Model:
Summary:
The Zero Trust security framework is a strategic approach to cybersecurity that eliminates the concept of trust from an organization's network architecture. Rooted in the principle of "never trust, always verify," it is designed to protect modern digital environments by leveraging network segmentation, preventing lateral movement, providing Layer 7 threat prevention, and simplifying granular user-access control.
The framework illustrated in the image outlines a maturity model for deploying Zero Trust security in phases, transitioning from reactive to proactive and then to adaptive postures. Here's an explanation for each phase:
- Endpoint (North South): This phase involves securing the entry and exit points of a network (typically the North-South traffic to and from the internet), ensuring that devices are authenticated and authorized before accessing network resources.
- Endpoint (East West): This step extends security measures to internal network traffic (East-West), monitoring and securing the communication between devices within the network to prevent lateral movement of threats.
- DDoS / WAF: Deployment of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection and Web Application Firewalls (WAF) to defend against external attacks aimed at disrupting service or exploiting web applications.
- Cloud SIEM: Implementing Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions in the cloud for real-time analysis of security alerts generated by applications and network hardware.
- Vulnerability Management / Threat Intelligence (TI): Proactive identification and remediation of vulnerabilities, combined with using threat intelligence to understand and prepare for threats before they impact the business.
- Identity and Access Management (IAM) / Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) / Privileged Access Management (PAM): Strengthening user authentication and privilege processes with IAM, MFA and PAM to ensure that only the right individuals, software, and workloads have “least privilege” access to your systems.
- Endpoint (XDR AI/UEBA): Advanced endpoint protection using Extended Detection and Response (XDR) with artificial intelligence, and User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) for more sophisticated threat detection and response.
- Workload Protection: Protecting the workloads across various environments, ensuring that the servers, whether on-premises or in the cloud, are secure from vulnerabilities and attacks.
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Implementing a ZTNA solution that provides secure remote access to an organization's applications, based on strict identity verification and the principle of least privilege.
0. Cross-Framework: Several categories of security solutions fall into a cross-framework designation. For example encryption strategies, at rest, in transit, and during compute often apply to several of the categories listed above. Others include crypto key management, and backup and recovery.
The overall framework aims to systematically strengthen an organization's security posture by applying Zero Trust principles across all aspects of the network and its interactions. By moving through these phases, an organization can mature its cybersecurity defenses, making it more resilient against both external and internal threats.
Sources:
NIST 800-53: Security & Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations
ISO 27001 - Information Security, Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection