Zero Trust concept: a new level of corporate data protection

Multi-factor authentication is used in almost every serious system today. But despite this, hackers continue to break into networks. If they manage to gain access, they can stay inside the system as long as they want until they log out or the system itself logs them out.

The upshot: you can't trust anyone! This is the Zero Trust philosophy - an approach to information security where access to systems and data is not automatically granted, even if the user is inside the corporate network. Every request - user, device or connection - is vetted: authentication, monitoring and risk assessment are performed before access is granted.

What is Zero Trust?
The concept of Zero Trust is being promoted by such industry giants as Microsoft and IBM, Emat ltd specialists shared. Unlike the traditional approach, where users and devices are considered secure within the network, Zero Trust requires verification of every request regardless of its source - external network, internal segment or even its own employee.

The system verifies identity, device status and connection type. A company's transition to the Zero Trust model is not a one-month process, so the process is set up in several approaches, deciding in advance where to start - for example, protecting remote access, cloud services or key internal systems.

Zero Trust includes five main parts. Each part is responsible for a specific area of security, from user access to protecting critical information.

I. Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Zero Trust requires access controls to be configured for each resource. This helps protect data wherever it resides. IAM allows centralised management of users and their access rights. Users get convenient access through single sign-on (SSO) and access to critical systems is through multi-factor authentication (MFA).

II. Privileged Access Management (PAM)
PAM, or ‘Principle of Least Privilege.’ A user or service is given the minimum required set of rights and access only to those resources that are actually needed for operation. The system is primarily aimed at those who have special access rights: administrators, engineers, DevOps. It records: who, when and on what basis gained access. For the most critical resources, an additional level of security and visibility is introduced, Emat development managers noted. PAM tools are used: CyberArk, BeyondTrust or Thycotic.

III. Password Policy
As hackers use new ways of breaking and entering on a daily basis, the requirements for password security are also changing. For example, it used to be recommended to use complex passwords with a set of random characters, but now it is considered better to use long but clear words. Not so long ago it was found that changing passwords every 90 days does not reduce the level of risk of hacking or penetration, because attackers very quickly use compromised passwords, but multi-factor authentication (MFA) - reduces.

IV. Continuous Monitoring
The Zero Trust concept needs to be introduced gradually and applied continuously. Even after logging in, one should not ‘relax’. It is necessary to monitor how and what the user accesses. Any suspicious action (logging in from another country, downloading large amounts of data), any anomaly is a reason to check or block. Every access to a resource is checked, logged and analysed in real time. If the user's behaviour changes (for example, logging in at night from a new IP), the system should record this and, if necessary, restrict actions.

V. Network micro-segmentation
Micro-segmentation is the division of IT infrastructure into many small, logically isolated segments. Each segment has its own access rules. Even if an attacker gains access to one segment, he cannot go beyond it. Micro-segmentation can be implemented at different levels: network, virtual, application. Separate zones are allocated for databases, with access allowed only from application servers.

Emat EOOD it company uses tools and platforms in its work with customers:

• VMware NSX - micro-segmentation at the virtual machine level.
• Cisco ACI - hardware micro-segmentation in data centres.
• Illumio Core - flexible solution with agents on servers.
• Microsoft Azure (NSG, Firewall, JIT) - micro-segmentation in the cloud.
• Kubernetes Network Policies - traffic separation in microservice architecture.

Why businesses should move to Zero Trust
The boundaries between internal and external networks have long been blurred: employees work from home, data is stored in the cloud, and attacks are becoming more sophisticated. Moving a business to Zero Trust is a long and gradual process. In the first stages, you will have to overcome employee resistance ("it's inconvenient for us), integrate new software into legacy systems, and adapt processes to new security requirements.

Zero Trust allows you to:

1. Protect against phishing, malware, and account hacking
2. Minimise damage from data breaches
3. Increase security when working remotely
4. Comply with standards (GDPR, HIPAA, ISO)
5. Reduce risks associated with human error

This is especially important for companies handling sensitive data, especially in the government, medical and financial sectors.

Zero Trust is an approach, culture and strategy. It requires investment in technology, revision of architecture, change of approach to access. But in return, it delivers the essentials - control, resilience and flexibility. And in the face of growing cyber threats, it is no longer an option, but a necessity.