Trust, but verify is a popular Russian proverb that emphasizes the importance of validating information and not blindly relying on it. This proverb gained further prominence when U.S. President Ronald Reagan used it frequently to discuss relations with the Soviet Union.
In today’s IT security landscape, the concept of trust and verification is being taken seriously, particularly through the implementation of the zero-trust security policy.
The principle of Zero-Trust
The Zero Trust model is founded on the principle that organizations should not automatically trust anything, whether it originates from within or outside their environment. Instead, they should verify and authenticate every attempt to connect to their system before granting access. This approach challenges the traditional mindset of creating a fortress-like environment and assuming that internal elements are inherently secure.
Modern corporate networks consist of various interconnected zones, cloud services, and mobile environments. With the increasing complexity of IT systems, relying on traditional methods such as trusting devices within a corporate perimeter or through a VPN is no longer sufficient. Instead, organizations need a robust security model that constantly conducts checks and enhances security measures.
Continuous evaluation
Zero Trust necessitates strict adherence to security protocols and continuous evaluation based on corporate policies developed according to industry standards. All devices and users must be identified, authenticated, granted minimal necessary access, and constantly monitored before they can access the network.
One of the key requirements of Zero Trust is comprehensive visibility, which involves actively and passively discovering all users and devices on the network. Additionally, minimal access micro-segmentation and control ensure that access is granted only to essential resources, while continuous monitoring and implementation reduce the risks associated with threats and malware.
Zero Trust implementation
Implementing Zero Trust requires a holistic approach and must encompass the entire corporate system, including cloud services. It is essential to regularly update policies and expand the scope of Zero Trust principles. By adopting Zero Trust, organizations can enhance their network security, mitigate risks associated with vulnerable IoT devices, and limit the impact of advanced threats that can bypass traditional security controls.
The relevance of Zero Trust has further increased in the post-Covid era, where remote working has become the norm. As remote work continues to be embraced worldwide, the adoption of Zero Trust is expected to accelerate. It enables secure access to cloud-based and on-premise services, empowering organizations to manage and orchestrate their systems securely, implement necessary safeguards, and easily monitor them.
In conclusion, the Zero Trust approach provides a comprehensive and proactive security framework for organizations in today’s dynamic and interconnected IT landscape. By implementing the principles of trust and verification, organizations can enhance their security posture, adapt to evolving threats, and ensure the protection of sensitive data.
