Zero Trust Security for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses: What You Need to Know

In today’s digital age, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. According to a study conducted by the Ponemon Institute, 76% of SMBs experienced a cyber attack in 2020. As cyberattacks become more sophisticated, traditional security measures such as firewalls and antivirus software are no longer enough to protect businesses from threats. In this article, we will discuss the concept of Zero Trust security and why it is important for SMBs to adopt this approach to protect their digital assets.

What is Zero Trust Security?

Zero Trust security is a model that assumes that any user or device attempting to access a company’s resources must first be verified before access is granted. In other words, nothing is trusted by default, and access is only granted on a need-to-know basis. This approach helps prevent unauthorized access to a company’s data and resources.

The Zero Trust model was first introduced by Forrester Research in 2010 and has since gained popularity due to its effectiveness in preventing data breaches. The traditional security model relied on perimeter-based security, where a company’s network was protected by a firewall, and anyone inside the network was considered trusted. However, this approach became less effective as companies began to adopt cloud-based services and remote work became more common.

The Zero Trust Security model is based on four key principles:

1. Verify explicitly: All access requests must be explicitly authorized and authenticated, regardless of where the access request is coming from.
2. Use least privilege access: Users and devices should only have access to the resources they need to do their jobs, and nothing more.
3. Assume breach: Assume that any user or device that accesses the network is compromised and should be monitored for suspicious activity.
4. Micro-segmentation: Splitting the network into smaller segments and applying access controls to each segment to limit the spread of threats.

Why is Zero Trust Security important for SMBs?

SMBs are a prime target for cybercriminals, as they often have limited resources to devote to cybersecurity. According to a report by Verizon, 43% of cyber attacks target SMBs. The cost of a data breach can be devastating for SMBs, with the average cost of a breach for a small business estimated at $149,000, according to the Ponemon Institute..

Implementing Zero Trust Security can help SMBs protect against cyber-attacks and minimize the risk of data breaches. By adopting a Zero Trust Security model, SMBs can limit access to sensitive data and applications, even if an attacker gains access to the network. This can prevent lateral movement and minimize the damage of a breach.

How can SMBs implement Zero Trust Security?

Implementing a Zero Trust Security model can be a complex and time-consuming process. However, there are several steps SMBs can take to start implementing a Zero Trust Security model:

1. Identify and classify digital assets: The first step in implementing a Zero Trust security model is to identify and classify a company’s digital assets. This includes data, applications, and devices that need to be protected.
2. Implement multi-factor authentication: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a key component of a Zero Trust security model. MFA requires users to provide additional information beyond a username and password to access a company’s resources. This can include a fingerprint, facial recognition, or a one-time code sent to a mobile device.
3. Use micro-segmentation: Micro-segmentation involves dividing a network into smaller, more secure segments. This can help prevent lateral movement of cyber threats within a network.
4. Monitor network traffic: SMBs should monitor network traffic to detect any unauthorized access attempts. This can include using intrusion detection systems and security information and event management (SIEM) tools.
5. Train employees: Employee training is essential in implementing a Zero Trust security model. Employees should be trained on security best practices, such as not sharing passwords, identifying phishing emails, and reporting any suspicious activity.

Conclusion

Zero Trust Security is a critical security model that can help SMBs protect against cyber-attacks and minimize the risk of data breaches. By implementing a Zero Trust Security model, SMBs can limit access to sensitive data and applications, even if an attacker gains access to the network. Although implementing a Zero Trust Security model can be a complex and time-consuming process, SMBs can take several steps to start implementing it.

Aurora as part of Plurilock, offers a range of products and services to help organizations build a Zero Trust architecture. Our solutions focus on providing continuous authentication and access controls to ensure that only authorized users are accessing sensitive resources.

Plurilock’s core technology is based on behavioral biometrics, which involves analyzing a user’s unique behavioral patterns to establish their identity. This approach is more secure than traditional authentication methods such as passwords and tokens, which can be easily compromised by attackers.

Learn more at aurorait.com/defend/ or

Contact us: sales@aurorait.com | +1 888 282 0696

References:

“What is Zero Trust?” Microsoft. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/zero-trust

“What is Zero Trust Security and Why is it Important?” Forcepoint. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.forcepoint.com/cyber-edu/zero-trust-security

“Zero Trust Security: The Future of Network Security.” Cisco. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/data-center-virtualization/zero-trust-security.html

“Why SMBs Need Zero Trust Security.” Security Boulevard. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://securityboulevard.com/2022/06/why-smbs-need-zero-trust-security/

“The Benefits of Implementing Zero Trust Security.” Dark Reading. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities-threats/the-benefits-of-implementing-zero-trust-security/a/d-id/1338747

“5 Steps to Implementing a Zero Trust Security Model.” Help Net Security. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2021/02/22/5-steps-to-implementing-a-zero-trust-security-model/

“Small Business Cybersecurity: A Guide to Help Protect Your Business.” Federal Trade Commission. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/plain-language/pdf-0154-small-business-cybersecurity.pdf

“NIST Cybersecurity Framework.” National Institute of Standards and Technology. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework

“Small Business Information Security: The Fundamentals.” National Institute of Standards and Technology. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2020/06/22/smallbizinfosecfundamentals-final.pdf

“Small and Midsize Business Security: 5 Tips for Protecting Your Network.” Cisco. Accessed March 28, 2023. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/small-business-security/5-tips-for-protecting-your-network.html