For over two decades, cybersecurity experts have explored what a world operating by the principles of “Zero Trust” could look like. In that time, what we’ve come to know as the Zero Trust approach has come a long way. And as cybersecurity threats, business models, and workforce dynamics evolve, applying the principle of least privilege to data access has become integral to many organizations’ cybersecurity strategies. What used to be just another buzzword is now a cybersecurity model trusted by 63% of organizations worldwide.
And private-sector organizations aren’t the only ones prioritizing Zero Trust.
In 2021, President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity, which mandated that federal agencies must move towards a Zero Trust model by September of 2024. In the years after, the NSA, Office of Management and Budget, and Department of Defense all released guidance and strategies outlining similar moves.
Here’s why Zero Trust has become such a priority.
Why public and private organizations are shifting to Zero Trust
As the ways we work shift, IT and security teams are adopting a “never trust, always verify” mindset. According to Okta, drivers for Zero Trust include endless fraud and insider threats, growing demand for hybrid work, and unfettered cloud access. With hybrid work here to stay, and SaaS sprawl increasing, locating and securing devices has become a bigger challenge than ever, creating unnecessary complexity and increased strain for IT and security teams.
Zero Trust helps solve this. Centered on the belief that organizations should not automatically trust anything inside or outside its perimeters, the Zero Trust model helps companies minimize the attack surface and strengthen security posture.
One core capability that comes with the Zero Trust security model is visibility – and gaining insight into the IT environment helps strengthen any kind of organization’s security posture by building a strong foundation.
With the government leading the way to Zero Trust, there’s massive potential for public and private entities to work in harmony and strengthen partnerships. The emphasis on Zero Trust from federal leaders shows how crucial this security approach is when navigating complexity in an evolving threat landscape. And, as standards for cybersecurity rise, federal agencies will be stricter with who they can work with, leaving those who haven’t implemented Zero Trust behind.
Taking the next step
Shifting to Zero Trust is not a one-and-done process; it’s a long-term goal that takes time and effort. But using a Cyber Asset Attack Surface Management (CAASM) solution like Axonius can help move things along.
Implementing a Zero Trust approach is a cultural shift towards a new way of thinking about cybersecurity. And even as cyber threats and the ways we work continue to change, Zero Trust won’t be going anywhere.
Check out our new white paper, “First Step to Zero Trust: Building a Strong Cybersecurity Foundation”, which explores the evolution, the technologies, and the first steps to implementing a Zero Trust model.
