Zero Trust Security requires all users, whether in or outside of a business’ network, to be authenticated, authorized, and continuously validated for security configuration before being granted or keeping access to applications and data. Zero Trust assumes the networks can be local, in the cloud, or a combination with resources anywhere and workers in any location.
The Zero Trust security trend has been gaining more traction in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. With more employees working from home, it quickly becomes apparent there is a need for a more granular approach to ensuring who is allowed to access what data and applications both when and where.
Most organizations rely on a directory to control who should access files and their associated applications. Even though directories can apply conditional access, the issue IT organizations will come to terms with is to what degree extending directories will be sufficient.
Every machine and piece of software running on those machines should have a unique identity in an ideal world. Cybersecurity teams at a glance should be able to correlate who is using what machine when as part of a transition to zero-trust security architecture.
Making the transition to that level of zero-trust security obviously will take time. Most organizations will look to extend the identity management capabilities of existing directories as best they can. However, directories were never really intended to be security tools. They’ve been extended over time to add security capabilities. IT organizations need a more comprehensive approach to identity that spans people, machines, and software.
The good news is more attention to what zero-trust security means is starting to be paid. Due to the effects of the pandemic, it was proven networks are no longer safe. And the paradigm from complex network security to simple file security eases the administrative burden while providing more robust protection of your sensitive data.
In today’s world of increasingly growing cyberattack methods, zero-trust architecture is the only way to be secure. As our need to share information and collaborate increases, sensitive data is digital, online, and at risk. Data is a valuable asset to any business, and it’s time to shift from protecting networks and computers to safeguarding the sensitive data itself. To learn more about how Centrality can help you, click HERE or contact us at 502.267.2552.
