Why a Zero Trust Philosophy is the Superior Cloud Security Approach

Technical resources such as firewalls and data encryption are only as useful as the hands that wield them. That is why when it comes to cloud security, a key strategy like the Zero Trust approach is equally important in protecting sensitive data. The concept of Zero Trust is exactly what it sounds in which its basic principle is to never trust and always verify any user (or otherwise) within or outside of the secured network. This concept is reenforced by the authorization processes of people and devices along with constant inspection of the security framework. Strict privileges, user access, and authentication are required for all applications, devices, and users, making the Zero Trust approach the most secure Cloud Security strategy.

The Zero Trust philosophy targets areas of weakness that start at its core and then builds a security infrastructure from the inside-out instead of vice versa. This is achieved through micro-segmentation in which assets are reorganized and placed in zones where they are further isolated by standard security measures, therefore creating multiple lines of defense against potential threats. The secret to its success is a complete understanding of the aforementioned weak points: people, devices, and network.

Now that remote productivity is more important than ever, security leaders have a more difficult time isolating and granting authorization to employees working from their personal devices on home networks. Each employee working from a non-centralized network creates another access point to the organization’s cloud infrastructure for attackers to take advantage of. Obviously, there is no controlling what employees do on their devices on their personal time, which means that each of them is susceptible to fall victim to malware from the various websites they visit and programs they use. In order to combat this increased potential, data and resources are segmented and the privileges of users are limited to the point where they are only given access to the resources absolutely necessary to perform their duties. Limited access, constant monitoring of assets, and segmenting data are all integral to the Zero Trust policy.

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the network of physical devices connected to each other through the internet. As smart appliances become increasingly popular, traditional computers, phones, and tablets are no longer the only devices connected to the internet. Televisions, refrigerators, CCTV systems, and even cars are have become entry points for potential hackers, leading to an increase of vulnerabilities within the cloud infrastructure. By designating zones in which devices can exist and connect to the network, IT specialists can isolate non-essential devices such as appliances, personal phones, tablets, and computers from company authorized computers. In other words, segmenting devices and parts of the cloud network allows for easier threat identification and location in the case of an attack.