As cloud connectivity integrates with more workflows, the number of possible security risks for organizations increases. Providing more comprehensive access and control to remote users could open the door to unauthorized access. What is zero-trust security? It’s a method for keeping this distributed access reliably safe.
Shifting Perimeters of Organizational Security
Much like any building can be physically protected around its perimeter through the use of locked doors, security personnel, and identification procedures, business IT infrastructure has a defined border with security measures to defend.
Traditionally, the perimeter has been within the confines of the physical building. Employees could only access servers and applications on-site through devices within the building. That gave clear endpoints and avenues for traffic at which security must be enforced.
However, this perimeter has now extended. Remote employees work from their own homes, often on their own devices. Extensive cloud infrastructure opens more systems to more users than ever before, requiring a new security approach.
The new perimeter makes it more challenging to verify user identities and how trustworthy their identities are. In order to account for identification, zero-trust security assumes that all connections are coming from an untrusted network, closing the potential security gaps that extending too much trust to remote connections could open.
How Zero-Trust Security Works
The need for increased security is clear, but what is zero-trust security, and how exactly does it work? It relies on various methods for ensuring that connections really are coming from who they say they are.
Zero-trust security verifies identity for every connection, rather than relying on past verification to imply trust. Multi-factor is one method to achieve this, ensuring that devices aren’t used for unauthorized personnel access.
Endpoint visibility is another key to this security method. It gives IT the ability to monitor endpoints and their software and services. That ensures that outdated or unauthorized software doesn’t become a potential entry point for threats.
Duo Zero-Trust for the Workforce
Duo’s zero-trust security model provides a variety of effective protections for cloud applications and remote work operations. The model focuses on establishing device trust, device visibility, adaptive policies, and secure app access.
for any business to implement Duo multi-factor authentication.
Together, these technologies maintain security without hindering workflow. Endpoint control allows for connections too specific apps to be blocked based on a variety of metrics. A centralized dashboard includes these features and allows for intuitive management of endpoints and user devices. Adaptive policies allow for more effective access policies, distributing permission based on roles and app-specific considerations. Duo’s model also allows for secure single sign-on that streamlines integration of cloud access.
Infinit Technology Solutions
The team at Infinit Technology Solutions develops advanced IT solutions that implement effective tools like Duo’s zero-trust model. We engineer effective security solutions for businesses of all sizes.
Learn more about zero-trust security by downloading our guide, Duo Zero Trust for the Workforce, or reach out to us today to discuss starting your Duo Free Trial.