Zero Trust Security Framework: Operational Mechanisms and Effective Practices

Our world is growing increasingly complex and sophisticated. Technology is advancing rapidly, becoming faster, more responsive, and smarter. While this presents opportunities, businesses operating online, especially those using software like cloud-based contact center solutions, must also remain vigilant about the accompanying risks.

The adoption of cloud-based data environments and the growing trend of employees logging in from unsecured home laptops underscore the inadequacy of traditional security strategies.  As networks become accessible from increasingly diverse locations, new vulnerabilities are being exposed.

In the first half of 2024, the number of malware attacks showed a significant increase compared to 2023, while cybercriminal attacks are also becoming more diverse.

Modern security frameworks can no longer assume whether these internal network users are safe, they must adapt to address these emerging risks. Zero Trust security is seen as the most effective approach to tackle these new challenges.

An Overview of Zero Trust Security

Similar to the approach of a business proxy server, the Zero Trust security framework operates on the principle that every action within a network is potentially a security risk. Unlike traditional network security solutions, which grant trust to users after initial access is verified, Zero Trust assumes no implicit trust and continuously verifies each access request. For example, in traditional setups, logging into a network on a laptop might mean subsequent access is granted without further authentication. In contrast, Zero Trust requires ongoing authentication and validation for every interaction to ensure security.

The Zero Trust security framework believes that even after gaining access within a security perimeter, network users may still be vulnerable to threats. In other words, it applies the "Zero Trust" principle to both external and internal activities.

John Kindervag, an analyst at Forrester Research, coined the concept of Zero Trust security in 2010, which has since been adopted by numerous businesses and companies. Google emerged as one of the early adopters of this approach to online security. For any online business equipped with enterprise-grade IT, implementing a Zero Trust framework is highly recommended.

What Is Its Operational Mechanism?

The fundamental principle of Zero Trust security is "never trust, always verify," which requires specific features for effective implementation. Given that 34% of security breaches involve internal actors, continuous verification is a critical aspect of Zero Trust. Instead of permitting users to verify access once, Zero Trust mandates the use of multi-factor authentication for every network access attempt by users.

Multi-factor authentication is increasingly prevalent across the internet, with many AWS application modernization processes now incorporating it. However, simply granting users access to the entire network after initial verification is insufficient. Zero Trust operates on the assumption that all internal network activity poses potential threats. Therefore, Zero Trust emphasizes the principle of least-privilege access.

Once users have completed multi-factor authentication, Zero Trust mandates that they can only access specific network segments necessary for their tasks. This ensures that network users undergo secure verification whenever they need access to new network segments, without risking access to the entire network and potentially sensitive data and information.

Although multi-factor authentication lowers the risk of successful cyberattacks, some threats may still infiltrate your network. Least-privilege access ensures that any cyber threats exploiting necessary access points in your network cannot compromise all your data.

In addition to continuous verification and least-privilege access, Zero Trust security integrates encryption into its framework. This ensures that sensitive information and data, such as passwords, customer details, and internal communications, are encrypted and accessible solely to authorized network users.

As more large companies adopt online systems like hosted VoIP phone systems, secure encryption of cloud-stored data becomes crucial. Strict encryption of customer data not only ensures compliance with regulations like GDPR but also aligns with the foundational principles of Zero Trust security.

One of the fundamental aspects of Zero Trust security is its reliance on analytics. By conducting extensive data collection, your security team can optimize your security framework to effectively mitigate the specific threats confronting your company.

By leveraging data from sources like user credentials and endpoint information, you can continuously adjust your security framework to enhance its effectiveness.

Keep in mind that Zero Trust is a philosophy rather than a singular policy. Operating under the assumption that every network user could pose a threat, organizations rely on data and analytics as primary tools to address and mitigate these potential threats.

Effective Practices for Deploying Zero Trust Security

Now that you understand the concept and operation of the Zero Trust security framework, you should consider implementing it in your online business. In today's environment, not having a Zero Trust framework exposes you to internal threats. Follow these effective practices to seamlessly integrate Zero Trust into your company.

1. Assessment of Risks

To initiate the adoption of a Zero Trust security framework, start by evaluating the specific risks that pose threats to your company.

Consider the type of data stored on your network. For example, if your company utilizes personal injury management software, assess the amount of this information stored in your network. Storing personal information without encryption poses a significant risk that should be addressed through encryption and implementing least privilege access policies.

Also, examine the permissions configured within your network. In a Zero Trust approach, which considers all users as potential threats, granting universal file access permissions poses unnecessary risks that should be addressed as part of the Zero Trust implementation process.

2. Segmentation and Encryption of Your Data

After assessing the specific risks to your network, take proactive measures to mitigate these risks. Micro-segmentation is a key practice in Zero Trust security, helping to prevent internal threats and serving as a crucial step towards achieving comprehensive least-privilege access across your network.

Micro-segmentation ensures that accessing one part of your network does not grant access to all parts. Essentially, each 'micro' section of your network is divided into smaller segments, each with its own security perimeter and verification requirements.

For example, if an employee logs into an IP phone system from home, micro-segmentation ensures that their potentially insecure home network cannot access any other parts of your network or data.

Implementing micro-segmentation in your network, coupled with data encryption, minimizes the impact of cyber threats that infiltrate your network by preventing access to the majority of your data. This targeted approach reduces costs; on average, companies that adopt a Zero Trust approach experience breaches that cost $1,760,000 less.

3. Verification

In addition to micro-segmentation and encryption, continuous and recurrent verification stands out as a crucial practice within a Zero Trust framework. As emphasized earlier, Zero Trust operates on the premise that every entity in a network is potentially a threat until validated otherwise. Therefore, whenever a user seeks access to a new network segment or additional information, robust verification procedures must be implemented.

This ensures the efficacy of the micro-segmentation process because accessing one network segment does not grant access to others. Additionally, employ multi-factor authentication to ensure accurate verification.

However, it's important to strike a balance between security, usability, and productivity. If you manage a small marketing or lead generation company, accessing the network shouldn't be as stringent as entering Fort Knox every time. You might opt to mandate verification once a week, reserving continuous verification for accessing sensitive parts of the network.

The conventional approach of one-time verification exposes your network to vulnerabilities in the user’s technology, whereas repeated verification helps mitigate these risks.

4. Analysis and Progression

One of the key Zero Trust practices to adopt is understanding that it is a mindset requiring constant application and updates across your network.

Integrate the core components of the Zero Trust framework—micro-segmentation, encryption, and verification—then gather and analyze data from your network to assess its effectiveness. Regularly audit security systems, such as through an Auditboard security audit, to ensure compliance and identify vulnerabilities. Utilizing this data to enhance the security posture of your network is a critical aspect of the Zero Trust approach.

Security training plays a crucial role in addressing data vulnerabilities and increasing staff awareness of the necessity for a Zero Trust approach.

Zero Trust Security: Redefining Network Security

Zero Trust security frameworks are becoming essential for all businesses and organizations that utilize networks or store data in the cloud, particularly as more users access these networks from home.

By adopting key best practices, you can integrate your network into the expanding realm of Zero Trust frameworks. Micro-segmentation, encryption, and verification are fundamental tools for addressing increasingly complex online threats, ensuring effective protection for your network security.