Businesses Should Opt for Zero-Trust Policies when it Comes to IT

In the business world, it can be difficult to know who to trust in regard to cybersecurity. In many cases, businesses are simply opting to not trust any device, friend or foe, when it comes to their data security. This type of zero-trust model is slowly becoming the norm, and it’s one that your organization might consider moving forward.

What is Zero-Trust?

In short, zero-trust is exactly what it sounds like. By default, there is no trust established between devices, accounts, or users on your network. This essentially means that anyone who wants to access information stored on your infrastructure will need to verify their identity, no matter who they are. You could be the CEO or a network administrator and you’d still have to verify your identity in the same way as your general office worker. This is generally accomplished through some form of external authentication.

There are several benefits to implementing a zero-trust model, one of which is that it drastically increases security. When everyone is constantly verifying their identities to go about their day-to-day business, you can bet that your network will be as secure as can be. On the other side of this, however, is what happens when someone is unable to authenticate themselves for whatever reason. Like any new technology solution implementation, it’s safe to say that there will be a rough patch at the beginning of implementation, but once you get through it, you can experience network security, unlike anything you have ever seen.

What Are the Downsides?

The biggest issue with implementing zero-trust policies is that it is a major infrastructural and organizational change, particularly for large businesses that have larger workforces and even more devices that access data on a regular basis. The amount of time, effort, and investment in zero-trust policies and technologies can make it seem like a daunting task to implement, which is why we urge you to think the logistics through before committing to any such practice. To this end, we can help with a comprehensive security audit and assessment to help you determine if zero-trust makes sense for your business.

Plus, if you do decide you want to pursue this policy, Directive can help your business work toward a zero-trust security model by equipping your organization with the tools needed to keep tabs on all facets of your network security. Whether it’s implementing multi-factor authentication or implementing additional protections on your network, you know you can trust us to make it happen.

To learn more about zero-trust policies and security frameworks, reach out to Directive at 607.433.2200.