Zero Trust Security for Dummies

Zero Trust Security for Dummies

This post is all about zero trust security for dummies. In this blog, we will tackle its definition, purpose, and benefits. So, take a closer look below.

Zero Trust Security for Dummies

Zero trust security is a relatively new term in the world of information security. Its definition is that it is a security concept that assumes that any user, device, and app can harm your organization. It assumes that every user, device, and app should be given no trust by default. 

So, every user must be granted access to the system only after going through a strict validation process. This means that every entity (device or users) will have to prove its identity and intent. 

Then, it is designed to replace the traditional assumption that the network is secure and that users are inherently trustworthy. Moreover, this model forces you to think like an attacker who would try to hack your system. In this approach, you won’t give your employees access to the system until they prove their identity and their intention.

Nowadays, most people don’t realize that a breach of one single employee can cost an organization millions of dollars. This is due to the loss of customers’ trust and brand reputation. So, this model should be used as a risk management tool for all organizations big and small irrespective of their nature or industry verticals.

Zero Trust Security Purpose

The primary purpose of zero trust security is to mitigate cyber threats at the earliest possible stage. That is, before allowing any users access to the IT infrastructure.

Then, in this approach, all users are required to go through a strict authentication process that validates identity and intent. All before granting them access to resources such as servers or cloud services. This approach also helps in preventing data leakage or data exfiltration by hackers or malicious insiders.

In addition, this approach makes sure that no unauthorized entities are allowed on your network which can cause damage. This is by sending spam email messages or stealing data from the internal network.

Moreover, this approach also helps organizations reduce their operational costs as it eliminates unnecessary access control methods. Such as physical security tokens on mobile devices. Or expensive software applications used for user authentication purposes. 

What Are the Benefits?

Zero trust security has several benefits over traditional networking approaches such as perimeter-based or inside-out policies as explained below:

  1. More Secure Endpoints. It can help you achieve more secure endpoints. This is done by enforcing the endpoint hardening process before allowing access to the infrastructure. So, it can help in preventing data loss or data leakage due to unauthorized access.
  2. Enhanced Security Posture. Zero trust security models help you achieve an enhanced security posture. This is by implementing a robust security process that makes sure that only authorized entities are allowed on your network.
  3. Better Privacy Controls. Finally, it can help in better privacy controls as it allows you to implement strong controls over your IT infrastructure. For example, it can help you achieve an audit trail of all user activities. So, it can help you detect and prevent data exfiltration by malicious insiders.
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