What is Zero Trust?
Zero trust is a security model that assumes that any user, device, or application attempting to access a network or resource cannot be trusted by default. In other words, zero trust means that nothing is automatically trusted, and everything must be verified and authenticated before access is granted.
Traditionally, information security relied on the notion of a trusted perimeter, where everything inside the network was considered safe, and anything outside was not. However, this approach has become outdated as modern organizations increasingly rely on cloud services, remote workers, and mobile devices, which blur the lines of the network perimeter.
The zero trust security model is designed to address these challenges by assuming that there is no perimeter and that all access attempts must be verified and authenticated. It accomplishes this through several key principles, including:
- Least privilege: Users are only given the permissions and access they need to perform their job functions, and nothing more.
- Multi-factor authentication: Two or more methods of authentication are used to verify a user's identity, such as a password and a biometric factor.
- Continuous monitoring: All activity is monitored and logged, and any anomalous behavior is flagged for investigation.
- Network micro-segmentation: Network resources are divided into smaller segments, and access is restricted to only those who need it.
The zero trust security model principles also align with various compliance models depending on the specific industry and regulatory requirements.
Here are some examples of compliance models that align with zero trust principles:
- Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): PCI DSS is a set of requirements designed to ensure that all companies that accept, process, store or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment. Zero trust principles align with PCI DSS requirements related to access control, segmentation, and monitoring.
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): GDPR is a regulation in the European Union that provides guidelines for the collection, processing, and storage of personal data. Zero trust principles align with GDPR requirements related to data minimization, access control, and data breach notification.
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): HIPAA is a US law that provides guidelines for the handling of protected health information (PHI). Zero trust principles align with HIPAA requirements related to access control, segmentation, and monitoring.
- Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP): FedRAMP is a US government program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services. Zero trust principles align with FedRAMP requirements related to access control, segmentation, and monitoring.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework: The NIST Cybersecurity Framework provides a set of guidelines, standards, and best practices for managing cybersecurity risks. Zero trust principles align with NIST Cybersecurity Framework requirements related to access control, segmentation, and continuous monitoring.
Today Zero trust security models are increasingly being adopted by organizations of all sizes and industries, as they offer a more robust and effective approach to security that can help to prevent data breaches and other security incidents.
Some industries that are particularly sensitive to security risks, such as finance, healthcare, and government, have been early adopters of zero trust security models. However, many other industries, including retail, manufacturing, and technology, are also beginning to adopt zero trust principles in their security strategies.
Large enterprises, in particular, are likely to adopt zero trust security models due to their complex IT environments, which can include a mix of on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. However, smaller organizations can also benefit from zero trust principles, especially as they increasingly rely on cloud services and remote work arrangements.
Some notable examples of organizations that have implemented zero trust security models include Google, which has developed its own zero trust framework called BeyondCorp, and the United States government, which has adopted a zero trust approach in its Federal Identity, Credential, and Access Management (FICAM) program.
Although the zero trust security model is not a silver bullet that can completely eliminate security breaches, it is a more robust and effective approach to security that can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches and other security incidents.
By assuming that nothing can be trusted by default, zero trust provides a more comprehensive and layered approach to security that helps to prevent unauthorized access and limit the impact of potential security breaches.
For example, the principle of least privilege ensures that users only have access to the resources and data they need to do their jobs, which can reduce the risk of data breaches caused by insider threats or compromised accounts. The use of multi-factor authentication can also help to prevent unauthorized access, as it requires more than just a password to verify a user's identity.
In addition, the continuous monitoring and micro-segmentation principles of zero trust can help to detect and contain security incidents before they can cause significant damage. By monitoring all activity and flagging any anomalous behavior for investigation, security teams can quickly identify and respond to potential security threats.