The zero trust model is a security framework that assumes all users are not to be trusted. It verifies and authenticates all access, and thus is able to provide a more secure environment for businesses.
Zero trust is critical for all businesses, and it is especially beneficial to organizations implementing remote or hybrid work whose systems are more prone to unauthorized access than companies that do business on site.
If you still haven't implemented zero trust, these seven benefits can convince you to do so.
1. Gain greater visibility into your systems
One of the prime benefits of zero trust is that you can better see what's happening within your network, such as who is accessing which files, from where, and through which device. This allows you to easily identify if something's wrong, like if someone has access to data that should be off-limits to them, and enables you to act swiftly to mitigate the threat.
2. Simplify IT management
Zero trust security uses automation to constantly monitor and analyze access requests. For instance, a company’s privileged access management system can automatically grant access to low-risk requests and deny access to suspicious ones.
By leveraging automation, fewer human resources will be needed to maintain businesses' authentication processes. This not only simplifies IT management but can also free up staff and allow them to spend time developing ideas or carrying out more important duties instead of manually reviewing every access request.
3. Help your security team work smarter
A zero trust architecture gathers tools necessary to monitor and analyze system activity in one place, enabling you to generate reliable data from a single location. A centralized dashboard can also give your staff the insight necessary to reduce the number of false positives so they can focus on real threats.
4. Improve data protection
Used with just-in-time access, zero trust can help restrict rogue employees, hackers, and other security threats from gaining too much control over your network. When you control what users can access and how long they have access to it, malicious entities will only have limited, time-sensitive data sets to work with. This dramatically reduces their chances of successfully committing a breach.
5. Secure remote and hybrid workforce
Zero trust attaches identity verification to devices and applications rather than to perimeter defenses. This means, for instance, that zero trust doesn’t grant users access on account of whether or not they are signing in from the office. This makes it extremely helpful in securing businesses with remote or hybrid workforces that need to verify user identity no matter where a user is located.
6. Streamline user access
While zero trust is stringent on user verification, it can also increase efficiency by allowing employees secure access to the resources they need without having them go through a cumbersome authentication process each time. This is because zero trust typically relies on automation to restrict user access to only what is necessary without waiting on administrators for permission. Manual intervention would then only be required if a higher risk was flagged.
7. Make the compliance process easier
Zero trust architecture tracks the time, location, and related information of every request, thereby creating a seamless audit trail. This chain of evidence can make it easier for you to comply with audit requirements and, in turn, help prove to regulating bodies that your organization follows security guidelines.
Zero trust can bring your business a suite of benefits, allowing you to improve your overall security posture while also freeing up valuable time and resources. However, it can be challenging to implement, so you may need expert assistance in doing so.
Don’t fret — our business IT specialists at Cutting Edge are always ready to help. Consult with our team of IT professionals today to learn more about how we can secure your data.
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