Modern organizations require a new security model that effectively responds to the complexity of current threats, facilitates hybrid work, and safeguards data, applications, devices, and personnel, regardless of their location. The adoption of cloud-based access control solutions (ACaaS) marks the beginning of this transformation. 

The rise of the hybrid workforce and the advancement of ACaaS have expanded the presence of applications and users, enabling permissions to be granted or revoked from any location and on any device. Today’s security strategies must move beyond mere network perimeter defense to implement policies that secure every individual connection between users, devices, applications, and data. This approach is encapsulated in the Zero Trust model, which operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” 

Zero Trust assumes that implicit trust in any element of a complex, interconnected system can expose organizations to significant security threats. Zero Trust initiatives mandate that all users undergo authentication, all access requests are rigorously checked, and all activities are continuously monitored. 

This model doesn’t aim to restrict access indiscriminately but provides a cohesive security framework that operates across all digital platforms. Within this connected framework, Zero Trust architecture secures files, emails, and network communications, and extends protection to remote access, personal devices, and third-party applications, simplifying security integrations.

The three principles of Zero Trust

Zero Trust architecture relies on comprehensive solutions encompassing identity, security, compliance, and device management across multiple platforms and clouds. Implementing this architecture involves intricate planning across various functional areas, although most frameworks adhere to these three fundamental principles:

1. Continuous Monitoring and Validation
   Every connection request by users, devices, or workloads necessitates immediate and continuous verification, including periodic reauthentication to maintain access. This principle ensures that only approved devices can access the network and that these devices remain secure and uncompromised by threats such as malware.
2. Principle of Least Privilege
   Access is strictly limited to what is necessary for users to perform their tasks, thereby minimizing the potential impact of security breaches. Access permissions expire at the end of each session, and sensitive data, such as documents related to confidential projects, are accessible only to authorized personnel.
3. Assumption of Breach
   Security teams begin with the assumption that the network is already compromised. This mindset drives the adoption of robust threat detection and swift response strategies. Ideally, security systems should integrate widespread monitoring signals and execute automated responses, such as network segmentation to contain breaches, comprehensive surveillance of all network activities, and immediate reaction to any abnormal behavior.

Zero Trust, Step by Step

Here’s a general step-by-step guide on how to implement and use a Zero Trust security model in any company:

1. Create Strong Identity Verification
   Implement rigorous measures to authenticate user identities and control access to enterprise resources. This involves identifying sensitive data and user roles, and deploying tools that enable real-time risk assessment and response to potential security breaches.
2. Manage Access to Devices and Networks
   Establish clear policies for identity-based access control, which is a core component of Zero Trust. This strategy offers enhanced protection across hybrid and multicloud environments by only allowing verified users access to essential resources and denying unauthorized access. Maintain a comprehensive inventory of all authorized devices—including workstations, mobile phones, servers, laptops, IoT devices, and printers—and replace traditional VPNs with Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solutions that verify identities and limit user access to necessary resources.
3. Improve Application Visibility
   Under a Zero Trust framework, neither applications nor application programming interfaces (APIs) are trusted implicitly. Implement tools to detect unauthorized (“shadow IT”) systems and identify any device attempting network access. It’s crucial to establish and monitor compliance with security requirements, and to manage access permissions vigilantly to safeguard against potential vulnerabilities.
4. Set Data Permissions
   It is crucial to classify an organization’s data, from documents to emails, to enhance security. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA), which requires multiple verification methods before access is granted. MFA systems should be scalable, adaptively increasing authentication demands based on the associated risk level. Integrated with ACaaS technology, these systems facilitate swift identity management, ease the review of access logs, and enhance the detection of unusual activities.
5. Monitor Infrastructure
   Continual monitoring is essential in a Zero Trust approach to promptly identify and respond to new threats. Regular assessments, updates, and configurations of all infrastructure elements, including servers and virtual machines, are required. Organizations should also monitor security measures and control policies to minimize unnecessary network connections and enhance the detection of suspicious behavior through active access metrics analysis.
6. Educate Employees
   Transitioning to a Zero Trust architecture involves comprehensive organizational change, supported by training programs from ACaaS providers. This shift affects various departments and requires extensive planning and execution across functional areas, making it a potentially costly endeavor. Continual employee training and fostering a corporate culture that supports security are critical to successfully implementing a Zero Trust model.

From Private to Public

The adoption of Zero Trust models is on the rise among organizations seeking to enhance their security policies as vulnerabilities expand. According to a March 2024 report from Enterprise Strategy Group by TechTarget, over two-thirds of surveyed organizations are actively implementing Zero Trust policies. 

This trend extends beyond the private sector. In parallel to the new NIS2 and CER European directives, a recent Executive Order from the White House mandates US Federal Government agencies to fortify national cybersecurity on critical infrastructures and services. The order emphasizes the need for these agencies and their vendors to modernize their cybersecurity strategies, including a swift transition to secure cloud services and the adoption of Zero Trust architectures.