During the pandemic, many companies are changing the way they’re doing business. It’s easy to see why since so many individuals are working from home now. Not many companies can get away with avoiding the so-called hybrid model, which features some individuals working from a central location while others do their work from home.
The zero-trust security model is one that allows these companies to continue working and being productive, even as the pandemic continues. We’ll take a moment to talk about the zero-trust model in this article, and we’ll also go over why it’s a stress-free setup that many companies are embracing.
What Does the Zero-Trust Model Entail?
The zero-trust model works for so many companies because it’s relatively easy to implement. Once it’s in place, you can use it to log into a software suite from a remote location, and there is very little chance for fraudulent hacker activity.
Several elements make up the basic zero-trust model. Essentially, what we’re talking about are multiple security measures that make up a functioning, holistic approach.
The first one addresses login concerns. There are security measures in place that verify a user’s identity, even if they’re located halfway across the world.
Trusted devices are the second part of the zero-trust model. There are features in place which verify that only previously authorized devices can access the network, so no unrecognized ones can log in.
Finally, trusted network authorization comes into play. There are measures as part of the zero-trust model that secure the network path. By doing so, the company can feel confident that only trusted individuals are accessing potentially sensitive data.
Least Privileged Access
In addition to the three elements we mentioned that make up the zero-trust model’s basic approach, very specific authorization policies also exist. Basically, they make sure only someone who meets all the established criteria can see anything traveling through this encrypted network.
When you log into a bespoke software suite from a remote location and you get past all the security protocols the zero-trust model establishes, you can see what messages your coworkers are leaving for you. You can leave messages of your own, and you can check up on how projects are doing.
However, you can only access project data or information pertaining to your specific assignments. A hierarchy still exists within the company so that only the top-level bosses can see virtually everything, while those who are further down the totem pole, so to speak, can only access data relevant to their work.
This makes sense since only top-level executives should have virtually unlimited access. The zero-trust model works well because it not only keeps anyone unauthorized out. It also lets you only access what pertains directly to your work. You have security measures both within the company and outside of it.
Why The Zero-Trust Model Means Less Stress for Businesses
The business world isn’t exactly an easy place to operate. Regardless of what your company does or the products or services you offer, there are almost always going to be competitors who want to gain ground on you, or you want to catch up to what they’re doing. No industry giant, like Facebook or Amazon, gets to where they are without stepping over many other entities that offer similar functionality.
During the pandemic, the stress level that business owners and operators face is at an all-time high. They want to remain competitive, but that sometimes takes a backseat to simply staying open. They might have employees who refuse to come into brick-and-mortar locations anymore, which has already caused some companies to shutter permanently.
Only companies that have embraced the hybrid model are likely to thrive right now. The more rigid ones have either closed or are swiftly falling behind.
The zero-trust model is one that accepts and even promotes hybrid work. If you’re a company owner, and you know that you have employees who will still dedicate themselves to your goals from their own bedrooms and living rooms, that’s sure to ease your fears as you try to navigate this rapidly changing world.
The Zero-Trust Model’s Future
The zero-trust model has caught on during the past few months, and it looks like it’s probably here to stay. Everyone is devising their own version, but that can consume time and resources you might not have.
That’s why some companies are coming up with versions of the zero-trust model as software as a service. You might have heard of this already. It’s an option where you rent software instead of buying it.
The reason software as a service works so well is that you have a company that runs the software and does all the necessary updating that goes along with it. SaaS is a nice change of pace because you don’t need to have your whole IT department constantly adjusting and upgrading your existing software. The rental company does that for you.
In the future, there will likely be two groups of companies and individuals who use the zero-trust model. The first group will create their own zero-trust setup that they’ll have to maintain themselves. This might work for you, but you’ll need to pay the IT staff to keep the whole system running.
The other group will use the SaaS model and rent software with the zero-trust model in mind. They will have the increased security measures that are a huge part of this initiative, and they won’t have to dump all the money into their IT department.
There’s no wrong or right way to conduct yourself if you choose to embrace the zero-trust model. You might create your own system, or you can just as easily have a company set one up for you.
Either way, the point is that you’ll have a setup that you can trust not to let anyone in who should not be there. At a time when cyberattacks happen frequently, this sounds like good news for all companies and niches.
