In today’s digital world, security is one of the top priorities for businesses of all sizes. One phrase you may have heard recently is “Zero Trust”. The term might not mean much to you initially, but this concept can be a game-changer for the security of your business.
A Zero Trust network is a “Never trust, always verify” approach to security.
Traditionally, once someone was inside a network (such as a company’s Wi-Fi), they were considered trusted and could access many of the company’s resources without much restriction. A bit like having a lock on your front door, but once someone is inside, they can roam around your house freely.
A Zero Trust network, on the other hand, assumes that no one — inside or outside your network — should automatically be trusted. Every user, device, and connection has to prove itself every time it tries to access sensitive resources. It’s like having locks and ID checks at every room in your house.
The key concepts of Zero Trust:
- Never assume trust. Just because a user is connected to your office’s Wi-Fi or a device is logged into your company’s network, it doesn’t mean they aren’t a hacker.
- Continuous verification: Zero Trust verifies who (or what) is trying to access a resource every time. Even if an employee’s device was verified in the past, it might be checked again if it’s trying to access a sensitive document.
- Limit access based on the need. Zero Trust principles dictate that access should be given based only on what’s necessary for the role of the individual.
Why might this matter to me?
- Small businesses are prime targets for cyber attacks.
- Many employees spend some of their time working from home or from public places, meaning you need even greater security for your network.
- Sensitive information needs extra protection. Allowing unauthorised access to financial records or customer data can have wide-reaching consequences!
What does Zero Trust look like in practice?
It will consist of a range of features, which effectively provide different layers of security, such as:
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Instead of just entering a password, employees must also verify their identity with something else, such as a code sent to their phone.
- Device Verification. You can restrict access to sensitive data based on the device being used. For example, only devices that are regularly updated and approved can access critical information.
- Limited Access Permissions. Each employee only has access to the systems and data they need for their role. This way, if one account is compromised, a hacker can’t access everything.
- Real-time Monitoring. Zero Trust relies on constant monitoring for unusual activity. If an employee account suddenly tries to download massive amounts of data in the middle of the night, or there is a log-in attempt from a country where they don’t usually work, the system will flag it as suspicious and block access until it’s confirmed.
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