Zero Trust Architecture: From a Buzzword to Clear Approach

Did you notice that each business action regarding digital modernization or transformation has another side, which is not so pleasant for companies? It's about sophisticated hacker attacks leading to data leaks, enormous penalties, and loss of brand reputation. Literally, every tech-oriented initiative now is accompanied by this threat: implementation of IoT, work with BigData, and even poor segregation of duties during the software development process.

Companies found a solution to avoid consequences and organized the overall software ecosystem operation based on the "Never Trust, Always Verify" principle. It means that any user action or tech activity capable of potentially harming the company must be constantly checked and improved in order to prevent threats.

Curious, but the same now applies to business relations. To avoid downtime or breaching contracts, enterprises are used to having a backup plan and involve several parties to perform one project. In case of one supplier's failure, they will have at least another provider that is already on it.

The Zero Trust architecture seems straightforward, but it is still a buzzword for most business leaders. We decided to make this approach clear for you, allow you to explore its benefits, and discover how to turn your current architecture into a Zero Trust one. Scroll down to dive into details.

What is Zero Trust Architecture About?

Zero Trust is a way of thinking, not a specific technology or architecture. It's really about zero implicit trust, as that's what we want to get rid of."

Zero Trust Architecture is software architecture built following the above "Never Trust, Always Verify" principle. Any person or gadget trying to interact with your architecture should meet risk management requirements. This philosophy calls everything that happens with your software basis into question.

A shining example of the Zero Trust principle is the strict segregation of duties before a software development project starts. No involved specialist should carry out one extensive process from beginning to end. In other words, participate in all stages. Otherwise, it opens room for creating loopholes and the possibility of using the knowledge to harm the business.

Segregation of duties here is similar to the first thing you should do to create Zero Trust architecture - Zero trust network access (ZTNA). The principle is the same: engineers should grant access to software to each user based on location, identity, user history, etc. No user can perform more than allowed. Moreover, no user can work with the software before the proper verification and relevant permission.

Zero Trust architecture is a must-have for public and private sector representatives to eliminate a zero-day vulnerability, the one in a system that has been disclosed but is not fixed. This vulnerability created big troubles for Ukrainian telco operator Ukrtelecom during the cyber war with Russia. Probably it also can be risky for you. So Zero Trust architecture creation is precisely what you need to perform to remain secure.

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Business & Tech Benefits From Implementation of Zero Trust Approach

Business Pros	Tech Pros
Development of a reputable and trusted brand	Creation of highly-secured and advanced architecture
Compliance with international and local data protection acts	Easier detection and elimination of software weaknesses
Lower operation costs	Fewer risk of harmful cyberattacks that leads to workload optimization

How to Tailor Your Architecture To the "Never Trust, Always Verify" Principle

Step 1. Creation of ZTNA

Build reliable authentication procedures to check the user's identity and ensure the applied device is safe. You can use various methods starting from 2-step verification and ending with the biometric one. It will help you work with transparent traffic and respond immediately to any issue. At the very end, remember that users should have the least access to comply with the security measures.

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Step 2. Watch the apps you work with

Eliminate implicit trust in various app components during their interaction. Monitor their operation to track their behavior. It will help you detect the danger before it becomes a huge problem for your digital ecosystem and business.

Step 3. Apply Zero Trust to infrastructure

Don't leave any chance to hackers. Check all the infrastructure components, from devices and routers to the cloud and IoT. Most cutting-edge technologies are risky since they create an opportunity for cyber attacks. To remain secure and get the most out of them simultaneously, you should always call their operation and connections into question.

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The Bottom Line

Vendors are used to apply the term “Zero Trust” to everything, creating significant confusion. Probably, that's the reason business leaders still don't understand the role and importance of Zero Trust architecture for their companies.

Meanwhile, it can ensure the high level of security enterprises strive for, preventing costly consequences such as downtime, fixing the results of hacker attacks, or paying penalties for breaching GDPR.

To be honest, the Zero Trust approach applies to any part of business, whether in marketing, sales, or tech. However, in the age of digital technologies, compliance with it when building architecture is crucial.

If you're looking for a way of implementing Zero Trust architecture but don't know where to start - contact our sales team. JEVERA specialists will advise you on the most appropriate starting point capable of making your digital environment secure.