Taking cybersecurity very seriously is a given for aspiring businesses, but making the move towards a Zero Trust setup is a logical next step. Zero Trust security is an approach well-suited to the needs of SMBs, because it means that no one is trusted when trying to gain access to a company network.
It requires verification from anyone who wants to access a network, either internally or externally, and is a proven way of reducing the possibility of data breaches. Zero Trust is an IT security model that might sound like it’s being overzealous, but with threat from hackers higher than ever, it can be prudent to employ this approach. This is particularly so if your business has people needing to gain access to your networks from both internal and external sources.
Adopting a strategy
SMBs can build up their secure strategy by enlisting the Zero Trust approach, which in itself is based on the Zero Trust Network Access or ZTNA strategy. This technology allows IT departments to ensure that company networks are able to treat both internal and external users as threats, rather than taking the traditional 'castle and moat' approach.
Although this approach may sound a little ominous, it ultimately simplifies log-in procedures by requiring every user, via every device, to follow the same strict verification process. However, the Zero Trust will appear quite different to any SMB owners who have been more used to traditional IT network security.
Different strokes
Conventional IT networks often allow authorised users on the inside of a company network relatively easy access to systems via their own internal log-in procedures. While that might appear like its making life easier for employees, it also means that potential threats from attackers after they’ve gained access to an internal network can be much more significant.
This way of thinking has become even less appealing because many companies now have their data spread across a range of different applications and, often, it is held in different locations too, usually via the cloud. Making use of simple security log-ins across these complex network setups can make companies and their data highly vulnerable from attacks by cybercriminals.
Better security
Evolving network strategies like this have meant that IT departments within SMBs have had to raise the bar when it comes to security measures. By adopting a Zero Trust approach, SMBs are basically able to treat everyone as equal, and not trust them whether they’re attempting to gain entry from internal or external sources. Data breaches can be hugely costly, both in time and money, so the expense of enlisting a Zero Trust strategy can still be very cost effective for a company over time.
Unfortunately, for SMBs the patch to Zero Trust can still be a very problematical and costly path to take. Unlike large companies and corporations, which have the time, money and resources to implement a Zero Trust strategy, SMBs have less flexibility for adopting new systems like Identity and Access Management and Endpoint Management software.
Managing expectation
The good news for SMBs is that once Zero Trust is in place, it is much easier to manage staff movements. Since the Covid epidemic, the workspace landscape has changed irrevocably with a much more transient workforce and many SMBs adopting a more flexible or hybrid approach to employment. Zero Trust certainly allows much more efficient management of employees in this scenario.
For example, Zero Trust allows better control of employee privileges, both when someone joins a company and when they leave again. Zero Trust can help simplify the giving and retrieval of access to company networks while single-system platforms for HR and IT creates a much more seamless experience for people who have to administer these tasks. Being able to make real time adjustments across several systems can help cut down on time and make the process more efficient.
An affordable option?
So, despite the potentially complicated, time-consuming and cost aspect downsides, it’s easy to see the benefit of Zero Trust. Preparing to go in the Zero Trust direction is achievable though and much of the initial work begins by enlisting the help of existing employees and ensuring that they know the full value of being fully aware of the shared risk strategy. This is especially so as it is usual and employee or employees that are the targets of cybercriminals.
The next job is to carry out a step-by step analysis of every role within an SMB and decide on who needs access and why. Every business is different, so spending the time identifying your needs and requirements can certainly help simplify the process when it comes time to signing up for a Zero Trust approach.
Definite demand
Implementation is the next step once a SMB has decided on its requirements. The demand is certainly there, with the ZTNA market said to be worth more than $2 billion by next year. By choosing the right ZTNA solution, SMBs can benefit from reducing threats from malicious intrusion, hacking and data breaches. And, with the right solution in place, SMBs are able to benefit from a completely integrated cybersecurity solution that comes bristling with all the management tools they’ll ever need.
As you’d expect, the amount of budget allocated to the implementation of a Zero Trust structure will dictate just how many features and functions are available. The more that is spent will invariably mean a higher level of options, and flexibility. Higher-end software might be more complicated and time-consuming to set up and operate, but for any SMBs that need to cover as many bases as possible, the investment in time and money should soon justify itself.
