What is Zero Trust and Why Your SMB Needs a Zero Trust Policy

Zero Trust is a new term that has become essential for designing cyber security strategies and protocols. Zero Trust is a concept under which devices should never automatically be considered trusted devices, even if connected to a well-managed and secure network. According to Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org /wiki/ Zero_trust_security_model, a Zero Trust approach provides “access to applications and services based on the confidence of device identity and device health in combination with user authentication.” Based on the concept of “never trust, always verify,” Zero Trust is a cyber security philosophy that embraces protecting digital work environments by identifying a “protect surface” that is comprised of a company’s most sensitive data, greatest assets and all of the company’s most critical functions and then segmenting them into a secure micro perimeter. The segmentation gateway then ensures that only allowed traffic and approved applications can gain access to the network.

The Zero Trust Approach

Zero Trust is a corporate mindset that does not necessarily require buying new hardware or spending large amounts of capital. Zero Trust removes the need for cyber security judgment calls by users. Network security can never be left to chance. There is no particular application for Zero Trust. Usually, an SMB can use its existing technology to create a Zero Trust network environment at little or no cost. For smaller businesses, pre-emptively designing a Zero Trust approach can be cost saving. It’s important because the costs related to a severe data breach can go way beyond the loss of revenue. Once attacked, the companies might have to spend a lot more money hiring IT professionals to analyze the breach and discover the attack's source and consequences. Also, the cost of repairing the damage and securing the network against future events can be high. The ultimate costs to a small to midsized business can be devastating and could even lead to bankruptcy.

There is a fundamental process for the creation and deployment of a Zero Trust policy:

• Identify Critical Data and Define the Protect Surface – Businesses must do a “deep dive” into their systems. Identifying the most valuable or critical data that a company possesses needs to be thorough from the start. A Zero Trust approach is only as good as the plan. For it to work, Zero means Zero.
• Map Out the Data Flow – Once a company has defined the surface to be protected, a detailed data flow map is essential to ensure all pertinent data, devices, applications and work functions are covered and there are no weak links.
• Design and Build Zero Trust Architecture – Zero Trust is built by:
  • Increasing Secure Credential Management and Controlling Access – Companies must decide who can access what and from where.
  • Proper Segmentation – Defining what data segments go together, which are off-limits and who can access them works in tandem with credential management and overall access control.
  • Enabling the Least Privileges Necessary – It is always better to provide only those privileges required for users to do their jobs.
  • Integrating Application Context to the Firewall – Application context assumes that all companies have important applications most of their users do not need to access. For example, a graphic designer might need to use design software every day but is unlikely to need access to the company’s accounting software.
  • Carefully Monitoring Cyber Security-related Events – The only way to cement an effective Zero Trust approach is by creating event logs of potential cyber threats. Zero Trust is not “set and forget.” Event logs must be automatically created and monitored for the system to remain secure.
• Create a System-wide Zero Trust Policy – Zero Trust Architecture only works if all the devices, networks, applications and users are on the same page. Any workarounds to circumvent the policy run the risk of opening an opportunity for a cyberattack.

Small to midsized businesses cannot afford to ignore cyber security. It is essential for safely doing business and protecting hard-earned business data. As the growing tech world and our use of online technology now encompass so many areas of our personal and business lives, cybercriminals continue to stay in step and find new ways to attack private and business data. Smaller businesses have neither the time nor the budget for a full-time IT department. Therefore, it is essential to employ IT experts to provide IT consulting and risk analysis to assess your cyber vulnerability and help you design the best layers of protection for your hard-earned business data.

DIGIGUARD Cyber Security Knows How to Implement a Zero Trust Policy

DIGIGUARD, a small business IT company specializing in preventing cyber threats of all kinds, has a wide array of solutions to protect against cybercrimes and ensure you have the best possible protection. It works with small and midsized businesses to provide cyber risk training and establish cyber security best practices to ensure your confidential data is secure. In addition, DIGIGUARD locks down your devices, making sure they have the specific protections they require, especially those used for remote-access work. For any business, cyberattacks can have devastating consequences. DIGIGUARD can assess your cyber risks and work with you to design Zero Trust architecture and all the best protection solutions for your business.

Call DIGIGUARD CYBER SECURITY at 833-33-CYBER (833-332-9237) and visit www.DIGIGUARDsecurity.com to discuss how you can increase your company’s level of cyber security and avoid a deadly cyberattack.