Zero Trust: Protecting Access to Users, Data, and Devices

 

Are you working from home? In the office? In a coffee shop? While modern technology allows us to work from anywhere, at any time, it also provides greater risk for malicious activities. Working remotely makes it easier for hackers to access enterprise networks – it’s no longer sufficient for organizations to only protect data within their network perimeter. Companies need a solution that authenticates and verifies every access request, whether it originates from inside or outside the corporate firewall. 

 

According to IBM’s 2022 Cost of Data Breach Report, 83% of organizations surveyed had more than one data breach. Of these incidents, 19% occurred due to stolen or compromised credentials. 16% occurred due to phishing (targeting individuals to provide sensitive data). Nearly half of all data breaches happen in the cloud.

 According to the report, Zero Trust reduces the cost of a data breach by about $1 million.

Zero Trust

 As most companies are utilizing a hybrid or remote workforce, ClearBridge experts have realized an increased need for organizations to strengthen their security posture with the Zero Trust approach. Zero Trust is a security strategy based on the fundamental principle of never trust, always verify. The Zero Trust framework assumes every single access request is a possible breach and requires authentication, verification, and encryption before granting access.

How Does Zero Trust Work?

The Zero Trust model gives users only the information they need at any given time, which makes it extremely difficult for hackers to acquire full access to vital business information. The model applies security measures that enforce least privileged access to secure data using end-to-end encryption and tools such as cloud-based identity providers (IdPs) and single sign-on solutions (SSO), to better validate users. In addition, multi-factor authentication requires dual methods of confirming user identity. Zero Trust also utilizes intelligence and analytics to automatically detect threats and respond in real time.

Advantages of Zero Trust

• Limits data access, even among trusted users
• Requires smart segmentation of data
• Allows remote workers seamless access
• Permits contractors to work effectively on the same systems as employees
• Provides greater flexibility, scalability, and integration within all networks
• Streamlines an organization’s security protection
• Enables secure cloud migration
• Minimizes financial costs of a security breach, and cyber insurance premiums

Implementing the Zero Trust Model

Plan your Zero Trust implementation with cybersecurity experts to ensure:

• Identification of key insights into your system design, workflows and operations
• Development of the Zero Trust strategy for your unique environment and users
• Protection of data and endpoints
• Secured infrastructure and network
• Deployment of detection and response solutions
• Adherence to federal mandates

ClearBridge can help organizations protect their users, applications, and data on any device, and in any location. ClearBridge can provide expertise with Zero Trust solutions to help businesses design and implement secure access to the open internet, cloud applications, private applications and data, and public cloud services.  Contact ClearBridge today to get started on your Zero Trust adoption!