Key Takeaways

  • Old Model (Perimeter): "Inside = Good, Outside = Bad." Once you VPN into the office network, you are trusted. This led to massive hacks (like Target) where hackers moved laterally.
  • New Model (Zero Trust): "Inside = Untrusted, Outside = Untrusted." Every time you access a file, even if you are the CEO in the HQ, you must authenticate again (MFA).
  • Micro-segmentation: The network is chop ped into tiny pieces. The printer cannot talk to the database. The receptionist cannot access the server room.

Google pioneered this with "BeyondCorp" after they were hacked by China in 2009. Now, the US Government mandates Zero Trust for all agencies.

Principles of Zero Trust

1. Verify Explicitly

Use all available data points: Identity, Device Health, Location, and Time. "Is this really John? Is his laptop patched? Is he logging in from an unusual country?"

2. Use Least Privilege Access

give users Just-Enough-Access (JIT) and Just-In-Time access. If they need admin rights, grant it for 1 hour, then revoke it.

3. Assume Breach

Design the network assuming a hacker is ALREADY inside. Minimize the "Blast Radius." If one laptop acts weird, isolate it immediately.

The Death of the VPN

Zero Trust replaces the clunky corporate VPN. Instead, applications are published securely to the internet via an "Identity Proxy" (like Cloudflare Access or Zscaler). It's faster and safer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it expensive?
Implemented fully, yes. It requires new software and a culture shift. But a data breach costs millions, so it is cheaper in the long run.
Does it slow down employees?
At first, yes (more MFA prompts). But with Biometrics (FaceID/TouchID), it can actually be smoother than typing passwords constantly.

How do we monitor this?
Read SIEM Guide