• The purpose of zero trust and what differentiates it from other security models
• An overview of how zero trust works in a network environment
• How zero trust incorporates least privilege access through role-based access control (RBAC) and/or attribute-based access control (ABAC)

The Purpose of Zero Trust

The purpose of zero trust is to protect an organization’s data and systems from unauthorized access, even if an attacker has already breached the network perimeter. Zero trust assumes that no user or device can be trusted by default, and that all access to resources must be verified and authenticated.

Zero trust is different from traditional security models, which typically rely on a perimeter-based security approach. In a perimeter-based security model, the network is divided into two zones: the inside and the outside. The inside zone is considered to be trusted, and the outside zone is considered to be untrusted. All traffic between the two zones is filtered and inspected, and users and devices must be authenticated before they are allowed to access resources inside the network.

The problem with perimeter-based security models is that they are easily bypassed by attackers who can gain access to the network through a variety of means, such as phishing attacks, malware, or social engineering. Once an attacker has gained access to the network, they can move laterally and access sensitive data and systems without being detected.

How Zero Trust Works

Zero trust works by implementing a number of security controls that are designed to verify and authenticate all access to resources. These controls include:

• Micro-segmentation: Micro-segmentation divides the network into a large number of small segments, each of which is isolated from the others. This makes it more difficult for attackers to move laterally once they have gained access to the network.
• Identity and access management (IAM): IAM is used to verify the identity of users and devices before they are allowed to access resources. IAM can use a variety of factors to verify identity, such as passwords, multi-factor authentication, and biometrics.
• Least privilege access: Least privilege access means that users are only granted the access they need to perform their job duties. This helps to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data and systems.
• Continuous monitoring: Zero trust relies on continuous monitoring to detect and respond to threats. This monitoring can be done using a variety of tools, such as intrusion detection systems (IDSs) and intrusion prevention systems (IPSs).

How Zero Trust Incorporates Least Privilege Access

Least privilege access is a key component of zero trust. By only granting users the access they need to perform their job duties, organizations can reduce the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data and systems.

There are two main ways to implement least privilege access: role-based access control (RBAC) and attribute-based access control (ABAC).

• RBAC is a simple and easy-to-implement method of least privilege access. RBAC assigns users roles, and each role is associated with a set of permissions. Users are only granted the permissions that are associated with their role.
• ABAC is a more sophisticated method of least privilege access. ABAC allows permissions to be granted based on a variety of factors, such as the user’s identity, the device they are using, and the data they are trying to access.

Conclusion

Zero trust is a security model that is designed to protect organizations from unauthorized access, even if an attacker has already breached the network perimeter. Zero trust relies on a number of security controls, such as micro-segmentation, IAM, least privilege access, and continuous monitoring. By implementing these controls, organizations can reduce the risk of data breaches and other security incidents.