Microsegmentation is the process of separating a network into zones to limit and control access between workloads and applications. Microsegmentation exists to limit the potential lateral movement of threats that can exist anywhere – both inside and outside your network. Each zone or segment can have its own set of security policies and access controls offering organizations more flexibility even with stronger security.
Zero Trust is a network security model that operates based on strict identity verification. This framework enforces the principle to only grant authenticated and authorized users and devices access to applications and data without exception. Its core focus is on safeguarding sensitive data, including personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI), payment card information (PCI), and intellectual property (IP).
With Zero Trust, the default stance is to deny access, requiring users and devices to prove their identity and authorization before accessing resources. This approach ensures that only authorized entities have access to critical assets, limiting the exposure to potential attackers. Microsegmentation takes this a step further by isolating critical assets and applications into separate segments, minimizing the potential impact of a breach.
Zero Trust and Microsegmentation help organizations meet these compliance requirements effectively. The granular access controls, robust authentication mechanisms, and comprehensive visibility offered by these security approaches align well with the stringent regulations in many industries, ensuring organizations meet their compliance obligations.
Contrary to the misconception that strong security measures hinder agility and scalability, Zero Trust and Microsegmentation can enhance these aspects. By adopting Zero Trust principles, organizations can establish secure connections between users, devices, and resources regardless of their location. Microsegmentation provides flexibility to adapt security policies to changing business requirements, creating efficiencies in scaling security measures.