Zero Trust Security is an approach to cybersecurity that has gained popularity in recent years.
The traditional approach to security involves trusting users and devices on a network by default, which can leave the network vulnerable to attacks.
In 2014, Sony Pictures was hit with a massive data breach that released confidential company information, including emails, scripts, and employee salaries. The breach was caused by an insider who was disgruntled with the company.
Zero trust security, however, assumes that all users and devices are untrusted and require verification before granting access to network resources.
While trust might be a human thing, it is unlikely the case when it affects users' data and when breaking user trust can result in bankruptcy and total collapse of the business.
In this article, we'll discuss the steps involved in implementing zero trust security.
Define the network
The first step in implementing zero trust security is to define the network. This involves identifying all assets that need to be protected, such as servers, databases, applications, and data storage systems. By identifying these assets, you can begin to understand the scope of your network and what needs to be secured.
Create a data inventory.
The next step is to create a data inventory. This involves documenting all sensitive data, including the location and format of each data element, and assigning risk levels to them. This information can be used to determine access policies and ensure appropriate security controls are in place.
Determine access policies
Once you have identified the network and created a data inventory, the next step is determining access policies. Access policies should be developed to determine who has access to what data and under what circumstances. Access should be granted based on the principle of least privilege, meaning that users should only be given access to the data they need to do their jobs.
Implement multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication is a critical component of zero-trust security. It requires all users to provide multiple forms of identification to access the network or specific applications. This can include something they know, such as a password or PIN, something they have, such as a smartphone or token, or something they are, such as biometric data. By requiring multiple forms of identification, you can ensure that only authorized users are accessing network resources.
Implement network segmentation
Network segmentation involves creating a segmented network that separates different types of assets and restricts access between them. This can help contain any damage caused by a breach. By segmenting the network, you can limit the impact of an attack and prevent an attacker from moving laterally through the network.
Monitor all network activity.
Monitoring all network activity is essential for detecting and preventing attacks. Use tools to monitor user behaviour and application usage. This can help detect anomalies and suspicious activity. You can detect and respond to attacks in real-time by monitoring network activity.
Use micro-segmentation
Micro-segmentation further segments the network by creating smaller zones around specific data or applications. This can help prevent the lateral movement of attackers if one zone is breached. By creating smaller zones, you can limit the impact of an attack and prevent an attacker from accessing sensitive data.
Implement endpoint security
Endpoint security involves monitoring and controlling all endpoints, including laptops, mobile devices, and IoT devices. These devices can be vulnerable to attacks, and by monitoring and controlling them, you can prevent unauthorized access and detect any suspicious activity.
Regularly review and update policies.
Zero trust security is an ongoing process, and policies should be reviewed and updated regularly to keep up with new threats and changes to the network infrastructure. Regularly reviewing and updating policies ensures that your network remains secure and your organization is protected against the latest threats.
Best Platforms to use when implementing these policies
Zero trust security is a model for network security that assumes that all network traffic is potentially malicious and that no user or device should be automatically trusted.
Cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) offer a variety of features to support zero-trust security. In this article, we will discuss the different features offered by each of these cloud providers.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
IAM is a centralized location to manage user identities and permissions. With IAM, organizations can control who has access to their cloud resources and what actions they can perform.
AWS IAM can be used to define roles and permissions for users, groups, and services.
ACLs can be used to control access to AWS resources. These access control lists work at the subnet level, providing an additional layer of security to an organization's network.
ACLs are stateless, meaning that incoming and outgoing traffic is evaluated separately.
AWS Security Groups can be used to control access to EC2 instances. They function as virtual firewalls that allow or deny traffic based on rules set up by an organization. Security groups can be assigned to individual instances or a group of instances.
The WAF can protect web applications from common attack vectors, such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS). AWS WAF provides customizable rules to help detect and block malicious traffic.
AWS Shield protects against distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. AWS Shield offers two tiers of protection: Standard and Advanced. The Standard tier is available to all AWS customers, while the Advanced tier is a paid service that provides additional protection against more sophisticated DDoS attacks.
Microsoft Azure
Azure AD provides a centralized location to manage user identities and permissions. With Azure AD, organizations can control who has access to their cloud resources and what actions they can perform. Azure AD can define user, group, and service roles and permissions.
NSGs can be used to control access to Azure resources. These security groups work at the network interface level, allowing organizations to apply security rules to virtual machines (VMs) and subnets.
Azure Security Groups can be used to control access to Azure VMs. They function as virtual firewalls that allow or deny traffic based on rules set up by an organization. Security groups can be assigned to individual VMs or a group of VMs.
The WAF can protect web applications from common attack vectors, such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS). Azure WAF provides customizable rules to help detect and block malicious traffic.
Azure DDoS Protection protects against DDoS attacks. Azure DDoS Protection offers two tiers of protection: Basic and Standard. The Basic tier is included with Azure services, while the Standard tier is a paid service that provides additional protection against more sophisticated DDoS attacks.
Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Google Cloud Platform is another popular cloud provider offering various features to support zero trust security.
Google Cloud IAM is the central location for managing user identities and permissions. It allows administrators to control who can access which resources in the GCP environment.
NSPs provide granular control over network traffic within the GCP environment. They can be used to define which types of traffic are allowed or blocked and can be applied to specific instances or groups of instances.
SGs are used to control access to VM instances in the GCP environment. Administrators can create SGs to define which IP addresses or ranges can connect to the instances.
The GCP WAF protects web applications against common attack vectors. It can be used to block requests that are identified as malicious or potentially harmful.
Cloud Armor is a DDoS protection service that GCP offers. It can detect and mitigate DDoS attacks against applications running in the GCP environment.
Conclusion
Implementing zero trust security involves various steps, from defining the network and creating a data inventory to implementing multi-factor authentication and endpoint security.
By following these steps, you can create a comprehensive zero-trust security strategy that helps protect against external and internal threats to your network and data.
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