Building Zero Trust Security Model with EPM

The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by increasing threats and sophisticated attack vectors. As organisations grapple with these challenges, traditional security measures often struggle to keep up, leaving critical vulnerabilities unaddressed.

Enter Zero Trust, a modern security framework that enhances organisational resilience against cyber threats.

Zero Trust is an integral part of Endpoint Privilege Management (EPM), a pivotal strategy for creating a powerful organisation’s security model.

This article explores how EPM aligns with the zero trust security model and enables enterprises to create robust security defences.

Understanding Zero Trust Architecture

Zero Trust is grounded in the principle of “trust, but always verify.” Unlike traditional security models that assume users inside a network are trustworthy, Zero Trust advocates for continuous authentication and authorisation of users and devices. Every access request is scrutinised, regardless of origin, ensuring that only authenticated and authorised individuals can access sensitive resources.

The 5 Pillars of Zero-Trust Security Model

Here are the five key pillars that underpin this robust security model:

1. Identity

User identity is fundamental in a Zero Trust security model. This involves implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and stringent identity verification processes to ensure that only authorised users can access sensitive resources. Continuous monitoring of user behaviour helps identify anomalies and potential security threats.

2. Devices

Devices are treated as potential vulnerabilities until proven secure. This enforces strict security measures, such as device health checks and endpoint protection. Ensuring that the devices meet security model compliance before granting access helps reduce the risk of breaches stemming from compromised endpoints.

3. Networks

Network segmentation is crucial for limiting access to sensitive information. Organisations can contain potential breaches and reduce the attack surface by creating micro-segments within the network. This strategy ensures that even if an intruder gains access to one segment, their movement is restricted, making it more challenging to access critical systems.

4. Applications and Workloads

Securing applications and workloads is essential in a Zero Trust security model. This involves implementing defensive controls at the application layer, such as secure coding practices and runtime protection. Regular updates, monitoring for application vulnerabilities, and securing workloads in cloud environments are vital to preventing exploitation.

5. Data

Data security is paramount in the Zero Trust security model. It includes encrypting data at rest and in transit and applying strict access controls based on the principle of least privilege. Organisations can significantly mitigate the risk of data breaches by ensuring that users only have access to the resources necessary for their roles.

Zero trust reduced breach costs in India by 62.9%

Core Principles of Zero Trust in Identity Security

Verify Explicitly: Authentication and authorisation should be based on multiple data points, including user identity, device health, and location. This ensures that access is granted only to those who meet the necessary criteria.

Use Least-Privilege Access: Limiting user permissions to only what is necessary for their roles reduces the risk of misuse. By adopting a least-privilege approach, organisations can effectively minimise the potential damage caused by compromised accounts.

Data-Breach Preparedness: Being able to detect and thwart threats/security incidents as soon as they hit is vital. Organisations can minimise the blast radius by assuming that a breach could occur anytime and swiftly implement measures to contain damage.

The Role of EPM in Zero Trust Security Model

A robust EPM solution is what enterprises need when it comes to protecting security architectures from the base level. Sectona offers a cutting-edge Endpoint Privilege Management system with a simplified yet powerful approach that answers endpoint security challenges.

Enforcing the Least Privileged Access

Sectona EPM is instrumental in enforcing least-privileged access within an organisation. By restricting user privileges to only what is necessary for their specific roles, Sectona EPM significantly reduces the risk of insider threats and external attacks.

For instance, a financial analyst may require access to specific financial applications but should not have administrative privileges on the network. Sectona EPM ensures that users operate within the confines of their assigned permissions, thereby mitigating the risks associated with over-privileged accounts.

Case studies have demonstrated that organisations implementing least-privilege access through Sectona EPM have seen a marked reduction in security incidents, reinforcing the importance of this strategy within the security model framework.

Continuous Authentication and Authorisation

Continuous authentication and authorisation are critical components of a Zero Trust security model. Sectona EPM employs robust mechanisms to authenticate endpoints before granting access. This includes assessing the device’s security posture and ensuring it complies with organisational policies.

Integration with identity providers, such as Active Directory, enhances security by centralising user management and enabling seamless authentication processes. This constructive collaboration allows organisations to enforce security model policies consistently across all endpoints, ensuring that only compliant devices gain access to sensitive data.

Reducing Attack Surface and Preventing Lateral / Vertical Movement

One of Sectona EPM’s significant advantages is its ability to minimise the attack surface and prevent lateral movement within a network. By controlling privileged access to sensitive resources, Sectona EPM restricts attackers’ ability to traverse the network once they gain initial access.

Implementing strategies for monitoring and controlling privileged access is essential. Sectona EPM provides granular visibility into user activity, allowing organisations to promptly detect and respond to suspicious behaviour. This proactive approach enhances security and protects critical assets from potential breaches.

Concept of Zero Standing Privileges in EPM

Zero-Standing Privileges (ZSP) is a security model that promotes removing all permanent access rights for users in an organisation. It builds on the concept of just-in-time access, allowing users to get temporary access when they need it.

With ZSP, users don’t possess ongoing access rights until they request approval. This approach lowers the security risks by making it harder for someone to misuse their access, as they only have permissions when necessary.

Here’s a simple example of Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) in action:

Imagine a company that has a sensitive financial software system. Instead of giving all employees permanent access to this system, the company uses ZSP.

Access Request: If an employee needs to use the financial software for a specific task, they submit an access request.

Temporary Granting: Once a manager or a system admin approves their request, they get temporary access for a limited time (like a few hours or days).

Automatic Removal: Their access is automatically revoked after the period expires or the task is completed.

This way, employees only have access when they need it, reducing the risk of unauthorised use or potential security breaches.

Benefits of Integrating Sectona EPM Security Model

Enhanced Security Posture

Integrating Sectona EPM significantly bolsters an organisation’s security architecture. By enforcing least-privileged access, Sectona EPM eliminates implicit trust and ensures that every access request is rigorously vetted. This proactive approach minimises the risk of data breaches and enhances protection against internal and external threats.

Improved Compliance and Audit Trails

Sectona EPM is crucial in maintaining compliance with regulatory standards by providing comprehensive logging and reporting capabilities. Organisations can track user activity and access patterns, ensuring they meet compliance requirements effectively. This thorough documentation supports audits and regulatory reviews, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to security model integrity.

Allow Users to Elevate Privileges On-Demand

Sectona EPM enables users to request elevated privileges as needed, ensuring access to the resources required for their tasks without compromising security. This flexibility enhances productivity while maintaining control.

Empower Users with Controlled & Need-Based Administrator Access

With Sectona EPM, organisations can grant users need-based administrator access, allowing them to perform essential functions without permanently assigning broad privileges. This reduces the risk of misuse while empowering users to fulfil their roles effectively within the security model.

Application Control

Sectona EPM provides application control capabilities (blacklisting and whitelisting), allowing organisations to define which applications can be executed by users with elevated privileges. This feature helps mitigate the risk of malicious software while ensuring that only approved applications are used within the environment.

Offline Scenarios

Sectona EPM allows controlled access to essential applications and functions in scenarios where users need to work offline. This capability ensures uninterrupted productivity while maintaining strict security model protocols.

Remove & Continuously Monitor Administrator Rights

Sectona EPM enables organisations to remove unnecessary administrator rights and continuously monitors these rights to ensure compliance. This ongoing oversight helps identify potential risks and ensures access remains aligned with organisational security posture.

Switch to Zero Trust EPM

Sectona EPM supports the principles of a robust security model by enforcing least-privilege access, facilitating continuous authentication, and reducing the attack surface. As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, adopting a strategy fortified by Endpoint Privilege Management is not just a recommendation; it is a necessity.

Organisations must take proactive steps to enhance their cybersecurity posture. By integrating Sectona EPM.

Now is the time to act—Contact us to embrace this approach and empower your organisation to navigate the complexities of modern cybersecurity challenges.