The Value of Turning to Zero Trust Network Security

Over the past year and a half, organizations have taken a keen interest in adding zero trust network security to their cyber security strategies. Adoption of this model took off in 2019 and has only gained more steam since. Given the rate at which cyber criminals succeed in gaining access to networks, adopting a cyber security concept that requires all users to be authenticated and continuously validated is appropriate.

If you haven’t jumped on the zero trust network security bandwagon and are wondering what the benefits are, the most commonly quoted advantage is that it allows organizations to build their trust in security “from the ground up.” In essence, adopting this model involves choosing which connections will be allowed and excluding all others.

Zero trust network security greatly reduces the “attack surface” that cyber criminals exploit. You’re also vastly improving the visibility of all the components of your cyber security strategy. Speaking of components, you can also adopt various digital security controls that help to authenticate valid users and connections.

Tips for Better Operation

To gain the full advantage of a zero trust security model, you have to implement user authentication protocols, because cyber criminals are good at intercepting usernames and passwords and can impersonate an authentic user. Using authentication tools – often code generators only available on a personal smartphone – can keep the bad actors out.

Implementing zero trust network security presents the opportunity to evaluate which data each user gets access to. Rather than allowing a low-ranking employee to gain access to data important only to C-suite executives, you can restrict access to only that which is critical for their specific tasks.

You also have to take a data-centric approach and protect your data. One way to do this is to monitor and analyze – often via artificial intelligence tools – to find anomalies in your data that can alert you to inconsistencies that need to be addressed quickly. You want to make sure the data the employees are using is current and correct.

Another area that can be addressed in a zero trust security model is application access. Like data, employees don’t need access to every application your organization is using. Rather, they should only have access to those that apply to their daily tasks. This is also a good time to gauge which applications are no longer needed and can be scrubbed from your infrastructure, which can make security and data management easier on IT.

At One Connect, we’re committed to making sure our clients have the solutions that align to their needs so they can save time and eliminate hassle. We can help you connect with the cyber security solutions that are a custom fit for your organization. Contact us and find out more about how we can improve your security and your bottom line.