With modern technology and hacking becoming more and more of an everyday thing, the traditional method of cybersecurity is long dead. Most of the time, the security involved with the internet or anything online allows most internal users in, without question. In today’s world, this strategy needs to be modified. The biggest issue is that hackers are now trying to get into the perimeter as internal users, and once they do, they’re able to access sensitive data of all kinds. This is where the damage begins. Zero Trust Networks can help prevent this situation from ever happening. Zero Trust flips the traditional model on its head with one guiding principle: trust no one and nothing by default. It requires strict identity verification for every user, device, and entity attempting to access the network, whether they’re operating inside or outside of the network perimeter. Read more on how Fognigma can define Zero Trust Networks and if they’re useful for your organization.
What is Zero Trust?
Zero trust is easily defined by its name. There is a system in place that allows zero trust per user, no matter if they’re internal or external. They generally treat every device or person as a potential threat for the sake of security. Zero trust is more than just a framework; it’s potentially a strategy that you can use to build onto multiple principles within your framework. Zero Trust Network Access is discrete and is best used by controlling access so that your data is safe. It’s a proactive, layered defense strategy designed to reduce vulnerabilities, limit damage in case of breaches, and adapt to modern cybersecurity challenges. To make it better to understand, traditional systems operate on trust within the network; Zero Trust operates on specific and conditional trust, granting access based only on verified needs.
Why Military Organizations Need Zero Trust
Of all organizations, the military should be one of the most protected when it comes to cybersecurity. Military organizations everywhere deal with sensitive files and data on a daily basis. If this gets into the wrong hands, it can be detrimental to the mission. A single breach in a traditional network could expose vital information and compromise national security.
A Zero Trust Network adds an additional layer of protection through authentication, usage monitoring, and very serious permission controls. Here’s how Zero Trust can bolster military cybersecurity solutions and efforts:
- Eliminates Implicit Trust: Every connection and access request is thoroughly verified, regardless of its source.
- Minimizes Damage: If a breach occurs, attackers are siloed with limited access, preventing a full-scale compromise of the system.
- Supports Remote Operations: With the rise of remote warfare operations and decentralized teams, Zero Trust ensures secure access even in distributed environments.
Key Principles of Zero Trust Implementation
Implementing Zero Trust principles within your infrastructure is one of the best ways to make sure your allowed users are truly allowed to access the data. Without zero trust, you’re vulnerable to cyberattacks and hackers getting into the system. Here are some other key benefits of having zero trust within your organization:
Continuous Monitoring
You don’t ever want to lose sight of who is going in and out of an organization’s network. Zero Trust Networks never take a break from verifying users and identities. There is continuous monitoring every day, all day, so that you know when suspicious or unusual activity occurs because it can happen at any time. For example, a user accessing classified files from a trusted location at a usual hour may pass verification. However, the same user trying to access those files from an unknown location or at an odd time may trigger an alert or red flag. For military organizations, this can be extremely helpful in that sensitive data remains off-limits to unauthorized entities, even if credentials are stolen or misused.
Least Privilege Access
Another thing a Zero Trust Framework is beneficial at is something called least privilege access. It’s mainly the idea that devices anywhere or any sort of user trying to get into the network would have to have a minimum level of permission to do so. For example, a logistics officer may only need access to transportation data but not to weapons-control systems. By limiting access, Zero Trust reduces the risk of accidental exposure or intentional misuse. This is especially critical in environments like military operations, where compartmentalization of information is super important for overall security.
The Role of Decentralized Authentication
Authentication is more important now than ever. You’d be surprised how often hackers or data breachers can get into a framework solely by just falsely pretending to be an internal user. With Zero Trust, decentralized authentication is an excellent and trustworthy strategy to secure your data and overall network system. Here is how it works:
- Unique and Dynamic Access Tokens: Instead of relying on static passwords or tokens, users receive unique, one-time-use access URLs or tokens to authenticate themselves.
- More Levels of Authentication: These tokens act as intermediaries between the user and the central server, ensuring that sensitive credentials are never exposed.
- Tailored or Customizable: Authentication can be tailored to the specific needs of the organization, adding an extra layer of security unique to the operating context.
The Shift to Proactive Cybersecurity Strategies
Because everything seems to be on the internet, including files, projects, communications, and more, the shift to more proactive cybersecurity solutions has become more and more common with organizations and businesses worldwide. Instead of waiting to identify and respond to threats, Zero Trust assumes that breaches are inevitable and builds mechanisms to contain and mitigate them before they can do harm. For military and defense-focused organizations, it can make sure that operations remain uninterrupted and prevent catastrophic data leaks.
The Future is Zero Trust
As we’ve mentioned, hacks and online threats can occur every day. It’s your job to protect your data and overall organization, so team up with companies like Fognigma to help implement a Zero Trust Networks within your framework and safeguard your data the right way. Zero Trust provides a thorough defense system that is fit for the complexity of modern cybersecurity solutions and challenges, and Fognigma is with you every step of the way in leading the charge. We can provide tailored network solutions designed for military and other high-stakes operations. Contact us today to explore how our innovative solutions can redefine your network security.