How Zero Trust Improves Security In The Cloud

What is Zero Trust?

Zero Trust is a security model that assumes no user or device can be trusted, even if they are inside the network perimeter. The traditional security models assume that everything inside the perimeter is trusted and everything outside is not. But in the Zero Trust model, trust is not based on location or network boundaries. Instead, it’s based on identity, context, and behavior.

How Does Zero Trust Improve Security in the Cloud?

1. Granular Access Control

Zero Trust provides granular access control to resources in the cloud. It means that users and devices are given access to only the resources they need to perform their tasks. For example, an employee in the marketing department may only be given access to marketing-related resources in the cloud. This approach minimizes the attack surface and reduces the risk of data breaches.

2. Continuous Authentication

In the traditional security models, users are authenticated only once when they log in to the network. But in the Zero Trust model, users are continuously authenticated based on their behavior. The system analyzes user behavior in real-time to identify any anomalies or suspicious activities. If there’s any suspicious activity, the user is prompted to reauthenticate or their access is revoked. This approach ensures that only authorized users have access to resources in the cloud.

3. Micro-Segmentation

In the Zero Trust model, the network is segmented into small zones to contain potential breaches. It means that each application or workload is placed in a separate micro-segment. Each micro-segment has its own security policies and controls. This approach minimizes lateral movement within the network and prevents attackers from moving from one micro-segment to another.

4. Visibility and Monitoring

In the cloud, it’s easy to lose visibility into what’s happening in the network. But in the Zero Trust model, visibility and monitoring are crucial. The system monitors all activities in real-time to identify any anomalies or suspicious activities. It means that any potential threats are detected and resolved quickly.

Conclusion

In the cloud era, traditional security models are no longer effective. That’s why the Zero Trust model has gained popularity in recent years. Zero Trust improves security in the cloud by providing granular access control, continuous authentication, micro-segmentation, and visibility and monitoring. If you’re moving to the cloud, consider adopting the Zero Trust model to enhance your security posture.