Zero Trust Network Access

What is Zero Trust Network Access?

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a solution that establishes a logical access boundary around a specific application or group of applications, based on identity and context. This approach ensures that the applications remain concealed and access is only granted to authorized individuals through a trusted intermediary. The intermediary, known as the trust broker, validates the identity, context, and adherence to predefined policies of the designated participants before granting access. Furthermore, it prevents unauthorized movement within the network, minimizing the risk of potential attacks. By implementing ZTNA, the visibility of application assets to the public is eliminated, resulting in a significantly reduced attack surface.

Key principles of Zero Trust Network Access include:

Verify Identity: Users and devices must authenticate themselves before gaining access to network resources. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is commonly used to enhance identity verification.

Least-Privilege Access: Access should be based on the principle of least privilege, meaning that users and devices should only be granted the minimum level of access required to perform their specific tasks, and no more.

Micro-Segmentation: Network resources are divided into smaller, isolated segments or zones. Access to these segments is tightly controlled based on the principle of least privilege. This limits lateral movement within the network by attackers.

Continuous Monitoring: Ongoing monitoring and analysis of network traffic, user behavior, and device activity are essential to detect anomalies and potential security threats.

Encryption: Data in transit and at rest should be encrypted to protect it from unauthorized access.

Dynamic Policies: Access policies should be dynamic and adaptive, adjusting permissions based on changing conditions, user behavior, and threat intelligence.

Application-Centric: ZTNA focuses on securing individual applications and services rather than the entire network, allowing for more fine-grained control over access.

Zero Trust for All: Zero Trust Network Access applies the same security principles to users and devices regardless of their location, whether they are inside or outside the corporate network.