In an era defined by unprecedented digital connectivity, the traditional castle-and-moat approach to cyber-security has become obsolete.  

The rise of sophisticated cyber-threats, coupled with the increasing complexity of IT environments, demands a paradigm shift in how organisations approach security. In comes Zero Trust, a concept that challenges the notion of implicit trust within networks and redefines the cyber-security landscape. 

Cyber-security in the past has typically been centred around perimeter-based defences, where organisations relied on firewalls and other boundary controls to safeguard their networks. However, the rapid expansion of cloud computing, mobile devices, and remote work has rendered the traditional perimeter ineffective. Cyber-criminals have capitalised on this shift, exploiting vulnerabilities within networks and bypassing traditional security measures with alarming ease.

Key Principles of Zero Trust

Identity-Centric Security: Zero Trust emphasises the importance of verifying the identity of users and devices before granting access to resources. This involves robust authentication mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and biometric verification, to ensure that only authorised entities can have access. 

Least Privilege Access: In a Zero Trust model, access rights are granted on a need-to-know basis, limiting users’ privileges to only the resources essential for their roles. By reducing the attack surface, organisations can minimise the impact of potential breaches and contain lateral movement within the network. 

Continuous Monitoring and Analysis: Central to the Zero Trust philosophy is the concept of continuous monitoring and real-time analysis of network traffic, user behaviour, and device activity. By leveraging advanced analytics, zero trust helps organisations detect anomalies and potential security threats proactively. 

Zero Trust aligns closely with regulatory requirements and industry standards, helping organizations achieve compliance with data protection regulations.

Using Zero Trust in a remote work model

Cisco’s Approach to Zero Trust

Typically, a zero trust model presents the issue of increased security, but compromising the user experience and a decrease in productivity. However, the Cisco Zero Trust model helps to maintain both security and productivity without compromising any components. 

Cisco Zero Trust has three key rules:  

1. Never assume trust.
2. Always verify.
3. Enforce least privilege.

Whether it be a user trying to gain access to a cloud app from a device or accessing a private application from their VPN, the Zero Trust approach can help minimise risk for all users involved with strong security and high productivity.

How Outcomex and Cisco can help