In a previous blog post titled, The 5 Steps to Building a Zero Trust Network; we suggested “The Zero Trust model is the response to the realization that the perimeter security approach hasn’t been effective. Many data breaches happened because attackers who got past corporate firewalls managed to move through internal systems without discovery.”
Let’s precisely define Zero Trust and Microsegmentation and then discuss the benefits.
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), all of which hold significant value to potential attackers.
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.
With the definitions clarified let’s explore the benefits Zero Trust and Microsegmentation offer and how they can enhance organizations’ overall security posture.
Zero Trust and Microsegmentation provide a granular approach to data protection. Organizations can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access by implementing Zero Trust principles, such as identity verification and strict access controls. Microsegmentation complements Zero Trust by dividing the network into isolated segments, ensuring that the remaining network remains secure even if compromise occurs in one segment.
Zero Trust and Microsegmentation enable enhanced visibility and control over network traffic. Organizations gain a comprehensive understanding of all user activities and network flows, allowing them to more effectively identify potential security gaps or anomalous behavior. Microsegmentation further strengthens this control by defining and enforcing strict traffic rules within each segment, limiting lateral movement of threats.
Zero Trust and Microsegmentation significantly reduce an organization’s attack surface. 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.
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. This facilitates remote work and enables rapid deployment of new applications. Microsegmentation provides flexibility to adapt security policies to changing business requirements, creating efficiencies in scaling security measures.
For organizations operating in regulated industries, such as finance or healthcare, complying with industry-specific regulations and standards is essential. 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.
Zero Trust and Microsegmentation are two powerful security strategies that offer numerous benefits to organizations looking to enhance their cybersecurity posture. By implementing these approaches, organizations can achieve enhanced data protection, increased visibility and control, minimized attack surfaces, improved agility and scalability, and regulatory compliance. Embracing Zero Trust and Microsegmentation strengthens an organization’s security defenses and provides peace of mind in an ever-evolving threat landscape.