3 Steps to Zero Trust Cybersecurity for Small Businesses
The prevalence and complexity of cyberattacks have escalated significantly in recent times. As a result, even a minor oversight in your network security can set off a sequence of events that may have disastrous consequences for your enterprise. To prevent such occurrences, it is advisable to adopt a robust cybersecurity framework like the zero-trust approach.
The zero-trust concept maintains that users and applications cannot be trusted by default. Instead, it urges companies to authenticate every access while considering every user and application a possible risk. Zero trust is an excellent foundation for companies looking to establish strong cybersecurity measures. It can handle the intricacies of today’s work environment, including hybrid workplaces, and safeguard individuals, devices, applications, and data regardless of location.
It’s essential to note that despite how security vendors may promote it, zero trust isn’t a one-stop solution or platform. It cannot be acquired from a vendor and activated with a click of a button. Instead, zero trust is a strategic approach – a framework that requires a systematic implementation process.
Implementing zero trust: Three core principles to remember
If you are planning to adopt a zero-trust framework to enhance your IT security, it’s crucial to bear in mind three fundamental principles:
1. Assume breach and minimize the impact
Rather than waiting for a security breach to occur, adopting a proactive approach to cybersecurity by assuming risk is advisable. This entails treating applications, services, identities, and networks (both internal and external) as potentially compromised. Doing so can enhance your response time to a breach, minimize the damage, boost your overall security, and, most importantly, safeguard your business.
2. Limit access
The misuse of privileged access is a leading cause of cyberattacks. To mitigate this risk, it’s crucial to restrict access to the minimum necessary level without disrupting day-to-day operations. Here are some specific security measures that organizations adopt to limit access:
• Just-in-time access (JIT): This approach restricts access to users, devices, or applications for a predetermined period. This limits the time individuals have access to critical systems.
• Principle of least privilege (PoLP): This approach grants users, devices, or applications minimum access or permissions required to perform their job functions.
• Segmented application access (SAA): This approach restricts users to permitted applications, preventing unauthorized users from accessing the network.
3. Continually verify
It is advisable to adopt a “never trust, always verify” strategy for security and constantly verify the identity and access rights of users, devices, and applications. To achieve this, deploying robust identity and access management (IAM) controls that define roles and access rights may be beneficial, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access relevant information.
Need help? We’re here for you.
Implementing zero trust compliance on your own can be a challenging undertaking. Fortunately, partnering with an IT service provider like us can alleviate the burden. By leveraging our advanced technologies and expertise, you can establish a zero-trust framework within your business without recruiting additional talent or procuring additional tools.
