In past decades, network security worked rather like a house with locked doors. If a person was inside, they were trusted; if they were outside, they were not. Today, the situation is rather more complex. Threats can come from unexpected places, even from within your own network.
Zero trust architecture addresses the problem. In simple terms, it means that no user or device is simply trusted. Instead, every access request must pass through a verification process to confirm the user’s identity. Even this does not allow automatic access to resources, and authorisation is a continuous requirement.
Zero Trust Principles
Zero trust architecture is a security framework that works on the assumption that all traffic is untrustworthy until evidence of trustworthiness is provided. In essence, it means that access depends on:
- Who you are
- The device you’re using
- Where and how you connect
- Whether the activity seems normal
It goes beyond logging in. Although users may not be aware of it, verification occurs continuously. With the growing sophistication of cyber threats, zero trust architecture is fundamental to your overall cyber security strategy.
Fundamentals of Zero Trust Architecture
Translating zero trust principles into practice means:
- Explicit verification: Passwords are no longer enough. Multiple factors are applied to authenticate a user’s identity.
- Least-privilege access: With a zero trust architecture, infiltration of an entire network is prevented by only allowing each user and device access to the features they need to perform their tasks.
- Assuming breach: Your network assumes that threats are already present within your network. Your system is designed to minimise damage from within.
- Continuous monitoring: Factors like user behaviour, device posture, and data flows may indicate an immediate threat. Continuous monitoring allows for real-time responses.
Although the term zero trust architecture was already coined in 2010, a long time ago by tech standards, and formalised in 2020, it represents a departure from the traditional approach to cyber security. Previously, the focus was on guarding the network perimeter. Now, your defences guard against internal threats, too.
Components of Zero Trust Architecture
Verifying User Identity
As we mentioned earlier, verifying user identity using multiple factors and managing what each user and device can access, is one of the core requirements for zero trust architecture. This can even be determined on a per-session basis.
Verifying Device and Endpoint Security
Device and endpoint security are equally important. Any device used to access your network must be compliant. It should therefore have fully up-to-date software and operating systems, be correctly configured, and free of any malware.
Network Segmentation
Supposing what appears to be an authorised user accesses your network from a compliant device, trust is still not assumed. Network segmentation and access restrictions will prevent the lateral movement of an undetected threat.
Protecting Data
Data is a particularly important asset to safeguard. Encryption is an essential, and data usage and flows must be controlled and monitored. Applying least-privilege access is, of course, part of your data protection strategy.
Continuous Monitoring
Automated monitoring systems further strengthen zero trust architecture, ensuring that anomalies trigger immediate responses such as real-time access adaptations.
A Practical Example of How These Components Work
In other words, employees can log in from anywhere, but apart from verifying their identity, the zero trust system checks whether the device and network environment are safe before allowing, restricting, or denying access. If a user is allowed access, anything unusual about their behaviour can lead to a requirement for re-authentication, or their access may be blocked completely.
Benefits of Zero Trust Architecture
Although some of the benefits of zero trust architecture can be inferred from the information covered so far, others may be less immediately apparent. Significant benefits include:
- Enhanced network security: Since your network will automatically regard every request as untrustworthy until proven otherwise, a cyberattack’s consequences will be limited even if unauthorised access is gained.
- Enhanced visibility and control: Insights from continuous monitoring help IT teams detect unusual elements early on, help them enforce policies, and allow them to respond rapidly to any emerging threats.
- Support for secure remote access: Zero trust architecture allows for flexible access so that your teams can benefit from resources no matter where they are.
- Limiting insider threats: Even if a legitimate account is compromised, there are limits to what the attacker can achieve and the damage they can do.
- Regulatory compliance: To meet regulatory data protection requirements, guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre suggests implementing zero trust architecture.
According to our partner, Cisco, zero trust architecture enjoys widespread adoption, with around 86% of enterprises adopting it. However, the company reports that as few as 2% have mature deployments that exploit the full potential zero trust systems offer.
How to Implement Zero Trust Architecture
You cannot simply undertake a plug-and-play process. Effective implementation requires specialised knowledge that takes into account how technologies and users within your organisation interact. The steps to zero trust architecture implementation include:
- Identification of critical data and assets
- Assessment of current security posture
- Establishing identity controls
- Network segmentation
- Implementing continuous monitoring
- Automating responses
- Educating staff
Few organisations have in-house access to personnel with the necessary skills. Any outside service provider you partner with should be willing to tailor your solution to your context and provide ongoing support.
The Role of AI in Zero Trust Architecture
Continuous monitoring and verification require constant vigilance and an ability to adapt to circumstances in ways that regular software cannot. AI can detect unusual patterns, respond to changing risk levels, and automatically initiate incident responses in real time. Taken together, these analytical abilities allow it to enhance the efficacy and efficiency of zero trust architecture.
How Advantex Can Help
Implementing and maintaining a zero trust network architecture requires planning, up-to-date knowledge, and ongoing management. At Advantex, our network and infrastructure solutions are tailored to your needs. Coupled with our cyber security services, we provide the technical foundation your enterprise needs to operate with confidence in an ever-changing IT landscape. Contact us today and empower your organisation with us.
