Explaining Zero-Trust Pros and Cons

With countless threats out there waiting for IT professionals to slip up, it’s no small wonder that many of these professionals are opting into what is called a zero-trust policy for their security standards. So, what exactly is a zero-trust policy, and more importantly, how is it so effective at mitigating security problems in organizational computing? 

What Is Zero-Trust?

Basically, it is the removal of IT-related trust from your network. That means devices that you’ve put on the network yourself. Essentially, what this means is that even devices that are on the correct side of your network, those being the ones that have already connected to it, cannot be trusted to be inherently secure.

How Does It Work and Is It Right for Me?

Zero-trust security policies are not for all businesses, because they can actually do more harm than good as far as productivity goes. You will have to ascertain if your company’s network fits the bill here. It is important that organizations think of this less as a guideline and more like an approach to network design, meaning that this should not be considered a steadfast rule. Naturally, all businesses will have different needs, and some companies just might not be able to make a zero-trust policy work.

This is particularly notable for companies that have large computing infrastructures, as the number of devices involved and the sheer cost of moving in this direction could eat holes in your business’ budget for as long as you are building the strategy out. Businesses might have to acquire new hardware and services, train technicians, and frequently update all of this technology to keep up with security standards. Furthermore, companies that utilize a Bring Your Own Device policy (BYOD) have an even harder time implementing a comprehensive zero-trust policy.

Despite these difficulties, it doesn't hurt to consider a zero-trust policy for your business. Here are five reasons why it works:

• You gain greater control over data delegation to the appropriate users.
• Provides a construct for stronger authentication and authorization policies.
• It can provide a much cleaner user experience (single sign-on).
• Every action and device is subject to policy, leaving nothing to chance.
• Mandates the need for comprehensive access logs.

Start Securing Your Systems Today

There is a lot to be done to protect your business from the plethora of threats out there, and we guarantee that working with a cybersecurity professional like those at White Mountain IT Services will give you the best shot at protecting your business as possible. To learn more, reach out to us at 603-889-0800.