Zero Trust Access Management: All You Need To Know

When it comes to network security, the term “Zero Trust” is becoming more and more prevalent. With hybrid working now here to stay, getting network security right is more challenging and important than ever.

But what does Zero Trust mean, and how can it help improve your organization’s security posture?

In this article, we’ll answer these questions and tell you why a zero trust strategy is critical for your enterprise, providing everything you need to know about Zero Trust Access and Identity Management.

What is Zero Trust Access Management?

Zero Trust Access Management is a security model that, rather than relying on predefined trust levels, continuously verifies the identity of users and devices – both inside and outside of an organization – before granting them access to data or resources.

This approach is a departure from the traditional security model, which is based on the idea of “trusted” systems and users. In a Zero Trust architecture, every user, device, and application must be authenticated and authorized before being granted access to sensitive data.

How Does Zero Trust Access Management Work?

There are a number of Zero Trust principles that make up the overall approach, including:

• Continuous identity-based security: This involves verifying the identity of each user and device before granting them access to data or resources. By identifying devices and users accurately, you can reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
• Least privilege: With Zero Trust network access, users are only ever granted as much access as they need to do their jobs. As a result, each user’s exposure to sensitive data or resources is minimized. The user’s location, time of day, and the type of device being used are all factors that are used to determine what access to grant.
• Contextual awareness: Nefarious actors often strike organizations during a significant event, such as a merger or earnings release. That’s why contextual awareness – which increases and decreases a company’s security baseline at certain times – helps provide additional security at the right time.
• Microsegmentation: By segmenting networks into smaller, more manageable pieces, Zero Trust Access Management can help reduce the scope of a potential security breach. Additionally, microsegmentation can help organizations improve performance and availability by reducing network traffic.
• Data-centric security: In a Zero Trust environment, data is protected at all times – regardless of where it resides. This approach helps to prevent sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands, even if a business user’s device is compromised.

What Are The Benefits Of Zero Trust Access and Identity Management?

There are several key benefits to implementing Zero Trust access and identity management:

• Improved security posture: By verifying the identity of all users and devices before granting them access to data or resources, you can greatly reduce the risk of malicious actors gaining access to your network and sensitive data.
• Blocked lateral movement: If an attacker breaches an organization’s security and gains access to its network, they often try to move around once inside. This is known as “lateral movement”. Even if an attacker’s entry point is identified, lateral movement can make their actions difficult to detect. Zero Trust access management prevents lateral movement through its microsegmentation and continuous verification principles.
• Decreased complexity: Traditional security models often require complex authentication procedures, which can be difficult for employees to remember and navigate. Zero Trust network access is far simpler and easier to use, making it ideal for organizations of all sizes.
• Increased flexibility: With Zero Trust, you no longer have to worry about who is accessing your data and resources. You can grant access to anyone (providing they need it and pass scrutiny), regardless of their location or affiliation.
• Reduced costs: Implementing a Zero Trust security model can help reduce the cost of security operations by eliminating the need for expensive and complex authentication procedures.

How Can I Implement Zero Trust Principles?

The good news is that, by partnering with the right solutions provider, your path to Zero Trust can be clear, intuitive, and hassle-free. Zero Trust security is highly scalable and can be easily adapted to your changing needs. As your organization grows and evolves, your Zero Trust architecture can grow with you, ensuring that your network remains secure against even the most sophisticated attacks.

Interested in learning more about Zero Trust Access and Identity Management and discovering how our solutions can benefit your organization? Contact Us and talk to one of our specialist Zero Trust professionals to find out more.

For more in-depth insights, download Yorktel’s Zero Trust Security whitepaper and/or watch our 30-days to Zero Trust webinar.