Zero Trust & Identity and Access Management

We are seeing an increased need for a security mindset thinking and Zero trust among our customers and in the outside world. There are several reasons for this.

• One of the main reasons is that cybercrime and vulnerabilities in networks and systems have increased along with the increased use of technology and the internet. With more and more connected devices and cloud-based services, it has become easier for cybercriminals to gain access to corporate networks and steal sensitive information.

• Another reason is that companies have become more dependent on remote work and the use of mobile devices, which has made it harder to keep track of who has access to what. This has increased the risk of vulnerabilities and data transfers through unprotected connections.

Security thinking and Zero trust are strategies that aim to minimize vulnerabilities and increase security by implementing various measures and techniques, such as strong password policies, authentication, and access control. By implementing these strategies, companies can reduce the risk of cyber attacks and protect their business and employee data.

What is Zero Trust?

There are many different definitions of Zero Trust, and there is no exact definition that applies to everyone. Common to all definitions though is that Zero Trust is a strategy that aims to increase security by verifying and authenticating all connections and activities, regardless of where they come from. If you haven’t thought about this in your organization, how do you get started? 5 steps to get started with a Zero Trust strategy:

1. Define your business goals and identify important data and resources: First and foremost, it is important to have a clear picture of what you want to achieve with your Zero Trust strategy and which data and resources are most critical to your business. This will help you prioritize actions and resources to protect them in the best possible way.
2. Identify vulnerabilities and risks: Go through your network and system to identify any vulnerabilities and risks. This may include vulnerabilities in system configurations, poor password management, and vulnerabilities in cloud-based services.
3. Implement multifactor authentication: Multifactor authentication means that multiple security factors are required to verify a user’s identity. This can include passwords, security keys, and biometric verifications.
4. Implement access control: To ensure that only authenticated users have access to resources and systems, it is important to implement access control measures. This can include access controls based on roles and permissions, as well as controls that limit access to specific resources.
5. Monitor and review: Finally, it is important to continuously monitor and review your Zero Trust strategy to ensure that it is effective and up-to-date. This may include regularly reviewing access controls, monitoring network activity, and conducting security assessments.

Identity and Access Management

Identity and access management is about managing and verifying user identities and granting access to resources and systems based on these identities. By using multifactor authentication and access control, it can be ensured that only authorized users have access to important data and resources. Therefore, there is a strong link between Zero Trust and identity management as both aim to ensure secure access to resources and systems by verifying and authenticating user identities and limiting access based on these identities. By using both Zero Trust, where identity management is a cornerstone, organizations can increase security and reduce the risk of unauthorized access to important data and resources.

Microsoft’s Zero Trust Model – Modern Security Architecture | Microsoft Security divides Zero trust into 6 different defense areas. Identities, Endpoints, Apps, Data, Infrastructure, and Network.

Keep your identities secure

Here are some examples of identity management that can help make data more secure:

1. Multifactor authentication: Multifactor authentication means that multiple security factors are required to verify a user’s identity. This may mean that the user needs to enter a password and use a security key or verify their identity using biometric data such as fingerprints or facial recognition.
2. Access control: Access control means limiting access to resources and systems to unauthorized users, based on users’ roles and permissions. This may mean that users only have access to the resources and functions they need to perform their job tasks, and that access is restricted for other users.
3. Password policy: A password policy is important for protecting against unauthorized access and use of systems and resources.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help with security and Zero Trust -> Contact us