Identity is the First Step towards Zero Trust

Identity is the First Step towards Zero Trust

Identity is the new perimeter, according to the most recent industry zero-trust frameworks and most beneficial practices. Companies need an identity-centric approach to security as they continue to build and refine their dynamic and hybrid work environments. This ensures that the right people have the right level of access to the right resources, in the right context.

The zero-trust security approach is increasingly being seen as a means for businesses to meet and accelerate their digital transformation goals. When the pandemic struck, organizations’ digital transformation and zero trust efforts went into overdrive, as they were suddenly required to serve significant numbers of employees working remotely outside of the office network.

However, because each organization’s needs are different, zero trust is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Prior infrastructure investments, varying degrees of cybersecurity knowledge, and senior buy-in can all have an impact on how a company implements a zero-trust architecture. They should also consider new product and service development, employee behavior, regulatory compliance, and other factors.

Also Read: Five Zero Trust Myths CISOs Should Know

The most crucial aspect, though, is a shift in organizational thinking. Businesses need to consider that anything and everything can be hacked and that nothing can be trusted when there is zero trust. Bad actors will undoubtedly continue to be inventive in their deeds, and organizations must adapt to stay up.

Unlike typical security architectures, zero trust places a greater emphasis on identity controls rather than network perimeter protection. The network is critical, but with the proliferation of IoT devices, cloud resources, users, APIs, data, and so on, the concept of trusted perimeters has become untenable. To cope with this expansion, each business should review its zero-trust posture in terms of people, processes, and infrastructure in order to fulfill its specific requirements.

The foundation is laid by identity

“Never trust, always verify” is a key principle of zero trust, which means that all users and devices must first be authenticated and permitted before they can access sensitive resources or data. Beyond the network, identity should play a critical role in enforcing trust at a more granular level, such as with people, devices, and other resources.

Once those requirements are established, zero trust provides businesses with a slew of new benefits and capabilities that can help them alter their security posture.

Organizations can also improve the user experience for employees, customers, and partners by using zero trust. The user experience is vital to zero trust success, especially as remote work becomes more prevalent. Businesses are leery of over-locking systems at the expense of employee productivity. When done effectively, identity enables smooth access, allowing employees to remain productive and safe.

Also Read: Questions for Security Teams While Evaluating their Cloud Security Posture

Partner carefully

Any vendor or product that claims to be the only solution to a company’s problems should be avoided. The components of a zero-trust ecosystem are numerous. It’s not just about the technology; people and internal processes are also crucial to success.

Executive buy-in and adherence to zero trust standards from IT and security teams are required for a successful rollout. Many security professionals, on the other hand, have based their careers on deploying network security tools aimed at securing the perimeter.

Communication is critical. Stakeholders should comprehend how identity security will aid in the scale management of everything. By reducing friction for employees and administrators, an identity-centric approach reduces business interruption.

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