Getting started on your Zero Trust journey
Tags: zerotrust, security
Published: 2023-02-07 07:37:37

Zero Trust is an information security model based on the assumption that all actors, both internal and external, are untrusted and should never be allowed access to resources without explicit authorization. The ultimate goal is to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information, no matter where it is stored or accessed.

The core components of a Zero Trust Security Model are:

**Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):** Using MFA enables organizations to ensure that only authorized individuals can access their networks and systems, by requiring multiple forms of identification to authenticate users.

**Access Control:** Access control is the process of restricting access to a system based on user roles and privileges. Access control can also be used to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data and systems.

**Least Privilege:** The principle of least privilege stipulates that users and applications should only have access to the resources they need to perform their job. This means organizations should grant the least amount of necessary access to their systems and data.

**Microsegmentation:** Microsegmentation is a security strategy that divides a network into small segments to help protect critical resources from unauthorized access. By segmenting the network, organizations can reduce the risk of a security breach by limiting the attack surface.

In addition to these core components, Zero Trust models should include other security measures such as endpoint security, security monitoring, patch management, and encryption. When used together, these measures can help mitigate the risk of a data breach and protect the organization from malicious actors. 

Getting started on your Zero Trust journey is a complex task, but it is a necessary one. The steps to begin your journey are outlined below.

**Determine Your Security Goals:** Before you begin your Zero Trust journey, it's important to take the time to identify your security goals, such as ensuring compliance, reducing risk, or protecting sensitive data. This will help you to identify the areas that need the most attention and set the guidelines for your journey.


**Review Your Existing Security Solutions:** After you have identified your security goals, it's important to review your existing security solutions. This includes assessing your current network, perimeter, and identity access management (IAM) system and determining how they can be modified to better meet your needs. This is an important step as it will help you to identify any areas that are not adequately protected or that may need to be supplemented with additional security measures.

**Implement Multi-factor Authentication (MFA):** Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an essential part of any Zero Trust strategy. MFA requires users to provide multiple factors of authentication, such as a password and a code sent to their phones, before they are granted access. This added layer of security can help to protect your data from malicious actors.

**Utilize User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA):** User and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) is another tool that can help you to protect your data. UEBA is a form of machine learning that looks for anomalies in user behavior. If unusual activity is detected, the system can alert administrators, who can then investigate to determine if the activity is malicious or not. 

**Implement Risk-Based Access Policy:** Risk-based access policy is another key element of a Zero Trust strategy. This policy looks at the user, the device, and the context of the transaction in order to determine the level of access that should be granted.