Why do most people react only when something bad happens to them? Is it the lack of knowledge and awareness about security? In computing, the traditional approach to security us reactive. A response to a threat happens only after the breach. This is no longer advisable. The best security approach today is to be proactive. This is possible through the Forrester zero trust network architecture.
A proactive approach searches for threats before they do any harm. Another proactive method is to scan for vulnerabilities on your network. Detecting, preventing, and responding to threats are proactive methods. These are all visible on a Forrester zero trust network architecture.
The basic logic behind a zero trust security framework is “ never trust and always verify.” Any user or device trying to gain network access must undergo identity verification. There are no exceptions even if the user or device is from within the network itself. All should pass authentication before gaining network access. This shows how strong a Forrester zero trust network architecture is.
What about authorized users and devices? Upon successful authentication, all users and devices will have restrictions on their privileges. This is a security measure to prevent the abuse of access rights. A user only gains the necessary privileges to do their work or task. Gaining access to something outside their privileges requires a higher form of authorization. A Forrester zero trust network architecture enforces strict security.
Migrating to a Forrester zero trust network architecture is the best thing to do. Not only will you prevent data breaches, but you will also gain more trust from your customers. This leads to a strong and long-lasting client-business relationship. This, in effect, will produce more profits for your company.
The Best Practices
You learned the basics of what a Forrester zero trust network architecture is. Now you will know the steps in achieving a zero trust security framework.
Follow these best practices in building a Forrester zero trust network architecture:
1. Enforce Multi-factor Authentication (MFA).
The traditional way of identity verification is through the login process. A user enters their username and password to prove their identity. This is only a single form of authentication, however.
MFA is one of the key security measures in a Forrester zero trust network architecture. It adds another layer of security to the verification process. In computing, redundant security measures are highly advisable. If one security layer fails, another one is there as a backup.
A good example of MFA is the two-factor authentication on Facebook. Aside from the usual login process, you need to enter an extra security code. You can opt to receive this code either through SMS or email. Most people prefer receiving the codes through SMS on their mobile devices.
Someone knowing your login credentials needs to get those codes to hack your account. They will have to intercept the SMS or email containing the codes. This is how strong a Forrester zero trust network architecture is.
Another example of MFA is biometric authentication. We all know that our physical features are hard to replicate because they are unique to us. Smartphones today support biometric signatures, the most popular one being fingerprint recognition. The attacker has to get your fingerprint before they can hack your account. This is a “mission impossible” scenario for them.
2. Validating Devices and Complying with Standards Is Necessary.
Not only must users undergo authentication, but devices should as well. This is essential in building a strong Forrester zero trust network architecture. One good method to verify devices is through whitelisting. Any device trying to access the network will not gain entry if it is not part of a list. The whitelist contains all the pre-registered devices that have network access. This way, even if an attacker knows someone’s login credentials, they still need to be part of this list. They can’t access the network’s resources if they aren’t part of the whitelist. Some people also call this MAC (Media Access Control) filtering.
In computing, complying with security standards is necessary. This reduces the chances of a threat from happening. Your device should be up to date and use antimalware and encryption. Having a Forrester zero trust network architecture ensures compliance with security standards.
3. Least-Privilege Access.
A user or device that passes the authentication process gains network access. But they will get a few limitations on their network privileges. An employee would only get the necessary access rights to do their job well. This is a strong way to achieve a Forrester zero trust network architecture.
Giving them unrestricted privileges is a security risk. This will enable them to browse any website that might cause harm to the network. A website that can do harm to your PC or network, for example, is a porn site. These adult websites contain malicious ads and links. When a user clicks on those things, it will trigger a malware infection process. This will open a security hole on your network. This is where the attackers will come in to steal your data.
Browsing non-work-related websites also lessens employees’ productivity. Enforcing a Forrester zero trust network architecture prevents this scenario. These access restrictions apply to all devices, including endpoints, which itself includes smartphones, laptops, and tablets owned by employees.
4. Microsegmentation
Microsegmentation is the process of breaking up security perimeters into smaller zones. You can also think of this as dividing a network into segments. In either case, each zone or segment has its own set of security controls in place. This makes it harder for an attacker to hack their way into your network.
Accessing other segments of the network requires permission first. This leads to another identity verification, device validation, and access restriction. Now you see how strong a Forrester zero trust network architecture is.
Conclusion
Now you know what a Forrester zero trust network architecture is, the best practices to achieve it, and the importance of having a strong zero trust security framework. For more information, please click here.