What is Zero Trust?
A single and traditional validation is far from being enough to secure access and data. Find out how Multifactor Authentication (MFA) can help you implement a Zero Trust security policy.
What exactly is Zero Trust?
It is the name given to an IT security model which requires all users and devices, them being inside or outside the organization’s network perimeter, to be authenticated and authorized to access networks, applications, and data.
When it comes to Zero Trust, a single and traditional validation is far from being enough. Threats and user attributes are likely to change and cyberattacks are getting more and more sophisticated.
Therefore, organisations must ensure that all access requests are continuously verified before allowing connection to any assets (network, apps, etc).
Where does the concept come from?
It is not just one of the latest cybersecurity’s buzzwords. The model was actually created in 2010 by John Kindervag, a former Forrester Research analyst, also considered as one of the world’s foremost cybersecurity experts. Driven by the “never trust, always check” principle, implementing a Zero Trust strategy aims to protect modern digital environments.
What technology is behind Zero Trust?
There is no specific product or solution that enables organizations to achieve Zero Trust alone. The “Zero trust networks” or “Zero Trust architectures” is a global approach to the design and implementation of IT networks which calls upon several different principles and technologies.
In 2021, 42 percent of respondents from a global survey report that they have plans to adopt a zero trust strategy and are in the early phases of doing so. In general, 72 percent of respondents have plans of adopting zero trust in the future or have already adopted it.¹
Why is a Zero Trust approach important?
Zero Trust policies are taken at a strategic level to establish, monitor and maintain secure perimeters within the access to networks, applications, and data.
As users are becoming increasingly mobile and facing sophisticated cyberthreat, organisations can be expected to quickly adopt a Zero Trust security mindset to minimize the spread of breaches and their consequences, whether financial or brand-related. It is especially critical as companies tend to increase the number of endpoints within their network and expand their infrastructure to include cloud-based applications and servers.
How can MFA help you achieve Zero Trust?
While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, there are some essential elements to any Zero Trust device, including MFA.
MFA Multifactor Authentication in a Zero Trust approach
Multifactor authentication (MFA), or strong authentication, is a key component to achieving Zero Trust. It adds a layer of security to access a network, application or database by requiring additional factors to prove the identity of users.
However, not all MFA solutions are the same as the technologies behind them are quite different. There are several criteria to consider when evaluating the security and user experience of the different vendors.
Zero Trust is the name given to an IT security model which requires all users and devices, them being inside or outside the organization’s network perimeter, to be authenticated and authorized to access networks, applications, and data. Zero Trust policies are taken at a strategic level to establish, monitor and maintain secure perimeters within the access to networks, applications, and data.
While there is no single solution for creating a Zero Trust environment and each organization’s needs are unique, there are solutions for prevention. A multi-factor authentication solution MFA and an identity and access orchestrator are essential solutions for creating a Zero Trust environment.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a key component to achieving Zero Trust as it adds a layer of security to access a network, application or database by requiring additional factors to prove the identity of users. Though it is important to keep in mind that not all MFA solution are alike.
