How to Adopt A Zero Trust Model

What Is a Zero Trust Model?

Zero Trust is a modern security model founded on the principle: “Never trust, always verify.” While traditional models define an attack surface and build a wall around it to keep threat actors at bay, in Zero Trust, all users must prove themselves trustworthy. The model requires all devices and users to be authenticated, authorized, and regularly validated before being granted access. By requiring validation at every access point, Zero Trust helps prevent security breaches. In fact, one study found that fully deployed Zero Trust saved companies 43% on data breach costs.

4 Steps to Adopting a Zero Trust Model  

1. Conduct a data audit

The first step to adopting a Zero Trust model for your business is to carry out a data audit to understand the kind of data you have, its level of sensitivity, and where it resides. An audit will reveal who in your organization has access to what data and whether they need to have that access. From there, you can develop policies to limit access to only those that need it.  

2. Identify security weak points

Evaluate your current security systems to identify any weak points that may have allowed past data breaches. Inventory and secure all devices to prevent unauthorized access to your network.  

3. Third-party software solutions

Two of the easiest tools to implement are multi-factor authentication (MFA) and a password management system. MFA is an authentication method that requires a user to provide two or more verification factors to gain access. A password management system is a place to store, generate, and manage passwords. The system encourages users to use both more complex and a greater variety of unique passwords by storing them in one convenient and secure place. Enabling MFA across all devices, regardless of if the user is working remotely or in-office, is an easy step a company can take to support a Zero Trust model at their organization.  

4. Develop a long-term plan

Adopting a Zero Trust security model is not a one-time process. Companies need to develop long-term protection plans that evolve as the threat landscape evolves. It is key that security teams conduct frequent cybersecurity risk assessments to ensure their security model is solid. As security threats advance and a company grows, they must update access permissions to maintain the integrity of their data and systems.  

Entara: Integrated Security Solutions

Zero Trust provides security leaders with a more rigorous security posture for today’s world of escalating risk. Entara can support your organization’s migration to a Zero Trust model through our integrated security solutions that evolve with our clients’ businesses.  

Connect with us to learn how you can strengthen your organization’s approach to cyber security.

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