How Zero Trust Works
Introducing Zero Trust
In a traditional security setup, if a user is within the corporate network, whether they are in the office or connected via a VPN, they are assumed to be trustworthy and can access the network without additional verification. However, this approach is no longer sufficient in today’s digital landscape. Zero trust takes a different approach, requiring authentication and verification for every access request, even within the corporate network.
Authentication and Verification
In a zero trust environment, users must authenticate to access applications, and the application must verify the user’s credentials to ensure they have the right access privileges. This ensures that even if an attacker gains access to the corporate network, they will not be able to access restricted data or functionality. Additionally, the lack of trust extends to the application itself, requiring users to authenticate the application’s identity with a signed digital certificate or similar mechanism to prevent accidental malware activation.
Verification Requirements
The scope of what zero trust must cover is vast, given the numerous interactions a typical user encounters in a day. "All requests for access must meet the standards of the zero trust architecture," says Jason Miller, founder and CEO of BitLyft, a leading managed security services provider. "Common attributes for verification include geographic location, user identity, and type of device. This requires continuous monitoring, which is the only way to validate a specific user and their device."
Continuous Monitoring
Continuous monitoring is essential to ensure that all requests for access meet the zero trust standards. This involves verifying the user’s identity, the type of device they are using, and their geographic location. This ensures that even if an attacker gains access to the network, they will be unable to access restricted data or functionality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, zero trust is a more secure approach to network access control, requiring authentication and verification for every access request. By verifying the user’s identity, device, and location, zero trust can prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data and functionality. As the number of interactions with systems and data continues to grow, the need for zero trust becomes increasingly clear.
FAQs
Q: What is zero trust?
A: Zero trust is a security approach that requires authentication and verification for every access request, even within the corporate network.
Q: How does zero trust work?
A: In a zero trust environment, users must authenticate to access applications, and the application must verify the user’s credentials to ensure they have the right access privileges.
Q: What is the scope of zero trust?
A: The scope of zero trust is vast, covering numerous interactions a typical user encounters in a day, including geographic location, user identity, and type of device.
Q: Why is continuous monitoring necessary?
A: Continuous monitoring is essential to ensure that all requests for access meet the zero trust standards, validating a specific user and their device.
Q: What is the benefit of zero trust?
A: The benefit of zero trust is that it prevents unauthorized access to sensitive data and functionality, even if an attacker gains access to the network.
