To adopt the Zero Trust Network Access approach is a crucial challenge for publishers
A couple of weeks ago, many legacy VPN users faced CVEs (common vulnerabilities and exposures) and needed to update their FW (firewall) operating system (when the vendor offered an update or a quick fix). It caused a service interruption and required much effort for run teams to deploy those updates.
Despite receiving that first warning, enterprises are not inclined to embark on their Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA) journey, their reluctance stems from the belief that it necessitates a comprehensive view of the flows between all their users and their apps. Consequently, they tend to postpone the deployment of Zero-Trust Network Access for one or two years and conduct multiple audits of their internal assets beforehand.
Cybersecurity vendors should embrace the following principles to provide a smooth transition for their users:
Avoid the “Big bang” migration
Acknowledge that a staggered deployment is crucial when migrating to a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution. It is essential to introduce access policies progressively, particularly for high-risk applications and users, gradually extending across services. It necessitates the early stages of the coexistence of Virtual Private Networks (VPN) and ZTNA solutions. The solution must provide the option of configuring ZTNA as a VPN solution, refining the setup as team competencies improve, and enabling seamless migration to a comprehensive ZTNA solution.
Embrace a Pragmatic Approach to Zero Trust
Adopt a pragmatic approach to implementation, such as prioritizing critical areas for deploying the Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) methodology. Nomadic users, like teleworkers, are the primary entry point for this approach because of their diverse connectivity sources and heightened security demands.
Focus on the use cases
Identifying prominent usage scenarios relevant to your business is of utmost importance. Such scenarios may encompass distinct connectivity or security requisites dependent on your organization’s specific operational dynamics and objectives. Hence, by doing so, you will be able to evaluate the needs of your business and determine the measures required to meet them. Ensuring that your operations and goals are aligned with the connectivity and security measures you implement is critical. This approach will enable you to achieve optimal efficiency and effectiveness in your business operations. Therefore, it is imperative to adopt a proactive approach in the identification and implementation of the necessary measures that will enable your organization to achieve its goals.
From ZTNA to comprehensive SSE (Security Service Edge) migration
Cyber threats have become more prevalent than ever, and organizations must take stringent measures to ensure the security of their digital assets. One such measure is adopting a Zero-Trust security strategy, which involves continuously verifying users and devices and fortifying the security posture at the network edge, as we have seen before. Secure Service Edge (SSE) is a critical enabler of this approach, which helps businesses establish an agile security framework that safeguards against existing and emerging threats.
In conclusion, the evolving nature of cybersecurity necessitates innovative approaches like Zero Trust and SSE to secure the digital future of businesses and individuals. By adopting these approaches, organizations can establish a sturdy security framework that protects their digital assets from cyber threats and ensures continued success in the digital era.