It can feel personal when someone says they have zero trust in you. But, on the other hand, it’s exactly what you want to hear from IT professionals.
They don’t trust anyone.
In today’s world of cloud networks, virtual machines, and ever changing firewalls — where people are constantly uploading their personal information, credit card info, and banking online — security is of the utmost importance. And while firewalls and malware can do a lot to keep end users, clients, and customers safe from malicious attacks, zero trust security architecture takes the virtual security a whole step further.
We are seeing zero trust more frequently in our daily use of online applications. When apps email or text us verification codes to prove we are who we say we are, that is a demonstration of zero trust. Let’s talk about what zero trust is and then determine whether or not it’s a good approach for your own technological security plan.
What is Zero Trust?
Zero trust security architecture is an IT security methodology that creates a very defined set of policies for the application to follow. There are rules for both internal users and external users to ensure that the policies and procedures are followed closely.
For example, a new user must authenticate themselves based on the rules that are inputted into the zero-trust security application. It may be that a user must verify their email address before they can access the service. Alternatively, maybe a number verification will be sent to the users’ cell phone number. And this may just be the initial hoop the user has to jump through.
After being authenticated, the user generally has to re-verify themselves frequently when they use the website, application, or login. While some companies will allow you to stay logged in, zero trust security measures recognize that continuous, unchecked logins are a potential security risk.
What Does Zero Trust Protect?
Zero trust is an important part of your IT security plan because of its intentionality, but also because of the specific parts of your business that it protects.
1. Users
Nothing is harder on a company than having to admit that their user base was compromised by a malicious attack. Users — customers and clients, specifically — intentionally choose companies that are going to protect their information. Zero trust protection does an excellent job of ensuring that you, as the business owner, do everything you can to protect the people who use your software.
2. Proprietary Information
Everything important to you — from your workflows and proprietary technology to trademarks, patents and even recipes or digital blueprints — will be saved on your network so people who need them can use them. Zero trust technology ensures that only people who should see these files and data actually can.
3. Investments
Zero trust, perhaps most importantly, protects your investments from being exploited by employees or malicious external users. It ensures that the right security measures are in place to protect your various investments that are important pieces that make your company run.
How to Get Started with Zero Trust?
Getting started with zero trust can be a little bit of a struggle. There are many companies and entities that will vie for your dollars in trade for their software or knowledge. Start by having a conversation with your stakeholders to determine what your strategies are (or should be)! Once you’ve determined whether zero trust is right for your business, it’s time to start conversations with professionals who can get you there.
Even the Smallest Companies Invest in Zero Trust
As it becomes less of a question of if your network is going to be attacked, and more of a study into when your network will come under fire, it’s important to have the best network available. More and more small companies are investing in zero trust security architectures and methodologies to ensure the absolute utmost safety for them, their users, and their investments.
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