Network security is one of the most important parts of your business’s IT structure. With advanced cyber attacks becoming more frequent, you need to work with your network security provider to build strong, comprehensive protection for your data and operations.
Zero trust security is a powerful tool that can help you create this kind of safety web around your network and mitigate both internal and external threats. Here’s a closer look at what zero trust is, how it works, and why you need it.
What Is Zero Trust Security?
Here’s one way to think of zero trust security: Instead of having a single lock on the fence around the house, most people also have a lock on the front door and additional locks on other sensitive items, such as a safe with important documents or other valuables. Even if someone makes it through the fence or is already inside, they can’t get to everything in the house.
Similarly, zero trust security assumes that no user or device should be trusted by default—not even those already inside the network. All users are required to continuously verify their identity and gain explicit permission before accessing any resource, application, or data.
Key Principles
Zero trust operates under a few key principles that help you and your network security provider maintain security.
- Identity Verification: Every user or device attempting to access a system, application, or other resource must be authenticated to confirm their identity, often using multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Continuous Verification: Even after the initial log-in and verification, users’ login sessions periodically time out so that their identity can be confirmed.
- Access Controls: Users are granted access to only the resources they absolutely need to do their job. This principle of least privilege minimizes the risk of unauthorized data exposure.
- Network Segmentation: Your network is divided into smaller, distinct sections. This ensures that if one part of your system is breached, the damage doesn’t spread across your entire network.
How Can a Zero Trust Framework Protect My Business?
As you work with your network security provider to implement a zero trust framework, you’ll be able to effectively protect your organization from internal and external threats and limit the effects of attacks.
Defense Against Advanced Breaches
Network segmentation, strict identity confirmation, and continuous verification are harder to bypass than traditional security measures that assume users within the network are already trustworthy. This makes it easier to steer clear of more sophisticated threats and tactics.
Limited Attack Surface
Even if an attacker gains access to your network, zero trust’s access controls and segmentation reduce their ability to move within the system. For example, a compromised account might give hackers access to a specific file but block them from seeing sensitive financial or customer data stored elsewhere. This reduces the impact of the attack and speeds up mitigation and recovery.
Secure Remote Access
Zero trust effectively provides remote employees with secure access to data and systems from anywhere. Stolen devices become less of a risk with session timeouts, and network segmentation reduces the risk of breaches through insecure networks. Identity verification also confirms that only your employees will access company resources.
Protection Against Internal Threats
Internal threats can be both intentional and unintentional. Employees may accidentally access sensitive files or leave their computer open with their account logged in. Or they may maliciously leak or edit sensitive data. Session timeouts, access controls, and continuous verification all help protect against these and other forms of internal breaches.
Strengthen Your Network Security with Velocity IT
The best way to stay ahead of growing cyber threats is to prioritize proactive cybersecurity strategies like zero trust.
At Velocity IT, we help you do just that with our personalized solutions focused on your success. As a top network security provider, we’re dedicated to keeping your business safe and ensuring you receive the highest quality of service possible. Give us a call to learn how we can secure your network.
