What is a zero trust network?

A zero trust network is a cybersecurity concept that assumes that any device, user, or service inside or outside an organization's network cannot be trusted and must be verified before granting access. The zero trust model mitigates the risk of data breaches and other security threats by eliminating the trust assumptions inherent in traditional network security models.

Zero trust networks use a combination of technologies, such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, network segmentation, and continuous monitoring, to verify the identity and security posture of devices and users. The goal is to ensure that every access request is treated as coming from an untrusted source.

The strategy of a zero trust is based on several fundamental principles:

• Verify before you trust: The zero trust model assumes that all devices, users, and services are untrusted until proven otherwise. Access to resources is granted only after multi-factor authentication, and other security checks have been performed.
• Least privilege: In zero trust, users and devices are only given the minimum access necessary to perform their specific functions. It minimizes the attack surface and reduces the risk of data breaches, along with other security incidents.
• Network segmentation: It is divided into multiple secure zones, or micro-perimeters, which are isolated. This makes it harder for attackers to move laterally within the network and reduces the impact of a security breach.
• Continuous monitoring: These networks use continuous monitoring and threat detection tools to detect & respond to security incidents in real-time.