With the rise of working from home, cloud computing and interconnected devices have expanded the potential attack surface. To address this, a new security model called Zero Trust Edge (ZTE) has emerged. 

This is because, as we progress with technology, traditional network security approaches that rely on setting up a secure perimeter are no longer sufficient. 

In this beginner’s guide, we’ll explore the concept of a Zero trust network access model, its benefits and how it can enhance your organisation’s security posture.

What is Zero Trust Network Access?

It is a cloud-based network architecture that tightly integrates advanced security with networking capabilities. It’s based on the idea of “never trust, always verify” – meaning it treats every user, device and application as untrusted until their identity and permissions are fully validated.

Rather than assuming connections inside a network perimeter are safe, ZTE secures individual connections to specific applications based on continuously checking identities and context. This zero trust network access approach helps prevent breaches and limits potential damage if one area is compromised.

The core principles of ZTE are:

1. Cloud-based management of all network and security rules from a single point
2. Unified cloud-based monitoring and analysis of all network traffic and user activity

How Zero Trust Edge (ZTE) Works

ZTE can be implemented in various ways, depending on an organisation’s specific needs and existing infrastructure. Here are three common approaches:

1. Cloud-delivered ZTE Service: In this model, ZTE is provided as a fully cloud-based, vendor-operated network-as-a-service (NaaS) product. Users connect to distributed points of presence (POPs) and are granted access to the service provider’s infrastructure.
2. ZTE as Part of a WAN Service: Some wide area network (WAN) service providers now bundle ZTE capabilities with their software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) offerings, providing an all-in-one solution for secure and efficient network access.
3. Self-built ZTE: Large enterprises with existing infrastructure may choose to build their ZTE solution from the ground up, deploying their own POPs, firewalls and other components. This method provides the most customisation but can be costly and time-consuming.

Benefits of Zero Trust Edge

1. Enhanced Risk Mitigation: ZTE significantly reduces network vulnerabilities by enforcing rigorous authentication and validation at every level, ensuring that only trusted entities gain access to sensitive resources.
2. Facilitation of Cybersecurity Transformation: ZTE acts as a gateway for various security and networking services, enabling organisations to gradually adopt and integrate new technologies seamlessly.
3. Streamlined Cybersecurity Infrastructure: By consolidating multiple cybersecurity tools into a unified solution, ZTE simplifies monitoring, analysis and response to cybersecurity threats, reducing compatibility issues and improving efficiency.
4. Secure Hybrid Workplace: ZTE enforces consistent security policies across all connection sources, ensuring that remote employees connecting from unmanaged networks are subject to the same level of scrutiny as those working from the office.
5. Cost-Effectiveness: ZTE’s cloud-based and automated nature makes it a scalable and cost-effective solution, allowing organisations to pay only for the resources they currently require.

Challenges of Zero Trust Edge

While ZTNA offers numerous benefits, organisations should be aware of potential challenges during implementation:

1. Legacy Applications and Services: Integrating legacy applications and services built on older protocols and standards into the ZTE framework can be challenging, as they may not be compatible with modern authentication and security requirements.
2. Legacy Hardware: Critical infrastructure components relying on legacy hardware may need to be updated or replaced to support ZTE, which can be costly and disruptive.
3. Capacity Limitations: Organisations must carefully assess their network capacity before implementing ZTE, as it may require additional upgrades or migration to cloud-based infrastructure to accommodate the increased traffic and security demands.

Conclusion

Zero Trust Edge (ZTE) represents a paradigm shift in network security, offering a comprehensive and proactive approach to protecting organisational resources in the era of remote work and cloud computing. ZTE safeguards sensitive data and applications from unauthorised access by integrating networking and security concepts.