Zero-Trust Concept

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zero-Trust Concept

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Zero-Trust Concept

Introduction

The rise in the information age makes data management a vital factor in the management of various organizations. Governments, corporations, the health sector, and the military divisions are collecting, storing, processing, and analyzing massive data records. Nonetheless, there has been a rise in cyber threats due to illegal entry to systems. Attackers identify the weak links in firms and launch viruses, malware, and other phishing to gain sensitive data or commit fraud. As such, cybersecurity is crucial for any organization willing to stay relevant in their industry. Models like the Zero Trust are one way in which institutions, especially the military, can gain an edge through the safeguarding of their information from unauthorized access, loss, or modifications. This research paper will define, analyze, and demonstrate how the Zero-Trust concept’s deployment improves the Army’s architecture and security posture.

The Zero-Trust Concept

The Zero-Trust Concept is a security measure in which firms do not trust anything within and outside its control[1]. This proactive, innovative, and in-demand model is attributable to John Kindervag. He was an analyst at Forrester[2]. Correspondingly, organizations are to verify all new software, hardware, or people before granting them access to their system. The goal in this context is the network blocking any unauthorized access of data unless there is an affirmation of a need-to-know basis. For example, financial workers in a bank require the use of accounting software. Consequently, the company prevents other employees from accessing the system. None of them is also allowed to share data without due authority as that results in serious violations. Alternatively, the military holds large amounts of data that need high-security levels to minimize spying activities by rival groups.

Application of the Zero-Trust Concept in Workplaces

The Zero-Trust Concept works by leveraging the organizational perimeter and environmental micro-segmentation depending on the system users, data, and locations. These variables help in determining the right to access an enterprise by monitoring traffic. Foremost, the firm analyzes the user and their credentials. Again, monitor the security from their endpoint and gauge whether they meet the company’s policies. Several technologies are applicable in this stage, namely multifactor authentication, encryption, orchestration, and file system permissions. The military can thus transform from a perimeter-based security approach to data centrism. These new mechanism grants minimal access for each task in the Army network and therefore prevents exfiltration. The system becomes more defined to the characteristics of the data and its users through the incorporation of authentication factors like the Identity Credential Access Management.

Significantly, the military stakeholders undergo training on the significance of the new measure for reduced resistance among the personnel. This security approach ensures consistency in the visibility, control, and enforcement policies of the user device either directly or indirectly in the case of remote system entry. As a result, it becomes easy to detect any suspicious actions on the network and mitigate the impacts early enough. Additionally, the company achieves compliance with data security and privacy policies. Nonetheless, the Zero-Trust Model is only viable with the integration of other security technologies.

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Zero-Trust Concept

Zero-Trust Concepts technologies are growing into the mainstream security systems due to its strengths as a data protection measure. Foremost, the measure is cost-beneficial. In the past, companies invest in costly security measures but find no meaningful returns[3]. On the contrary, the Zero Trust Model offers better results. Secondly, the goal of this new approach encompasses analyzing both the inside and outside of the organization. In previous cases, firms often controlled external threats while ignoring the dangers within the system. As such, hackers had a considerable amount of freedom as long as they access through the company’s firewalls. Thirdly, the Zero-Trust Concept complements the alterations in the technological field. Many enterprises are shifting from corporate data systems into cloud storage and on-premise applications. As a result, employees and the public have access to similar platforms. The Zero Trust Model thus offers more robust usage policies, data security, and resource management.

Despite these strengths, the Zero-Trust Concept has several weaknesses. Technological advancement allows workers and customers to access organizational websites from remote areas. Correspondingly, there exist multiple yet varied access points that pose a challenge for the Zero-Trust Concept. There are several devices and applications, each with unique domains, protocols, and requirements that make it hard to yield positive outcomes. As a result, data storage must be flawless, or the weaknesses of the security measure will be evident.

In conclusion, the deployment of the Zero-Trust Concept improves the Army’s architecture and security posture in multiple ways. Information grew into an essential commodity for gaining competitive advantage among rivals in the market. As such, it is prone to theft and, hence, requires active measures to avoid the loss of data or the illegal access of systems. The Zero-Trust Concept is an innovative approach that recognizes all stakeholders and foreigners as threats to data protection. Consequently, it advocates for the usage of technologies such as granular perimeters and data segmentation to avoid breaches. The military holds the Zero-Trust Concept in high regard as it offers top-notch security even as they handle large amounts of sensitive data. Ultimately, this new measure allows the military to comply with all privacy and security demands.

 

 

[1] Kindervag, J. (2016). No more chewy centers: the zero-trust model of information security. Forrester Research, Inc., dated Mar 23.

[2] Samaniego, M., & Deters, R. (2018, July). Zero-trust hierarchical management in IoT. In 2018 IEEE International Congress on Internet of Things (ICIOT) (pp. 88-95). IEEE

[3]. Pratt, M. K. (2018, January 16). What is Zero Trust? A model for more effective security. https://www.csoonline.com/article/3247848/what-is-zero-trust-a-model-for-more-effective-security.html.