Zero Trust Architecture in Action

Zero Trust is not just another cybersecurity buzzword, it’s a collection of concepts designed to minimize uncertainty by enforcing accurate least privilege per request access decisions in information systems and services. Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) ensures that every user and device is verified before accessing resources, even within the corporate network. It applies principles such as least privilege access and multi-factor authentication to reduce the attack surface, prevent compromise, and block data loss.

Let’s explore how these core principles function through a practical example:

Imagine I’m trying to access a sensitive database from my laptop during the workday. Even though I’m within the corporate network, the ZTA model treats me as a potential threat, verifying all my access requests as if they were coming from outside the network. This aligns with the first principle of ZTA: Assume Breach.

To access the database, I have to authenticate myself. This isn’t just a simple password—multi-factor authentication (MFA) is required. For example, I would enter my password and then use a code from my phone or a physical security key such as YubiKey.

Next, my device undergoes verification to ensure it complies with the company’s security policies such as updated software and antivirus protection. This is in line with the Verify, Don’t Trust principle of ZTA.

Once authenticated and my device is verified, the system checks if I have the appropriate permissions to access the database, which follows the Least Privilege Access principle. I only have the minimum access necessary for my role, limiting the potential impact of a breach. I can only access the systems and programs I need to do my work, I won't have privileged admin access in the systems I use nor access to programs that I do not pertain to my role.

While I access the database, the system continuously monitors my activity for any suspicious behavior. The network is also microsegmented, so if a breach occurs, its impact is contained to the specific segment, preventing lateral movement across the network.

This combination of principles ensures that access is tightly controlled, continuously monitored, and isolated to minimize the risk of a breach.

Zero Trust Architecture provides several important benefits. It protects customer data by removing the risk and costs of data loss, helping maintain trust and prevent customer loss. By centralizing security functions, Zero Trust simplifies the security system, reducing unnecessary tools like extra firewalls and gateways. It also cuts down on the need for a large security team to manage, monitor, and update security measures.

Without Zero Trust, companies face the risk of expensive data breaches, like the 2014 eBay hack, where attackers used stolen employee credentials. If eBay had used Zero Trust with multi-factor authentication, the breach could have been avoided, protecting both data and customer trust.