Setting up perimeter defense measures like cyber guardrails and firewalls isn’t quite cutting it anymore for enterprises when it comes to safeguarding their digital assets. So, what has changed? Let’s explore more.

First, why is this still so important?

  • For one, for large organizations, a data breach could cost nearly USD 4.88 million on average according to IBM. That’s apart from the damage to the brand name, the loss of customer trust, and the cost associated with the downtime of systems and processes.
  • With the stakes so high, organizations know that they must adopt new and innovative approaches to fortifying their digital landscape.
  • The threat landscape is evolving. Hackers or fraudsters are deploying state-of-the-art AI-powered attacks that can beat even the toughest firewalls. The number, scale, scope, and sophistication of attacks is growing. Clearly, the onus is on enterprises to rethink their security strategies from the ground up.

 

Protection from within – the ideal security approach

Rather than investing in perimeter defense technology alone, enterprises should focus their attention on building a security culture as an integral part of their digital initiatives. Security aspects should be woven into the very fabric they use to build digital channels.

The most powerful approach in this regard is embedding the Zero Trust Architecture into the fabric of building enterprise applications for both customer-facing and internal operations.

The pandemic accelerated the digital transformation of customer experiences. Along with that, it also dramatically morphed traditional organizational network boundaries as remote work became rampant. In effect, a company’s key systems comprising applications, data, processes, and services now reside in an extended universe. They can be accessed by users through a variety of channels at any time through multiple devices.

This was where the shift towards Zero Trust Architecture emerged as a prominent factor to consider. There was no longer a defined perimeter for enterprise digital networks. Protection had to be enforced from within.

 

What does Zero Trust Architecture do for enterprises?

In simple terms, a Zero Trust Architecture can be defined as an enterprise security framework that works on the principle of “Trust no one, verify everyone”. No user, irrespective of the device or internet medium they use, will be given a pass into any organizational network or system without being validated and verified for their credentials. It will be the responsibility of the accessing user or service to provide authentication credentials if they wish to be let in.

Zero Trust Architecture works by leveraging a combination of key elements such as:

  • Identity and Access Management (IAM) for strong and reliable authentication and authorization to control access to resources.
  • Network segmentation to isolate network segments and limit damages for any potential breaches.
  • Granular security policies that define access rights, encryption protocols, and enforcement mechanisms for all stakeholders.
  • Endpoint security that focuses on securing devices and preventing malicious activity.
  • Data Loss Prevention (DLP) that adds a layer that prevents sensitive data from leaving the organization.

In the conventional perimeter security framework, all devices and users within an organization’s network are trusted and provided with access to key resources without much additional validation. Zero Trust Architecture works dramatically differently by preventing any user or device from having direct access without specific permission. Every application or user device is required to validate their credentials after each session they interact with an enterprise application or network.

 

The key benefits of Zero Trust Architecture in cybersecurity

While leveraging a Zero Trust Architecture, organizations can enjoy peace of mind. Here are some of the top benefits they can experience:

  • Assured security in an evolving threat landscape

Since no entity is trusted, the Zero Trust Architecture works toward protecting enterprise digital assets from any existing, new, or future threats that may become prevalent in cyberspace. The foundational aspects of every digital asset will be secure always, and organizations can focus on enhancing and upgrading other mechanisms to adapt to security threats that evolve over time.

  • Easier compliance

More stringent regulatory and compliance mandates are being enforced worldwide on digital services by government bodies. In this context, enterprises can leverage the Zero Trust Architecture philosophy to establish a baseline foundation to set security standards for application development with a focus on enforcement of compliance mandates in the validation journey for every new feature or upgrade. This allows them to stay compliant easily.

  • Eliminate siloed security infrastructure

With the Zero Trust Architecture implemented, it becomes easier to establish a standard operating procedure for security systems within the organization. There is no longer a need for investing in multiple security products and building disjoint policies to govern compliance for each.

  • Build trust with customers

Zero Trust Architecture enforces a no-bias approach towards protecting key digital assets. Irrespective of the organizational hierarchy or customer status, security standards remain the same and everyone is treated the same when it comes to access control and permissions for key digital assets. This builds trust amongst customers, which is vital as more digital growth ambitions require customers to part with their data which is usually a very concerning move, but trust can help ease the concerns.

 

Defining the security standards of tomorrow for enterprises with Zero Trust Architecture

According to Gartner, nearly 63% of organizations worldwide have implemented a full or partial Zero Trust Architecture for their digital business operations. The approach is inevitable as it provides a means to build sustainable security practices for any digital initiative. What matters the most is that organizations need to implement Zero Trust Architecture in the right way with the right tools, and the right best practices for best results. This is where a dedicated technology partner like Trinus can help make a major difference. Get in touch with us to know more.