Complete Guide to Zero Trust Architecture

In essence, zero trust is a strategic cybersecurity approach that eliminates the concept of trust from network architecture. This term was first introduced by Forrester analysts, suggesting a move away from dividing zones into trusted and untrusted. Instead, the zero trust model requires the strict verification of each person’s identity and device trying to access resources, regardless of whether they are in the office or connecting remotely.

Experts often debate whether zero trust is a technology or a philosophy. It is more of a methodology, which, in the interpretation of security experts (such as Idaptive), is based on three pillars: user identity confirmation, device validation, and strict privilege limitation. For businesses, zero trust is an excellent way to minimize risks by granting access only after multifactor verification and only to those resources necessary for the current task.

The most comprehensive technical description of how a zero trust model should be built is provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). According to their guidelines, the architecture does not necessarily require a complete infrastructure overhaul, but insists on the integration of logical components.

The central element of the system is the policy engine. When discussing zero trust in terms of architecture, this mechanism makes decisions about granting access. It relies on data provided by the policy administrator, who issues commands to establish connections. The third component is the policy enforcement point (PEP), which directly connects the user to the resource.

A properly configured zero trust model uses data from multiple sources: Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) systems, threat intelligence channels, network activity logs, and Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems.

To understand even deeper what zero trust is, one should consider the seven principles on which, according to NIST, this architecture is built:

1. Users: strict identity verification and rights management through IAM and multi-factor authentication;
2. Devices: mandatory security checks and gadget updates prior to granting access;
3. Network: infrastructure segmentation and environment isolation to control data flows;
4. Workloads: protection of all running applications and software processes;
5. Data: encryption of information and restriction of access based on the principle of least privilege;
6. Visibility: continuous monitoring and analysis of system activity to identify threats;
7. Automation: use of automated algorithms for rapid incident response.

The implemented zero trust model has obvious advantages. The main one is transparency. You know exactly who has access to what. This significantly reduces the attack surface, as it is more difficult for hackers to move within the network. Moreover, zero trust is an excellent way to improve monitoring, allowing for a quicker response to incidents.

However, the complexities of the zero trust methodology cannot be ignored. The main challenge is the dependency on correct configuration. A policy mechanism error can halt business operations. Also, the zero trust model requires protection against internal threats: if an attacker steals credentials, the system might let them through, which makes multi-factor authentication (MFA) critically important.

Many organizations face the problem of legacy systems that are difficult to adapt to new standards. For them, zero trust is a gradual migration process, not an instant switch flip. It’s also important to work with personnel: explaining the principle of zero trust so that people don’t see constant checks as a personal distrust but as protection of corporate data.

The company iIT Distribution, the official distributor of Cloudflare solutions in Ukraine, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, offers advanced tools for implementing a zero trust strategy. Cloudflare Zero Trust solutions allow the principles described to be implemented quickly and effectively.

The Cloudflare platform provides secure access to resources for all users, regardless of their location. Thus, using the global Cloudflare network, organizations can replace outdated VPNs with faster and more secure gateways.

Zero Trust from Cloudflare achieves impressive results:

• Reduction of malicious traffic by 90%;
• Decrease in the time spent on security tool administration by 73%;
• Reduction in total cost of ownership (TCO) by 50%.

For global businesses, the speed of operation is crucial. The Cloudflare network reaches 95% of the world’s internet users with a latency of less than 50 ms. This means that security checks do not slow down employee work.

The primary capabilities of the platform include user authentication from anywhere in the world, seamless device protection, and remote browsing where all code executes in the cloud, protecting endpoint devices from attacks. The Cloudflare zero trust model allows for the application of acceptable use policies, blocking risky sites, and obtaining deep analytics on SaaS applications.

In conclusion, it can be confidently stated that the future of information security lies in zero trust technologies. The old perimeter is gone. Now zero trust is the only way to ensure data security in the world of remote work and cloud technologies. Although this model requires effort to implement, you can start small: asset identification and implementation of MFA, gradually enhancing protection with reliable partners such as iIT Distribution and Cloudflare.