The shift towards digital-based technology has forced the business sector to adapt to new, very significant changes. Now, working has become even easier thanks to the internet because it can be done through remote work. Unfortunately, the rapid development of this technology also makes it easier for cybercriminals to hack IT security in many ways.
Therefore, stronger security is needed to protect all important data and content from these threats. One of the solutions offered is to implement a zero-trust security system. This zero trust-based technology trend is said to be able to provide better security protection compared to standard security systems.
What is Zero Trust Security?
Then, what is zero trust security? In simple terms, this is a form of security that is used to prevent cyber threats and attacks, such as data leakage, which is carried out by eliminating the concept of “trust” or “trust” from the design of corporate networks and systems.
When it comes to today’s security landscape, zero trust’s meaning can vary to different people. However, there are three principles that can be interpreted as zero trust security, namely:
- Zero trust security system can be used as a strategy to determine access rights to network resources and applications.
- This system also has a role as a design for how business owners manage access rights to various elements in the network, applications, and the scope of identity through a “no trust by default” system.
- Zero trust security can also be used as a model for easier policy making related to providing actions on services and applications based on access requests.
Simply put, this principle focuses on the allegation that all entities seeking access can trigger cyber threats, both internally and externally.
Zero Trust Security Concept
The simple concept of a zero-trust security system is to emphasize to all users that everything behind a firewall is not always guaranteed to be secure. That way, the system will continue to ask for verification as if the access to the applications are performed through a public or open network.
So, zero trust security will always warn all users not to trust anything. The trick is to always ask the user for verification, regardless of the type of request and regardless of where it comes from. Not only that, this security system will also authorize, authenticate, and encrypt all requests before granting access permissions.
How Zero Trust Security Works
Then, how does zero trust security work to provide data protection against the increasing threat of cybercrime? Here are three steps of how zero trust security works:
- Ensuring Access as Needed
The very first step in setting-up a zero-trust plan is to determine who the parties that are given permission to take certain actions. Simply put, you must choose who will get access permission to a resource so that everyone can perform their duties and responsibilities properly. After that, you must also ensure that all devices used by each individual are equipped with security.
It is worth mentioning that building a zero trust security system does require extensive access control to applications, strong technology, and the capability to perform strong authentication. One part of Zero Trust Access that concentrates on controlling access to an application is Zero Trust Network Access or ZTNA.
This system will verify each user or devices that accesses an application to ensure that they are in compliance with company policy to be able to access the application in question. Implementing a zero trust-based security system to access an application or ZTNA model allows companies to not always depend on an IT solution VPN in order to protect all assets accessed remotely.
It’s true that VPNs often offer unrestricted access to the network. Unfortunately, this gives cybercriminals a greater chance of sneaking malware into the network in search of hackable resources.
However, the ZTNA security system implements the same policies for all users, both on and off the network. So, companies will get the same protection regardless of where the user connects to the network from.
Equally important, companies must also ensure that users do not have excessive or inappropriate levels of access. The implementation of zero trust access in providing limited access shows that if a user account is successfully compromised, the perpetrator will only get limited access. This concept is actually almost the same as network segmentation, only that it is divided into each individual.
Thus, users are only given permission to access various company assets needed for their own work. Meanwhile, they will not receive access permission to other assets that are not related to their job description.
- Guarantee the Security of All Devices
In addition, the security of each device plays an important role in the implementation of an effective and efficient zero trust-based security strategy. It is important for companies to always ensure that all devices used by individuals are equipped with security features. This is because internet of things-based devices are now increasingly diverse and become even bigger targets for cyber criminals.
This is because most IoT instruments are not equipped with elements of security considerations. The equipment does not have the ability to install software and is not equipped with security features. This is why IoT devices are such easy targets for cybercriminals to hack into.
Well, the benefit of implementing zero trust access is that it can perform authentication, both on IoT instruments and endpoints. The goal, of course, is to establish and maintain a more comprehensive management control. In addition, the implementation of zero trust access also guarantees visibility for each component connected to the network.
- Strong Security Strategy
Due to the ever-widening outer boundary of the network that occurs as a result of cloud computing-based technology and the shift in working methods to remote working, companies must of course be able to maximize every available element of security. This includes knowing how to implement a zero trust-based security system plan.
The reason is, there are many threats that may occur, both from outside and inside. Hence, it never hurts to suspect that anyone who tries to enter the network or application has the potential of becoming a dangerous threat. The application of zero trust security does not require a complete network repair but is able to provide more qualified network protection.
Building the concept of zero trust access and ZTNA security on networks and applications has indirectly helped you to increase the intelligence of your enterprise’s security systems.
The Differences Between Zero Trust Security and Standard Security System
The zero-trust security model is said to guarantee the protection and security of data and networks that are more sophisticated than traditional security models. This is because traditional security models tend to have a more standard safe zones or standard network defences. Not a few companies still survive by using this security system for their business.
This traditional security concept itself provides two different zones or business views, namely external and internal zones. The external zone is considered a dangerous area and is closely related to various cybercrime threats. Meanwhile, the internal zone is considered a safe zone that has a high level of trust.
Unfortunately, most threats and cyber-attacks come from the internal zone which is considered to be the most secure zone. Another fact that is not less surprising is that the high risk of corporate data leakage does not come from the external zone, which was presumed to be where hackers actively engage in cyber-attacks. In truth, data leakage can be caused by the company workers themselves. This could happen due to a lack of understanding of employees regarding data security. It made them very vulnerable to taking actions that lead to the leakage of company data.
Referring to this, companies need higher protection that are more modern, sophisticated, and able to adapt to the increasingly complex information technology environment. The best solution to this is to shift away from IT solution VPN and start implementing a zero-trust security model. This security model can also ensure the security of remote work, providing protection to devices, employees, applications, and data regardless of their location.
Implementation of Zero Trust as a Future Security Model
The importance of protecting company data and assets has made zero trust-based security model to be implemented in various organizations. Even so, the use of this security system requires a careful and very thorough process of planning, strategizing, and adjustment. This is because the implementation of zero trust security means changing the existing form of security, namely the trusted perimeter model.
Not only that, the implementation of this new technology or model needs to be balanced with a superstructure that is used as a systematic reference for implementing secure information technology. One way that can be done is the implementation of information technology security management based on various popular frameworks, for example the standard implementation of the ISO 27001:2013 or the cybersecurity framework.
Along with the development of technology in this modern era, the concept of zero trust security is very possible to be implemented in companies that depend on IT as the backbone of their business processes. The goal is none other than helping to improve the security of information and assets owned by the company.
Now, implementing IT security with a zero-trust model is no longer a difficult thing. Just trust this to Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ). With Safous, IIJ offers the most advanced ZTNA functions with maximum convenience and security for users. You can choose the best data storage location according to the security topology.
In addition, Safous also monitors the application gateway and offers 24/7 recovery support. That way, security can be easily increased without adding any operational burden and cause an inconvenience. Not to forget, Safous offers integrated security functions, making it the best solution for many information technology security problems. Access safous.com for more information.