What is Zero Trust Network Access?
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), also known as software-defined perimeter (SDP), is a security concept that requires every user and device, no matter how "trustworthy," to undergo verification before being granted access to a network and its resources. The term ‘zero trust’ reflects this idea, meaning that no user or device is trusted by default, irrespective of whether it exists inside or outside the network perimeter. The goal of ZTNA is to protect organizations from internal and external threats that can be posed by a variety of actors, such as malicious employees, compromised insiders, or external attackers.
Why ZTNA Exists?
The advent of cloud technology and remote working culture has blurred the traditional security perimeter. Traditional security architectures concentrate on defending the perimeter without enough focus on protecting within or beyond that boundary. This has created a susceptibility to threats that can bypass or exist within the perimeter, leading to breaches in security. ZTNA evolved to address this modern security challenge by adopting an identity- and context-centric security approach. It operates under the premise that trust should be erased from the network, and verification should be enforced everywhere.
Who Needs ZTNA?
Businesses embracing digital transformation and cloud technologies are potential candidates for ZTNA. This includes organizations that rely heavily on remote workforce, shared resources with partners, or use bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies where workers are allowed to use their own personal devices for work. ZTNA is a crucial part of a holistic security strategy for any organization aiming to secure its assets and data against modern-day cyber threats.
How ZTNA is Used in Cloud Infrastructure?
In the context of cloud infrastructure, the use of ZTNA is becoming increasingly common. It allows companies to secure their operations by providing secure access to applications and data, irrespective of location or device. Through ZTNA, access policies can be applied to individual users and devices, preserving security while also granting the necessary permissions. Particularly for SaaS applications, ZTNA ensures secure access, managing the permissions based on the principle of least privilege access - only the minimum necessary access is granted to any user or device, reducing excessive permissions and the risk of cyber threats.
In summary, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a modern security framework that assumes no inherent trust within or outside the network perimeter. It's an essential component for any business adopting modern technologies or methodologies like cloud computing and DevOps. It's used to guard against insider and outsider threats, by enforcing strict access controls based on user identity and contextual factors.
