The primary objective of the Zero Trust model is to minimize the possibility of remote work risks and insider threats, as well as to control third-party interference and cloud risk. The model is a significant shift from the castle-and-moat strategy, which focuses on strengthening the perimeter around the data to keep outsiders out while implicitly trusting insiders. The Zero Trust concept is simple and straightforward: Never trust; always verify. This implies that before any data can be accessed, each user must be validated. Every user request, whether within or outside the company, must be verified and approved in real-time.
Zero Trust secures remote workforces better than traditional approaches, and the benefits go beyond security to boost productivity and agility. In this article, we'll look at some of Zero Trust's most important security features.
Authentication and persistent monitoring
The framework of the Zero Trust model is based on verification before trustworthiness; therefore user identification as well as device identity and security, are all validated at multiple stages. Once established, logins and connections time out periodically, requiring users and devices to be re-verified on a regular basis.
On a “need-to-know” basis
Zero Trust entails granting users only the level of access they require, reducing each user's exposure to the network's vulnerable areas. This requires careful management of user permissions.
Device access and multi-factor authentication
The Zero Trust system keeps track of how many different devices are attempting to connect to their network, verifies that each one is allowed, and assesses each one to certify it hasn't been hacked; while using MFA to authenticate each user by means of 2-factor authorization. These factors reduce the network's attack surface even further.
Micro-segmentation
Micro-segmentation is the method adopted by Zero Trust of dividing security perimeters into small distinct zones so that different sections of the network can have independent access. Without additional authorization, a person or program with access to one of the zone will not be able to access any of the others; thus effectively preventing lateral movement from unknown attackers.
The advantages of using a Zero Trust architecture extend well beyond security. All of this, however, might be in vain if it is not successfully executed. This model is all about encryption and access control, both of which rely on cryptography. Cryptography, in turn, is based on keys. Cryptography's protection will be rendered useless if a key is compromised. As a result, keys must be kept secure at all times and maintained correctly for optimal security.
AxCrypt, like Zero Trust, protects your data against viruses, phishing, and hacking, and when used together, you can create maximum protection. AxCrypt is contemporary, scalable, and provides a cloud-friendly business key management system. It has a number of characteristics that make it a good key management solution.
Key sharing
Key sharing enables you to collaborate and connect with other members without jeopardizing the confidentiality of your data. Using AxCrypt's key sharing function you can give anyone data access and withdraw it whenever you want; you don't even have to disclose your own password. For more info on AxCrypt key sharing check our key sharing tutorial on YouTube
Master Key
Master Key is highly secure, it can be viewed as an automatic sharing of files with the administrators of the business. It allows business managers to recover files from other members of the company. This avoids the possibility of losing vital files. Read more about AxCrypt's master key feature here