In a World Where Security and Network Have Converged, ZTNA Is Key
The transition to hybrid work that’s occurred over the past two years has brought the potential for a multitude of new holes where threat actors can plant their roots. This has underscored the need for increased security measures that can span all aspects of a network and quickly identify tension points.
Secure access is more important than ever as the number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices grows, the network perimeter fragments and the new norm of working from anywhere persists. Security solutions that can cover all locations are required as work and resource systems evolve — and zero trust is paramount. Channel partners have an opportunity to help their clients achieve this crucial capability.
To protect all their systems, networks, applications and data, companies must adopt a zero-trust approach with thorough authentication capabilities, network access control measures and application access controls for both on-premises and cloud-based assets.
Users and devices using zero-trust network access (ZTNA) are unable to access an application unless they supply the required authentication credentials. ZTNA hides apps behind a proxy point, allowing for a safe, encrypted connection. Traditional VPN technologies for application access are replaced by ZTNA, which removes the excessive trust that older VPNs require for employees or partners to connect and cooperate.
In addition to ZTNA models, organizations must implement multilayered security measures to catch and block threats and malware, in addition to training employees on best security practices. The rate of exploit is increasing, and attacks are occurring at a faster pace; there is just too much data for staff in a security operations center to sort through. That’s why it’s critical to use AI and machine learning to detect and prevent unforeseen dangers.
ZTNA Models Help Secure Exponentially Expanding Networks
Hybrid working strategies have vastly expanded the plane that malware can exploit. It involves more than an increase in devices used to access an organization’s network. Because home (or, say, a coffee shop) networks are frequently insecure, corporate networks face greater risks. Connected resources are exposed to potentially dangerous content because the same devices that remotely access the business network are also used to access the internet without the protections of the corporate firewall.
Zero-trust network access achieves flexible connectivity of a hybrid workforce by removing the assumption that if a user is within network, they can be trusted to access all applications — that’s implicit trust.
ZTNA solutions adhere to several principles to make this possible:
- Never take someone’s word for it: Until a person, device or application session has been properly validated, it is untrustworthy.
- Users must be identified, and devices must be validated: The identity of each user, the context of the access request and the posture of each device are all evaluated before any access is granted.
- Practice least-privilege access: Users only get the access they need to perform their job role; there is no broad network access such as with a traditional VPN.
- Ongoing posture re-evaluation: The user’s and device’s postures are constantly assessed; if they change, so does access.
- Treating the inside like the outside: ZTNA runs in the same way regardless of where the user connects from.
When networks are configured as an open, flat environment with no security assessment beyond the perimeter, hackers who penetrate the network perimeter can …
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