By the end of 2021, 51% of all knowledge workers worldwide were expected to be working remotely, according to a forecast by Gartner, Inc. It’s a big jump up from 27% of knowledge workers in 2019. With all this personnel reshuffling, how do you ensure your remote workforce security is up to par? Improve and upgrade your digital security with Zero Trust.
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Start with Zero Trust
When was the last time your company or organization updated the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to include remote and hybrid work? The SOC team (security operations center) relies on clear guidelines to ensure everyone is on the same page. It all begins with Zero Trust.
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What is Zero Trust? Although it sounds ominous, Zero Trust is an IT security framework designed to provide secure access to authorized users no matter if they are working from home or in the office. The validation process is ongoing, ensuring users are authorized before receiving clearance to access applications or data.
Spanning across a variety of verticals, Zero Trust is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Instead, it considers the individual security needs of a company, while factoring in the devices, network, application, automation, users and data. From local networks to the cloud, Zero Trust includes it all.
Zero Trust Security Advantages
The goal of all security is to prevent data breaches. Not only do such breaches erode customer confidence, but it costs companies big money. Zero Trust helps to ensure such breaches won’t occur in the first place by placing roadblocks in front of would-be internet thieves.
After identifying a company’s digital assets, Zero Trust looks to the users. Who should receive access to the data? Once a device or user is cleared, access is granted. Taking “The X-Files” to heart, a Zero Trust framework trusts no one and verifies everything.
Zero Trust Flexibility
Unlike the traditional security approaches of IT staff manually updating systems and encouraging remote workers to keep passwords updated, cloud-based Zero Trust provides up-to-the minute seamless updates. It reduces the risk of human error, keeping businesses armed and ready in the defense against online hackers and malicious threats.
A cloud-based Zero Trust framework reduces staffing load, relying on automated systems to determine authorization and providing red flags to staff as they occur for further consideration. An IT team is then free to move to other projects and improvements, relieved of the burden of constant monitoring. Others opt for a cloud service provider like World Wide Technology to navigate next steps.
Utilizing Zero Trust
Devices, users and even location are no longer factors for admittance. In this framework, every request for resources is deemed malicious, until a user can prove otherwise. It takes the attitude that all devices and even infrastructure are compromised and that each access request is a potential risk in disguise.
Above all, Zero Trust puts security first. Segmenting data and users, and isolating network virtualization is only the beginning. Human error prevention, such as unchanged passwords for extended periods, and a consistent user experience increase overall user satisfaction.
Revamp Digital Security
With so much of the workforce working from home, security measures have to change. Improve digital security with your remote workforce by taking advantage of the Zero Trust framework. Turn to a cloud-based Zero Trust framework for a resilient solution with flexible options to fit any company.
