What is Zero Trust?

What is Zero Trust?

Zero Trust in Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) is a framework for identity security that enforces the principle of least privilege when managing identities, access, and permissions within an organization. Using the principle of least privilege, also known as the principle of minimal privilege, helps organizations ensure that critical systems within a modern identity governance solution afford user accounts and devices the minimum access they require to perform their tasks. This practice limits the potential damage that compromised user accounts or devices can cause. It assumes that threats can exist both inside and outside the network, requiring continuous verification of user identities and strict enforcement of least-privilege access.

The Zero Trust model starts with the mentality that all organizations should “assume being breached” and shifts from a starting point of trusting but verifying to “never trust, always verify.” The model does this by actively governing permissions and continuous monitoring. Additionally, through limiting access and maintaining strong identity controls, Zero Trust supports organizations with compliance with regulations like Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0, the EU NIS2 Directive, and System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2).

Key Principles of Zero Trust

Least Privilege Access

Users and systems are granted only the minimum access necessary to perform their tasks. Access is strictly controlled and regularly reviewed.

Continuous Verification

Identities are continuously validated, even after initial authentication. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and behavior-based analytics ensure ongoing verification. The MFA process requires a user to verify their identity using a password and a one-time code sent to their phone before accessing corporate resources. Behavior-based analytics track user behavior patterns over time to establish a baseline and identify potential anomalies. These patterns include typical login times, frequently used devices, and from which IP addresses users log in.

Context-Aware Access Control

Access decisions are based on contextual factors such as location, device health, time, and behavior patterns.

Segmentation and Isolation

Users are given segmented access to resources, preventing lateral movement within networks.

Adaptive Policies

Policies dynamically adjust based on risk levels detected in user behavior, devices, or network conditions.

Auditing and Monitoring

Continuous monitoring, logging, and auditing of identity activity help detect anomalies and enforce compliance.

Just-in-Time (JIT) Access

Temporary access is granted for specific tasks or durations, reducing the risk of long-standing permissions.

Why Zero Trust is Important

Minimizes Insider and External Threats

Since all users are verified and monitored, the risk of unauthorized access is reduced.

Supports Regulatory Compliance

Enforces stringent identity and access controls, aligning with standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOX.

Addresses Modern Security Challenges

Protects against identity-based attacks, such as phishing, credential theft, and privilege escalation.

Facilitates Remote Work and Cloud Adoption

Provides secure identity management across distributed environments without relying on a network perimeter.

How Zero Trust Works

Implementing a Zero Trust model requires organizations to take the following steps:

Define the Attack Surface

Identify and catalog all potential points of vulnerability or entry into the organization’s network and systems. This helps to understand where protections need to be enforced and where monitoring needs to be increased.

Implement Controls Around Network Traffic

Using techniques like microsegmentation, MFA, and data encryption organizations can prevent unauthorized access and helps detect suspicious or malicious activity. This involves monitoring, managing, and securing the use or applications and flows of data within your network.

Architect a Zero Trust Network

Your organization should work to architect a Zero Trust network where all users, devices, and applications are continuously authenticated and evaluated before they are granted access to resources.

Create a Zero Trust Policy

This is a comprehensive security framework that defines rules and guidelines for continuously verifying the identity and integrity of users, devices, and network traffic before granting users access to resources.

Monitor Your Network

This ensures that there are no existing security issues or areas that need improvement. Monitoring requires that organizations observe and analyze network traffic, user behavior, and endpoint activities in real-time to detect anomalies, respond to incidents swiftly, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Where to Learn More

Zero Trust in Identity Governance and Administration focuses on securing identities and managing access rights dynamically to ensure only authorized users can access resources under the right conditions.

Adopting a full-featured, cloud-native IGA system is key to building the mature Zero Trust model that your organization needs to create and maintain an effective and scalable cybersecurity posture.

Contact Omada to learn more about how a modern IGA is critical to secure identities, improve compliance, and strengthen your organization’s overall cybersecurity posture.