Leverage Automation to Empower Zero Trust

Summary

The zero-trust network access (ZTNA) model has been a game-changer for several organizations. It can become even better with the power of artificial intelligence. Learn more about zero-trust (ZT) security and how automation can enhance it.
 

What is zero-trust network access?

Zero-trust network access utilizes a no-trust policy. It is the model behind zero trust security. The primary idea is it assumes there are threats within and outside the system perimeter. 
 
This means that before a device can connect to a network—whether inside or outside the perimeter—it requires strict authentication. This is the opposite of traditional security, which trusts any device within a network. Traditional network security makes gaining access to a network difficult, but once a user does, it is trusted automatically. In today’s technology-driven world, this approach does not work well.
 
Organizations no longer store data in one place. They now rely on several systems or cloud vendors. Many companies adopted remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to an increase in cybercrime. The FBI’s cyber division received 3,000-4,000 security complaints daily. Unfortunately, this creates additional security risks.
 
Due to these changes, systems that trust no one make more sense regardless of whether they are in the network perimeter. Zero-trust security constantly monitors and verifies requests to ensure they are authoritative users. It also times out logins, so users who want to continue must be verified again.
 
Another element making ZTNA more efficient at protecting against threats is that it divides the network into smaller parts — micro-segmentation. A user with access to one of these parts will not have permission to go to another. This helps keep the system more secure.
 
ZT security that detects a malicious actor—due to it utilizing micro-segmentation—can contain the danger without the threat compromising other parts of the network. Additionally, ZTNA heavily relies on multifactor authentication (MFA), an extra security layer requiring more than a password to authenticate a user.

The role automation can play in implementing zero-trust architecture

While zero-trust security positions itself as a vital component against modern cyberthreats, it is not without its challenges. ZT is not a one-stop system or tool. Instead, it is a series of policies, people and technology working together to prevent threats.
 
Zero-trust architecture takes a lot of work to implement and can create difficulties—especially for organizations with legacy systems. While it is certainly worth the effort, a more innovative approach is needed.
 
ZT requires companies to constantly verify, authenticate and reverify users. Reverification can sometimes be challenging to enforce. These procedures take time, but automation can help. It can speed up these processes and lead to faster access for authoritative users. This enhances the zero-trust architecture. Threat actors who gain access to a network can cause massive damage within an incredibly short time frame.
 
A company that detects a breach must take immediate action. However, some manual policies, such as reporting the attack, can slow this process down. Automation can help reduce or minimize these delays and aid teams in responding quickly to the threat.
 
Automation can speed up many manual processes and help cyber teams take quicker action against immediate threats. It makes an already strong security model even more effective.

Benefits of utilizing automation for zero trust

Adding automation to zero-trust architecture can provide several advantages. Here is a quick summary of the benefits:

1. Saves time: Incorporating automation into zero-trust architecture can speed up many manual processes. For example, automation and AI can make it a quicker procedure to verify and authenticate users.

2. Reduces human error and increases consistency: Errors often occur with manual assessment. It is human nature to make mistakes, and heavy workloads can increase their occurrence. Automation can reduce this and improve overall consistency.

3. Improves user experience: The user experience is improved when automation speeds up manual processes, such as authentication. This is because the wait time that authoritative users need to wait to gain access to the network is reduced.

4. Reduced delays lead to faster response times: Automation and AI can help cyber teams respond quickly to threats. Often, manual policies such as reporting breaches can create delays. Employees can respond to threats promptly when these procedures are handled faster and automatically.
 

Automation improves the efficiency and effectiveness of zero-trust architecture

Zero-trust security is already a secure method, and automation further enhances it. With all the benefits it can provide to organizations, automation positions itself as a necessity in ZT security.
 
Implementing this security is a challenging feat but is well worth the effort. Companies taking a holistic approach and embracing automation alongside other artificial intelligence systems can confidently navigate threats in the cybersecurity landscape.