Strong cybersecurity protects your business data so you can focus on business growth. Zero trust (ZT) and zero trust network access (ZTNA) provide excellent parameters for organizations to accomplish their cybersecurity goals, but some companies need help implementing these guidelines.
We will walk you through what you should know about the value of a ZTNA setup and some common gaps you will want to watch for to keep your network fully protected. With the proper protection, you can confidently move forward with your business operations and trust that you have cybersecurity protections to keep you safe.
Why Does Zero Trust Matter for My Business?
The cost associated with cybersecurity breaches continues to rise, reaching an average of $4.24 million. Fortunately, cybersecurity continues improving and offers businesses better protection.
Remote work has become a core component of the work setups for countless businesses since the pandemic. However, having employees working from various locations forces you to think outside the traditional perimeter-based computer system protection. Zero trust systems can bridge this gap and provide greater flexibility than other remote security systems, such as virtual private networks (VPNs). Gartner predicts that by 2023, 60% of businesses will shift away from VPNs to ZTNA to keep their businesses secure.
Does your team work from home regularly? Running a remote business doesn’t have to be complicated. Learn more.
How do hackers try to access business systems?
A zero trust system protects your business from a variety of different angles, including heading hackers off at the 3 most common points of entry. Let’s break down the top 3 strategies hackers might use to gain access to your network.
Compromised login credentials
There are a variety of methods used by hackers to gain access to an authorized person’s login credentials and use them to access the account.
Phishing
A hacker sends emails impersonating someone else and convincing someone at the company to share sensitive information, click on a malicious link or download an attachment that contains malware.
Cloud misconfiguration
Cloud misconfiguration refers to errors or gaps that could make it easier for bad actors to access confidential information stored on the cloud.
Zero trust can reduce the opportunities for these types of attacks. It incorporates features like multifactor authentication and micro-segregation that keep your information more secure.
How Do I Make Sure Zero Trust Works for Me?
The appeal of a zero-trust setup has already begun to spread to businesses across different industries. One survey found that 40% of companies claimed to have fully implemented a zero-trust setup, while another 54% had done so at least partially. Only 6% claimed not to use a ZTNA at all.
Despite this impressively high implementation rate, some common gaps emerge in many setups. As a business, you want to watch for these potential errors to avoid inadvertently leaving your business at risk.
A disconnect between business solutions and the available technology
Survey results indicate that some businesses have a disconnect between the solutions they have officially enacted and securing the technology they need to embrace that solution fully. Specifically, research into the top 3 gaps that prevent businesses from fully implementing ZTNA solutions has revealed the following:
- More than half of companies need help to authenticate users and devices regularly. In other words, employees and devices accessing the system do not have to verify their identity and permissions periodically.
- Over 50% of businesses lack the ability to monitor users after authentication. Once someone gets into the system, the technology is not in place to track users, which would allow the system to pinpoint potential problems and uncover bad actors.
- More than 40% of users also need help to use micro-segmentation, which would allow them to create zones of control. Zones of control empower system monitors to limit the damage a bad actor can do if they do gain access to the system.
Deerwood Technologies Helps You Achieve Your Cybersecurity Goals
The first step in resolving any concerns about cybersecurity is an IT assessment with our experts. We identify your strengths and areas that need improvement to ensure you have a level of security that makes sense for your organization. With the optimal security in place, you can focus on your business goals and sleep easier at night. Schedule your IT risk assessment today.