Zero Standing Privilege & Zero Trust Network Access
The Pillars of Modern Identity Security
Zero Standing Privilege (ZSP) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) work together to create a holistic approach to Modern Identity Security, building on the overarching Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) principle of never trusting, always verifying.
ZSP & ZTNA are designed to address the inherent vulnerabilities of traditional privileged access management (PAM) systems.
They work in tandem to shift the focus from a presumed trust model to one based
on continuous verification, least privilege and just-in-time access.
Identity-Centric Approach
ZSP and ZTNA play complementary roles in modern identity security, both focus on securing identities rather than networks or devices. This is a critical shift in security thinking, recognizing that the perimeter is no longer the most reliable defense against cyberattacks. ZSP eliminates standing privileges, a major attack vector for cybercriminals. ZTNA verifies user and device identities and authorizes access to resources on a just-in-time basis.
Zero Standing Privileges Explained
Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) is a modern identity security approach. It’s a cost-effective and time-saving security essential that eliminates standing privileges and aligns with the principle of least privilege, granting users just-in-time access to the resources they need, when they need them. This considerably reduces the risk of data breaches, improves compliance and reduces operational overheads while improving cyber insurance eligibility.
ZSP Best Practices
For a successful ZSP implementation, the following best practices guarantee a seamless and secure execution: establish just-in-time access workflows, create granular access controls using attributes and roles and routinely rotate credentials for shared accounts. Additionally, implement continuous monitoring and auditing, enable multi-factor authentication, conduct regular security assessments and prioritize user education and awareness.
Just-in-Time Access
Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) champion just-in-time access, guaranteeing that users and devices gain access to resources precisely when necessary. ZTNA enforces just-in-time access by mandating authentication and authorization for every access attempt. ZSP solutions automate this workflow, where as earlier organizations had to create customized workflows to fit their unique requirements.
Continuous Monitoring
Both ZSP and ZTNA involve continuous monitoring of users and their activities. ZSP focuses on monitoring access permissions and privileges to ensure they remain time-bound, while ZTNA continually verifies the trustworthiness of entities trying to access network resources.
ZTNA and Zero Trust
ZTNA extends the least privilege principle to network access by authenticating and authorizing users and devices before granting access to network resources. ZTNA employs micro-segmentation to isolate network resources from each other and from the public internet. This makes it difficult for attackers to gain access to sensitive data and systems by preventing lateral movement within the network.
Risk Mitigation
ZSP and ZTNA enhance data security by thwarting unauthorized access. Together, they form an agile, proactive security framework that combats standing privileges, unauthorized entry and data breaches.
Reduction of Attack Surface
ZSP and ZTNA work together to reduce the attack surface. ZSP limits access to specific tasks and timeframes, reducing the exposure of sensitive resources. ZTNA, by continually verifying trustworthiness, further reduces the attack surface by ensuring that only legitimate entities gain access.
Reduced Costs & Improved Compliance
ZSP and ZTNA can help organizations comply with industry regulations, such as PCI DSS and HIPAA. ZSP and ZTNA can help organizations reduce costs by simplifying security operations and reducing the need for expensive security solutions.
