The Zero Trust Security framework, based on the concept of “never trust, always verify,” is becoming increasingly popular, especially due to the boom in remote work recently. What technologies and strategies can organizations use to implement Zero Trust Security?
To help businesses with implementing Zero Trust Security, we asked business leaders and tech experts this question for their best strategies. From receiving a gap analysis to implementing multi-faceted verification and authentication processes, there are important technology and strategic considerations that may help you implement Zero Trust Security.
Here are seven technologies and strategies to consider:
- Account for and identify your sensitive information.
- Make security seamless for employees.
- Perform a gap analysis.
- Use a multi-faceted verification and authentication process.
- Use platforms with built-in security.
- Delegate to the experts.
- Create micro-segmentation.
Account for and identify your sensitive information.
“In order to implement a Zero Trust Security model, you must first account for all your sensitive information, identify where it lives, and determine which users need access to it. Once you have this information clearly mapped out, you can put a system in place that protects you and your client’s data.”
Court Will, Will & Will
Make security seamless for employees.
“Strategies to implement Zero Trust Security will vary with the size of the organization and what they have implemented in the past. Regardless of your organization’s current security posture, you need to start with user management and have all your employees into a single user management solution (Google Workspaces, Office 365, Active Directory). Once you’ve got everyone managed in a single place, you can move on to implementing controls around your online applications and tools to work with that solution. The important part is making security feel seamless so your team doesn’t exert effort to work around it – if working around controls requires less effort than authenticating, something is very wrong.”
Peter Adams, Sol Minion Development
Perform a gap analysis.
“Zero Trust Security means going beyond traditional security measures like firewalls and antivirus. Get a series of security assessments to analyze your current technical environment, security practices and controls, and user risk. Your business will receive a gap analysis that highlights the gap between where you are currently and getting to Zero Trust. Then you can prioritize which aspects are most important to your business and work your way through the recommendations until you achieve Zero Trust.”
Colton De Vos, Resolute TS
Use a multi-faceted verification and authentication process.
“One of the best ways for organizations to implement Zero Trust Security is to have separate confirmation processes for separate parts of their networks. Having different verification and authentication processes will make it hard for anyone to have access to all the organization’s data with a single admission. A multi-faceted verification and authentication process also involves the presentation of more than one confirmation factor which will help organizations to maintain a firm grip on the security of their network. For example, in addition to passwords, organizations may install fingerprint and face recognition technologies.”
Nonyerem Ibiam, Law Truly
Use platforms with built-in security.
“One way to start implementing Zero Trust Security is by using platforms with security built-in. For example, Cloudflare can be used to monitor websites and web apps and prevent unauthorized breaches and attacks. Once you are set up with Cloudflare, this process is essentially handed off. Amazon Web Services also has built-in web security that can help alleviate your lift when implementing technologies.”
Michael Alexis, Teambuilding
Delegate to the experts.
“Quite honestly, most small business owners haven’t given Zero Trust Security any thought. It just doesn’t hit the priority list for most small businesses until there is an issue or a painful learning experience. Whenever a small business owner is outmatched, the advice I turn to is to “delegate.” Don’t try to do it yourself. Delegate to the companies who appear in an organic search result. Speak with several companies who offer Zero Trust Security expertise, and then try to make an informed decision based on what’s important to you and your business.”
Brett Farmiloe, Markitors
Create micro-segmentation.
“A core technology behind Zero Trust Security is micro-segmentation. Micro-segmentation creates granular zones in networks that abide by tightly-focused security policies. These policies authenticate and authorize every user and device before granting access to individual workloads, preventing malicious lateral traffic inside a network.”
Kyle Guercio, TechnologyAdvice
At the end of the day, the key concept to remember about Zero Trust is that it’s an approach to enterprise security. As a CIO, you are in the position to lead the executive team and the the business overall toward a cohesive approach that takes balances the security needs of your data with the user experience and company-wide adoption of Zero Trust as your new security mindset.
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