Unlocking Secure Access: The Power of Zero Trust Network Access

Zero trust solutions enable secure remote access to applications and services from anywhere. They deliver granular access on a need-to-know basis while continuously verifying users, devices, and connections. Imagine a vigilant security guard checking your credentials every time you enter a building and continually monitoring your behavior. That’s the approach Zero Trust takes to thwart data breaches and cyber-attacks.

Invisible Traffic

Zero trust network access (ZTNA) is a security model and technology that replaces the traditional VPN with a cloud-based broker. The broker verifies the identity of users and their devices and enables access to applications hosted on-premises or in the cloud. It also delivers a superior user experience, consistent policy control, and network visibility. ZTNA is part of a larger security framework, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), which provides a complete and unified approach to secure remote access.

With a zero-trust architecture, you can be confident that only approved end-users can access your business-critical resources. Because all traffic is routed through the ZTNA system, all device connections are constantly monitored and validated for their risk profile. If a threat is detected, it can be blocked before it moves laterally across the network.

Many organizations need help with implementing a zero-trust security strategy. Creating profiles for every device and application can be time-consuming and cumbersome, while manual processes can create security gaps that hackers can exploit. However, IT teams can drive the business forward when they understand the benefits of a Zero Trust architecture and how it can help them meet their security goals.

Authentication & Authorization

Zero trust is a security framework based on “never trust, always verify.” Users, devices, and network connections are treated as untrusted by default. It also monitors and verifies traffic between different parts of the environment, including encrypted traffic, to identify potential threats. It also uses micro-segmentation and continuous monitoring to improve the security posture of networks that de-emphasize physical location and connect over the public internet.

Authentication and authorization are interrelated, but each has a role in the overall process. Authentication proves an individual’s identity, and authorization decides what that person can do with your system once they’re authenticated. For example, a bank will only let you open an account with proper identification, a form of authentication.

But once you’ve proven your identity, the bank will determine what types of transactions you can make. Zero trust solutions encrypt and inspect all traffic to ensure that only trusted end-users can access critical applications, data, and services. 

Network Segmentation

Network segmentation is breaking a computer network into smaller groups called subnets. Each subnet has its unique set of IP addresses and is separated by a physical or virtual firewall that controls traffic to and from each one. It’s an effective way to improve security and optimize network performance. Segmentation makes it harder for attackers to move laterally within the network and access critical assets.

It also helps companies achieve compliance with regulatory requirements by ensuring that sensitive data is isolated and only accessible to authorized users. There are two primary types of network segmentation: physical and logical. Physical segmentation combines switches, routers, and firewalls to physically separate networks in different locations. This is commonly used in large enterprise environments with multiple office locations or remote workers.

Logical segmentation, on the other hand, is a method of network segmentation that relies on virtualization and software-defined networking (SDN) technologies to manage traffic based on policies. Whether you use physical or logical network segmentation, designing and implementing a well-defined architecture that’s simple and easy to maintain over time is essential.

Monitoring and auditing your network architecture for security and performance issues is also essential. This will help identify gaps in your subnetworks that attackers could exploit and ensure that your network segmentation meets your business’s needs.

Continuous Monitoring

Continuous monitoring is a critical security practice for detecting threats in real time. It includes automated data collection, analysis, and reporting. This allows organizations to quickly detect and respond to cyberattacks, minimize the risk of data breaches, and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.

It also helps IT teams detect suspicious activities and perform effective incident response. To get the most out of continuous monitoring, IT teams should identify objectives and scope, establish baselines, and set meaningful KPIs to measure success. Zero trust network access solutions monitor endpoints, applications, and networks for potential risks, including lateral movement (attackers entering a network through one door but exiting through another).

These security measures help ensure your remote workforce has secure connectivity to internal resources while eliminating your attack surface. ZTNA provides unrivaled visibility into cloud services, websites, and private apps for any device. This helps you achieve a modern security architecture with the agility and performance required to meet the demands of your hybrid and remote workforce.

ZTNA is a critical component of the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) that includes network segmentation, authentication and authorization, and advanced analytics to reduce your attack surface. This helps protect sensitive data, meet privacy and security requirements such as GDPR and HIPAA, and improve business agility.