Zero trust frameworks challenge traditional perimeter-based security models by adopting a “never trust, always verify” approach. Unlike legacy security systems, zero trust requires continuous identity verification, strict least-privilege access controls, and persistent monitoring to mitigate threats. Successful zero trust implementation involves a strategic approach that encompasses strong identity and access management (IAM), network security controls, endpoint protection, decryption for traffic visibility, and automated incident response. By enforcing robust security policies using micro-segmentation and leveraging technologies such as multifactor authentication (MFA), secure access service edge (SASE), and extended detection and response (XDR), organizations can enhance their cybersecurity and protect sensitive data from evolving threats.
The five pillars of zero trust
With the arrival of the Internet of Things (IoT), the realities of business needs across global networks, and multi-device remote access norms, legacy perimeter-based security is no longer adequate. Zero trust frameworks rely on a foundation of five pillars: 1) a reduced attack surface area, 2) policy enforcement at the point of request to mitigate risks to data integrity, 3) the application of advanced controls, 4) restricting the access of applications, and 5) ongoing monitoring. In its basic form, zero trust is a logical control that separates asset and control. The asset layer can only be accessed through a control plane via the policy engine, and each request for access to an asset or portion of the network is a policy enforcement point.
Pillar one: Identify attack surface area
An organization’s digital presence has changed drastically with the pervasive shift toward edge computing in enterprise networks, where most computing is geographically dispersed. By minimizing the points of network access, resources can be better allocated to defense, and incident response times improved. The identification of access points is a critical concept for reducing the attack surface and focuses on user, device, and application identification. NIST 800-215 SP details the limitations of perimeter-based approaches and offers guidance for the implementation and monitoring of network configurations for contemporary networks.
Pillar two: Enforce least privilege
Least privilege is the premise that only the minimum required access for that role and task is given and no more. The concept of least privilege derives from the separation of duties. Zero trust employs this as the “never trust, always verify” ethos. It’s critical to verify each request for access to assets according to a least-privilege principle for the user and task or process through identity and access management (IAM) solutions. If business requirements are clearly defined and roles are assigned through the separation of duties, then least privilege follows and becomes the basis for policy enforcement and verification of IAM.
Pillar three: Apply advanced security controls
The policy engine of zero trust models is an adaptable suite of security tools that can be deployed at the enforcement point and includes identity management, monitoring, analytics, and reporting tools. This flexible engine drives the adaptability of zero trust. It allows integration with diverse security solutions from multiple vendors to customize and optimize enterprise and context-specific security needs. Industry roadmaps such as the Zero Trust Maturity Model leverage zero trust to integrate various security solutions and resources to maintain an edge in security.
Pillar four: Restrict access o f application
Micro-segmentation enables zero trust principles to be employed on a more granular level and provides a finer security screen for endpoint security, user access, and application monitoring. Restricting application access to business uses is a priority of zero trust that works to minimize the surface area and contributes to role definition. There is no need to expose the network to all access requests if users are from one region or specific tasks only occur during certain operating hours. Restricting the application decreases network exposure and optimizes the organization’s digital presence, reducing incident response times and security complexity.
Pillar five: Monitoring and automation
Zero trust security solutions thrive on ongoing monitoring across zero trust controls, network segmentation, and business processes through data governance to conduct enforcement, verification, and data collection for analysis. These data assets realize internal value through advanced analytics and automation in security and operations. This increased security demands additional resources, and the performance impact of security solutions is best balanced with business needs and available resources. The growing pains of the transition to zero trust frameworks are worth the gains. It is a strategy that provides long-term secure habits on premises and in the cloud, promising adaptability to evolving threat landscapes.
Who is responsible for security?
Due to the increasing interconnection of operational changes affecting the financial and social health of digital enterprises, security is assuming a more prominent role in business discussions. Executive leadership is pivotal in ensuring enterprise security. It’s vital for business operations and security to be aligned and coordinated to maintain security. Data governance is integral in coordinating cross-functional activity to achieve this requirement. Executive leadership buy-in coordinates and supports security initiatives, and executive sponsorship sets the tone and provides the resources necessary for program success.
As a result, security professionals are increasingly represented in board seats and C-suite positions. In public acknowledgment of this responsibility, executive leadership is increasingly held accountable for security breaches, with some being found personally liable for negligence. Today, enterprise security is the responsibility of multiple teams. IT infrastructure, IT enterprise, information security, product teams, and cloud teams work together in functional unity but require a sponsor for the security program.
Zero trust security complements operations due to its strict role definition, process mapping, and monitoring practices, making compliance more manageable and automatable. Whatever the region, the trend is toward increased reporting and compliance. As a result, data governance and security are closely intertwined. For example, compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires strict monitoring. The data governance and security monitoring practices can overlap in this task and serve a dual function. Ensuring sensitive and confidential data through verified requests, ongoing monitoring, and iterative development enables advanced zero trust data governance.
AI in enterprise security solutions
Many companies utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to address their security needs, but AI also presents challenges. AI provides access to significant amounts of data when security practitioners enable large language model (LLM)-based AI. This approach represents a loss of the least privilege pillar buried under the broad access agreements required by the design of LLMs. If the LLM becomes compromised, the entire system is compromised. AI and machine learning can improve workflows, development and remediation times, and provide invaluable analytics insights for incident response and prediction. As threat landscapes evolve, remediation efforts are becoming increasingly essential, particularly in the context of automated cloud service remediation. Remediation advancements are central to zero trust frameworks as security and DevOps work closely to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated cybercriminals.
Implementation and challenges
The cultural shift to zero trust is an iterative and continual journey. The question of where to start can be daunting, especially for small companies and when the need for security solutions is pressing. Cataloging users, endpoints, applications, and infrastructures is the initial step in defining which business processes, tasks, and roles to utilize in building the pillars for zero trust frameworks. No organization has a 100 percent complete inventory of its digital presence. The inventory process is an ongoing task that involves data management and governance efforts. Zero trust works iteratively and synergistically to achieve greater efficacy in governance and security.
Securing digital assets takes precedence for operations and decision-making. As the security profession matures and enterprise technology advances, the adaptable frameworks of zero trust architecture are the mainstay of contemporary security practices. Security is prominent in C-suite decision-making and a standard feature of budgetary discussions. Securing the organization’s digital presence is a priority that requires resilience and reliability. Zero trust frameworks provide a foundation that can withstand the sophistication of contemporary cybercriminals and leverage emerging technologies. The journey of zero trust is an ongoing practice for securing resilience in modern enterprises.
About the Author
Surendra Narang is a cybersecurity leader with 20 years of experience, currently Senior Manager at Palo Alto Networks. He is responsible for business transformation, information security strategy, and executive-level reporting. He holds a bachelor’s degree in applied computing from Boston College and a master’s in applied computing from the Institute of Advanced Technology and Science. Connect with Surendra on LinkedIn.
