The rise of the dispersed workforce has created new business opportunities as more and more employees move to hybrid and remote work. Organizations can offer employees more flexible work schedules and access a larger talent pool without geographic restrictions.
However, the growing number of digital environments adds complexity to modern networks. And as the network expands, so does the potential attack for cybercriminals to exploit, especially as remote workers regularly use the cloud, Software-as-a-Service, and more to access corporate data and systems.
While companies used to be able to provide a comprehensive level of security to organizational devices by leveraging firewalls and the external walls of the network, this is no longer a viable method of securing the distributed network of devices. Therefore, a zero-trust approach to security should no longer be considered optional; it is essential for safety hygiene.
Bringing Zero Trust to the Network Edge
Traditional or legacy network architectures that rely on users to be within physical parameters assume that all threats are external to an organization. This is no longer enough in today’s changing work environment or threat landscape. Zero trust is the only comprehensive and effective solution that meets the needs of a dispersed workforce.
As a network security approach, zero trust can uniquely secure remote workers compared to other methods. It is designed to keep networks secure even when employees operate outside the organizational architecture. It does not rely on a traditional network edge and can work with hybrid, cloud-based, or local networks.
In addition to assuming no traditional network edge, zero trust also believes that any connected device or user may be compromised and that there are no implicit areas of faith. This means that each access request must be authorized and continuously verified, and the authenticity must be evaluated before granting access to the network.
This helps organizations secure by evaluating every possible device, application, user, or machine that tries to access the network. When users attempt to access or transfer data, a zero-trust approach also means that all activities are tracked and logged, and confidential data is protected.
This level of security delivers significant benefits to the organization by ensuring that it can bring security to the edge of the network, wherever that edge is, and continue to protect and secure more and more distributed networks. Despite the benefits, many companies may hesitate to take the first step towards securing the edge with a zero-trust approach due to the potentially high cost and complexity involved.
Some organizations may struggle to find the resources needed for a zero-trust approach. It takes time and a concerted effort to implement zero trust for maximum return on investment effectively. The zero trust investment may not deliver the expected results without the right skills and technologies. While this may be a valid concern, the fact is that the risk of a cyber breach will result in a greater financial impact than the cost of implementing a more comprehensive approach to cybersecurity.
This includes the possibility of financial data being compromised, business data being bought off, or the reputational damage this can cause by risking confidential data being compromised and misused. Then there are the additional costs associated with fixing the cyber breach itself, which can take time and resources.
Today’s businesses need to invest in a reliable zero-trust network approach, or they risk more than falling behind the competition through outdated technologies.
