How to: Zero Trust Architecture

Getting Started with Zero Trust

As businesses grapple with an increasingly complex cyber threat landscape, the concept of zero trust security has emerged as a strategic solution. This model, which eliminates implicit trust across users, devices, enterprise networks, and data, is seen as a crucial line of defense in today’s digital world. But the journey towards implementing zero trust security often appears daunting.

From identifying specific pain points in your ecosystem to prioritizing high-impact tools, the path to a successful zero trust initiative requires careful planning and execution. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on where to start with zero trust security, helping organizations navigate this essential yet challenging transition.

Form a Zero Trust team

A significant first step in implementing zero trust is assembling a dedicated team. This group will be responsible for overseeing the transition, ensuring that every aspect of the organization aligns with the principles of zero trust security.

The zero trust team should ideally comprise individuals from different departments, including IT, security, operations, and even HR. Having a diverse team ensures a holistic approach to security, as each member brings a unique perspective and understanding of different parts of the organization.

The team’s responsibilities include:

1. Identifying Critical Assets: The team should identify and prioritize the organization’s most critical assets. This helps to focus the initial implementation efforts where they are most needed.
2. Mapping Trust Relationships: The team needs to map out existing trust relationships within the network to understand how data moves and where vulnerabilities may exist.
3. Developing a Zero Trust Policy: The team should develop a comprehensive zero trust policy that outlines how to handle access requests, authenticate users, and validate devices.
4. Implementing Zero Trust Tools: The team should oversee the implementation of necessary zero trust tools, such as single sign-on systems for high-impact tools
5. Continuous Monitoring and Improvement: Implementing zero trust is not a one-time event. The team should continuously monitor the system for potential threats and make necessary adjustments to improve security.

Securing your Device and User Identity

For instance, a user may initially authenticate their identity using a password (something they know). They may then be required to present a fingerprint or face scan (biometric data, something they are) and a unique code sent to their mobile device (something they have). This multi-layered approach significantly reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access.

Moreover, MFA and biometrics also facilitate continuous authentication, a key aspect of zero trust security. This means that the system continually assesses the risk profile of a session and may prompt for re-authentication if any anomalies are detected

2. Privileged Access Management (PAM)

With PAM, organizations can implement least privilege policies, ensuring that users, including privileged ones, have only the access they need to perform their job functions, nothing more. This reduces the risk of insiders causing damage, intentionally or accidentally, and makes it harder for outside attackers to move laterally within an enterprise network after gaining initial access.

Furthermore, PAM solutions can provide other zero trust capabilities such as session monitoring and recording, anomaly detection, and adaptive access controls. This allows organizations to continuously verify the legitimacy of privileged activities and respond quickly to potential threats.

3. Integrate Single Sign on (SSO) with your 3rd Party Applications

When combined with third-party applications within a zero trust framework, SSO aids in maintaining stringent access controls. By integrating SSO, organizations can manage access to all applications, both internal and external, from a single platform. This allows for consistent application of security policies, centralized auditing, and streamlined user management. 

Moreover, SSO integration with third-party applications reduces the risk of phishing and other password-related attacks. Since users only need to remember one set of credentials, they’re less likely to fall for phishing scams or write down their credentials where others might find them.

Furthermore, an SSO solution can work in tandem with other zero trust elements like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and adaptive access controls. For instance, upon detecting unusual behavior, the system might prompt the user for additional authentication factors, thereby adding an extra layer of security.

However, it’s important to note that while SSO offers many benefits, it’s not a silver bullet for security. If the SSO account is compromised, an attacker could gain access to all linked applications. Therefore, robust security measures like strong passwords, MFA, and continuous monitoring should be employed to protect the SSO account.

4. Security Awareness Training

In the context of zero trust, Security Awareness Training helps build a culture of skepticism and vigilance among employees. It reinforces the concept that no request or message should be taken at face value, regardless of the source. Every email, every access request, every data transfer needs to be scrutinized.

Training programs should cover a variety of topics including phishing attacks, password hygiene, secure use of personal devices, and safe internet practices. They should also educate employees about the principles of zero trust security, such as least privilege access and continuous authentication.

Moreover, Security Awareness Training supports the zero trust model by promoting active employee participation in security protocols. For example, employees trained to recognize and report suspicious activities can aid in early threat detection.

However, for Security Awareness Training to be effective within a zero trust framework, it must be ongoing and engaging. Cyber threats evolve constantly, and so should the training. Regular updates, practical exercises, and assessments can ensure that employees remain vigilant and well-prepared to deal with emerging threats.

Securing your Applications and Data

Moreover, data classification aids in implementing the principle of least privilege, another key aspect of zero trust. This principle suggests that users should have only the minimum access necessary to perform their duties. With properly classified data, organizations can easily enforce this principle, granting access based on the user’s role and the sensitivity of the data.

Additionally, data classification supports other zero trust practices like data loss prevention (DLP) and anomaly detection. By knowing what data is sensitive, DLP policies can be set up to prevent unauthorized data transfers. Similarly, any unusual access patterns to sensitive data can be flagged for immediate investigation.

6. Data Loss Prevention Controls

DLP controls are measures taken to prevent sensitive data from leaving an organization’s network. These controls can detect potential breaches or data exfiltration transmissions, thereby protecting data in-use (endpoint actions), in-motion (network traffic), and at-rest (data storage).

For instance, a DLP control could be configured to flag and block an attempt to email a file containing credit card information outside the company. Similarly, another control might prevent a user from copying sensitive data onto a removable storage device.

Additionally, DLP controls can provide valuable insights for threat detection and response. In a zero trust environment, any unusual data activity could indicate a potential threat. Regularly reviewing DLP logs can help identify patterns of behavior that may suggest a security breach.

However, effective DLP controls require accurate data classification and strong security awareness training. Without knowing what data is sensitive, DLP measures cannot be effectively applied. Similarly, without proper training, employees may unintentionally trigger DLP controls or find ways to bypass them.

7. User Access Review

User access review becomes an essential step to ensure that every user has appropriate access rights. Regularly reviewing user access helps in identifying and eliminating unnecessary privileges that could potentially be misused or exploited. It checks whether users still require the access they currently possess, based on their job function or role in the organization.

Moreover, user access review in a Zero Trust environment also helps in enforcing the principle of least privilege, which states that a user should have only the minimum levels of access necessary to perform their duties. This minimizes the risk of accidental or deliberate misuse of privileges.

Zero Trust Network Access

8. Micro segmentation

This approach contrasts with traditional perimeter-focused defenses, which are proving less effective in the face of sophisticated cyber threats and the widespread adoption of cloud technologies.

Microsegmentation is instrumental in implementing Zero Trust as it allows for granular control over who or what can access specific parts of the network. By erecting secure perimeters around specific application workloads, microsegmentation enables organizations to restrict and control access based on predefined policies.

9. Encrypt Everything Including Internal Traffic

Traditionally, organizations have focused on encrypting data that leaves their network perimeter. However, in a zero trust architecture, the assumption is that threats can originate from both inside and outside the network.

Encrypting internal traffic ensures that even if a malicious actor gains access to the network, they cannot decipher the data without the correct encryption keys. This adds an additional layer of security and further restricts unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Importantly, encryption should be applied not just to data at rest, but also to data in transit within the network. This means that all communications between different parts of the network should be encrypted, further minimizing the potential for data interception or theft.

In conclusion, the Zero Trust model represents a paradigm shift in how we approach cybersecurity. With its principles of “never trust, always verify,” it provides robust and comprehensive protection against the evolving landscape of cyber threats. If you’re interested in exploring how a Zero Trust implementation can benefit your organization, we invite you to get in touch with us. Our team of experts are ready to guide you on your journey towards a more secure digital future.