Transitioning to Zero Trust Data Protection
The Benefits, Drawbacks, and Challenges of Zero Trust Policies
Jim Broome
President/Chief Technology Officer
Oct. 24, 2024
Zero trust data protection is gaining popularity among organizations as a powerful security model designed to strengthen defenses against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. More companies are transitioning to zero trust policies in an effort to lock down network access to only those who can prove – you guessed it – that they can be trusted.
What Does Zero Trust Data Protection Look Like?
Unlike traditional perimeter-based security models, zero trust operates on the principle that absolutely no user, device, or application, internal or external, should be trusted by default. Access to the network for any reason must be continuously verified, whether the attempt is being made by the company president, a new project management tool, or a contract worker.
There are 4 main tenants of a zero trust policy that separate it from traditional security models:
1. Nothing Gets a Free Pass. There is no automatic trust of any entity within the network perimeter. Every access attempt must be scrutinized and verified.
2. Verification Isn’t Set in Stone. Even if a user is verified for network access, that verification runs out and they must re-authenticate upon the next access attempt.
3. Security is Highly Contextual. Instead of broad parameters like “recognized / not recognized” or “internal user / external user”, zero trust data protection makes access decisions based on much deeper context, including factors like user identity, location device health, and current threat intelligence.
4. Access Begins With Least Privilege. Broad, unfettered network access by anyone at a company isn’t recommended no matter what your security policies are. Zero trust policies grant only the least amount of privilege necessary for validated users to perform their tasks, which limits the potential for a breach and prevents intentional or unintentional data compromise by a user. Escalation of privilege is only granted if absolutely necessary and only following validation.
On its face, zero trust data protection sounds like an important way to protect your environment against cyber attacks. Constant validation of access allows companies to remain in control at all times and immediately see any suspicious activity.
However, like most policies, this one doesn’t come without some drawbacks and challenges. It’s important to be aware of how implementation will impact your organization before moving forward so you can make an informed decision about whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
“We really value the annual breach assessment DirectDefense provides and reviews with us – they identify controls and plans for getting security protocols in place.”
– VP and CIO
Marine Recreation & Technology Company
Potential Drawbacks of Zero Trust Data Protection Policies
It’s difficult to implement. Zero trust policies are complex – that’s just a fact. Achieving end-to-end cybersecurity isn’t an easy feat in general, but implementing a zero trust policy does add complexities that can make the process difficult, especially if your company is working with legacy infrastructures that make integrations challenging or even impossible without significant upgrades. Any sweeping change to your IT architecture requires new tools, network segmentation reconfiguration, role-based access control rules, and other components that take time, budget, and personnel to accomplish.
It needs attention. All that verifying and re-authenticating of access requires constant monitoring and action, which can place enormous operational burdens on IT and security teams that are likely already strapped. Zero trust policies require several technologies to function, such as identity and access management (IAM) systems and encryption tools, which all place a greater strain on existing resources.
Employees may not love it. If you think about the immediate sense of frustration that bubbles up when an app on your phone unexpectedly demands that you log in again or provide secondary authentication, it’s easy to understand how employees would feel similarly frustrated by constant verification requests each time they need to access the network to perform tasks. Zero trust’s added layers of security include multi-factor authentication for every login, constant verification of access privileges, as well as flat out access restrictions, which all can hinder productivity and leave employees feeling flustered, especially given the more streamlined and immediate access we’re all used to. This type of fallout can, in some cases, lead to compliance issues or even employee attempts to bypass security measures to save time.
It costs money. Everything comes with a price, but implementing a zero trust policy certainly does. Estimates for implementation hover around $650,000, and these costs come from four main sources:
- Purchasing and implementing new tools and technologies, such as next-generation firewalls, advanced monitoring systems, endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions, multifactor authentication (MFA), IAM systems, and network segmentation solutions.
- Having to upgrade entire security systems to accommodate those new tools and technologies, as well as training employees on their usage and management.
- Experiencing potential loss of productivity or a need to hire additional staff to assist with policy implementation and ongoing management.
- Ongoing maintenance, including regular updates, patches, and of course the continued monitoring of user behavior.
It may report false positives. There is a potential for false positives to crop up here and there, which can be highly disruptive to productivity, including locking users or devices out of their accounts or other important systems, consequently delaying business processes. Zero trust systems are well designed for scrutinizing every access request, but nothing is perfect, and it’s possible that a legitimate user or device could be incorrectly flagged as a threat.
It’s not an end-all-be-all for security. While Zero Trust is an effective model for improving security, it’s not a complete solution. Cyberattacks can take many forms, and Zero Trust primarily focuses on access control and network segmentation. Your company will still need to deploy other cybersecurity measures, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, as well as provide employee security education and training, to build a strong defense.
Combat Cyber-Anxiety With More Powerful Security
How to Make Zero Trust Adoption Less Overwhelming
Now that you’re aware of the potential drawbacks, it’s up to you to decide how they measure up against the benefits. Many security professionals see zero trust policies as a necessary step to secure modern organizations from the threats they’re faced with.
There are strategies your organization can follow to help minimize the challenges of implementing a zero trust protection policy:
- Phased Implementation: You don’t have to go all-in right away. Incremental implementation works well for organizations, typically applying zero trust policies to high-value systems at the beginning and expanding over time. This phased approach allows companies to spread out costs and make the transition more manageable.
- Employee Training and Engagement: To address resistance, employee education around the importance of zero trust and why your organization is implementing the policy will help increase buy-in. Be clear that it is an important way to protect their personal information and the organization as a whole.
- Simplify Authentication: Using single sign-on (SSO) and biometrics are excellent options to simplify the authentication process and reduce the frustration employees may feel as a result of constant access verification.
- Modernizing Legacy Systems: Legacy infrastructures often need a complete upgrade to allow for new technology integrations, so it’s best to know what you’re working with before investing in a zero trust policy. Start by conducting a thorough audit of all systems and determine which can be upgraded or replaced and which can stay. In some cases, wrapping legacy systems with modern security layers, like virtualized network segmentation or API gateways, can provide temporary solutions while long-term upgrades are planned.
- Partnering with an MSSP: An MSSP is a great option for guiding zero trust implementation and ensuring proper integration into your organization. We help our clients with system updates and optimizations, and ensure it’s functioning exactly as needed for our their specific needs.
Stay Updated with Cybersecurity Insights
Is a Zero Trust Data Protection Policy Right for You?
As with anything, there are benefits and challenges associated with a zero trust policy, but the bigger question is whether your organization is ready to increase its commitment to cybersecurity. Working with an MSSP allows you to gradually adopt stronger security practices tailored to your needs, so you eventually have an ironclad security posture and incident response and recovery plan.
Talk to us about a managed security solution to strengthen your security posture – whether you’re ready for a zero trust policy or want to explore how to beef up your security program in other ways. An MSSP can provide important intel so you understand what you need most and the best way to achieve it.