which treats all users as potentially malicious until proven otherwise. Implementing zero-trust networks can be complex, requiring several different tools and processes. However, this security approach often provides end users with secure remote and enterprise access.
A zero-trust architecture relies on a continuous authorization process to determine a user’s trustworthiness before allowing them to move through the network. It also uses least-privileged access, which restricts access to application resources based on identity and context. As a result, it minimizes the damage that a single breach can cause.
Whether a zero-trust solution is appropriate for your organization depends on the specific needs of your network. Fortunately, Zero Trust solutions can be customized to meet your needs.
