What is Zero Trust?
Zero Trust is not a single technology or product, but an approach to cyber security. It is based on the idea that threats can come from both outside and inside the network, so no user or device should be trusted automatically. Instead, every access request must be rigorously authenticated and authorised, no matter where it comes from.
The core principles of Zero Trust
- Verify explicitly: Every access request must be authenticated and authorised based on all available data points, such as user identity, location, device health, service or workload, data classification, and anomalies. This principle ensures only legitimate requests are granted access to resources.
- Least privileged access: Access rights should be granted based on the principle of least privilege, meaning users and devices are given the minimum level of access necessary to perform their tasks. This approach minimises the potential attack surface and reduces the risk of lateral movement within the network.
- Assume breach: Zero Trust operates under the assumption that breaches are inevitable. Therefore, it focuses on minimising the impact of any potential breach by segmenting the network and applying rigorous controls to limit an attacker’s ability to move laterally. Continuous monitoring and analysis are essential to detect and respond to threats swiftly.
From networking to total security: the broader Zero Trust strategy
While networking solutions like private endpoints and VNet injection are foundational components of Zero Trust, the framework extends far beyond network configurations. To build a truly robust Zero Trust posture, integrating additional Azure tools and principles is crucial. Find below how various Azure solutions enhance a thorough Zero Trust strategy.
Azure solution: Azure Key Vault
Azure Key Vault is designed to securely manage secrets, keys, and certificates. It centralises the storage and management of sensitive information, ensuring that access to secrets is controlled and audited. This aligns with the Zero Trust principle of verifying access to critical resources by ensuring that only authorised entities can access secrets and keys.
Azure solution: Encryption
Encryption is fundamental to protecting data at rest and in transit. It ensures that even if data is intercepted or accessed without proper authorisation, it remains protected. Encryption supports the Zero Trust principle of "least privileged access" by securing data from unauthorised access and ensuring that only those with the correct permissions can decrypt and use the information.
Azure solution: Azure policy
Azure Policy helps enforce organisational standards and compliance requirements by applying policies to resources. This ensures that resources are configured according to security best practices. By maintaining consistent security controls across the environment, Azure Policy supports Zero Trust by ensuring that all resources adhere to established security and compliance standards.
Azure solution: Microsoft Defender for cloud
Microsoft Defender for Cloud provides advanced threat protection and security posture management for Azure and hybrid environments. It continuously assesses security configurations, provides recommendations, and detects potential threats. This supports the Zero Trust principle of continuous monitoring and risk assessment by ensuring that security configurations are regularly reviewed and updated to address vulnerabilities and threats.
Azure solution: Azure Sentinel
Azure Sentinel is a cloud-native Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solution that offers intelligent security analytics and threat intelligence. It helps organisations detect, investigate, and respond to threats across their enterprise. By providing comprehensive visibility and enabling rapid incident response, Azure Sentinel supports Zero Trust by using advanced analytics and AI to identify and address potential threats in real-time.
Zero Trust and its impact on software development
In modern software development, Zero Trust principles change how we handle access and security. Managed identities in Azure remove the need for hard-coded credentials by securely managing authentication for applications and services. Using Azure Key Vault for key rotation ensures that secrets stay secure and current. Service principals are still useful, but managed identities provide better security and less management work. By following Zero Trust, developers ensure every part of their software is constantly verified and given only the permissions it needs.
Closing thoughts
The Zero Trust model changes cyber security by enforcing continuous verification and least privileged access. It goes beyond just network security by using Azure tools like Key Vault, encryption, and Sentinel to thoroughly secure and monitor systems. In software development, Zero Trust improves security with managed identities, secure key management, and less reliance on service principals, ensuring continuous protection. Using this approach will help you improve your security.
