Multigenerational diversity provides a landscape for varied backgrounds, experiences, and values, which, if creatively embraced, will lead to rich discussions and multifaceted approaches for accomplishing goals. Managing a varied workforce also presents people-based challenges, including accommodating preferences for work approaches, communication styles, and interpersonal clashes. Additionally, ethical considerations exist around overcoming biases and stereotypical attitudes toward different age groups in the workforce that need to be addressed and overcome with internal controls, education, and empathy. In this piece, we will explore the considerations of working with multi-generational teams.

Elizabeth Kittner

I have had the privilege of working with people decades older than me in most of my organizational roles and some volunteer ones, too. I have also shouldered the responsibility of serving in people operations where I have advocated for the importance of keeping older generations in the employee pool. Several of my past colleagues have been close to retirement while also expressing they feel the most disposable based on their age or pay. It is important to work with people regarding their retirement goals and help bridge a transition plan for them. Working with people to reach their goals helps them feel valued and creates a positive working environment.

I also have advocated for younger generations to have a seat at the table to solicit their input, observe how meetings are run, and analyze how decisions are made. Involving younger team members early will help them feel valued and better prepared for higher responsibility within the organization.

Let’s also think about the challenges some of our mid-career workers encounter, such as time needed for childcare and elder care. Many people, especially women, leave the workforce in their 40s and 50s when faced with some of the flexibility needed in their schedules. As an employer, you can talk to each person to understand their needs and determine a plan that will work to help retain them.

One of the most significant benefits I have experienced in multigenerational workforces is the skills diversity it brings. There is an opportunity for older generations and younger generations to share their knowledge with each other. We can learn from each person in our workforce, and creating the opportunities to listen and learn are valuable for the organization. Likewise, a multigenerational workforce is poised to better support and connect with a multigenerational customer base. The organization will be more relatable to more people and be able to communicate better and with more depth of understanding.

Regardless of where someone is in their career and lifetime, they will have goals and requests for their careers and schedules. Practicing empathy and supporting people uniquely for where they are will lead to more engaged individuals, teams, and customers.

Gill Reindl

In my varied career, I have worked with many aspirational young graduates looking to take their first step on the career ladder, as well as with middle and more senior leaders seeking to enhance their professional skills. I have also traveled through these life stages myself, allowing me to draw on these experiences and head towards the “traditional” retirement end of the ladder. As such, I feel ever more passionate about this topic.

Business is fast-paced, and change is continuous. Organizations increasingly need to innovate, to become more agile to embrace opportunity and bring on board creative, adaptable, and resilient individuals to help them in this endeavor. Innovation comes in many forms, and in this instance, we are looking towards innovative hiring strategies. How to shape the organization differently, mixing contractors with employees, creating part roles, working with multigenerational teams, and bravely looking outside traditional structures and boxes. Portfolio careers are becoming a new norm, and fractional, multigenerational talent pools can benefit both organizations and individuals, bringing diversity in the form of new ideas and experiences.

Gen-Z are broadly known to be values-led and seek meaningful roles where they can contribute to a bigger picture, beyond feeling like an anonymous cog in a big wheel. They often bring passion, energy, and new ideas, and I concur with Elizabeth’s sentiment that building a culture that includes and supports younger team members in organizational decision making will engage them, retain them, and better prepare them for their future.

Contractors are generally juggling several independent projects and work streams. Therefore, hiring and working with them is more akin to a B2B relationship than that of a traditional employee. Taking account of this different form of relationship and adopting a flatter matrix-like project reporting structure can challenge commonly adopted hierarchical leadership and management styles and offers opportunity for a more modern shared and leadership approach. There is a role for leadership development that embraces and evolves new styles and possibilities.

People are living longer and can and often wish to engage productively for longer and healthy economies will need them to do so. Organizations surprisingly still struggle to engage and work effectively with this mature talent pool who still have a passion for work, yet often seek greater flexibility and control of their own destiny; flat out and wrung out in the desire to climb the greasy pole, generally holds less appeal during this life stage. This does not mean hard won skills and wisdom cannot add value to organizations and to those on the upwards trajectory, just that organizations must consider how to shape opportunities to take advantage of the skills on offer. There are now many initiatives evolving that aim to re-engage the mature workforce, some great part time roles, project work and job share schemes amongst others, yet employers often underutilize the contractor route as a more flexible option to deliver projects and mentor developing talent.

At GigaOm, several of our experienced practitioner analysts are more mature and as a result they have built years of technical expertise, often deployed in senior leadership roles within the sector. This rounded knowledge and wisdom is invaluable to our business and our clients.

It is an exciting time to start thinking seriously and innovatively about the opportunities and possibilities multigenerational talent can offer and how to gain best value from such a team.

How to Get Involved with GigaOm

We’re always looking for more people to join our great team, so if you’d like to work for GigaOm, take a look at the current job listings on our careers page.

About the Authors

Gill Reindl
An organizational development consultant with 35 years’ experience gained across a variety of commercial sectors including senior leadership roles in UK higher education. An experienced researcher and project manager in areas of organizational culture, leadership development, the future of education and work. Gill has worked on several projects with GigaOm.

Elizabeth Kittner
A finance and accounting guru with a technology focus who has a passion for elevating individuals and building healthy cultures in the organizations she serves. Elizabeth is a member of GigaOm’s executive team and oversees finance and people operations. She is also an author and speaker in the areas of ethics, communication, and leadership.

The post Multigenerational Diversity appeared first on Gigaom.

In this post, we’ll summarize the key insights and best practices covered throughout the series and provide guidance on how to get started with your own zero trust implementation. We’ll also discuss some of the common challenges and pitfalls to avoid, and provide resources for further learning and exploration.

Key Insights and Best Practices for Zero Trust

Here are some of the key insights and best practices covered throughout this series:

1. Zero trust is a mindset, not a product: Zero trust is not a single technology or solution, but a comprehensive approach to security that assumes no implicit trust and continuously verifies every access request.
2. Data security is the foundation: Protecting sensitive data is the primary objective of zero trust, and requires a combination of data discovery, classification, encryption, and access controls.
3. Identity is the new perimeter: In a zero trust model, identity becomes the primary control point for access, and requires strong authentication, authorization, and continuous monitoring.
4. Network segmentation is critical: Segmenting networks into smaller, isolated zones based on data sensitivity and user roles is essential for reducing the attack surface and limiting lateral movement.
5. Device security is a shared responsibility: Securing endpoints and IoT devices requires a collaborative effort between IT, security, and end-users, and involves a combination of device management, authentication, and monitoring.
6. Applications must be secure by design: Securing modern application architectures requires a shift-left approach that integrates security into the development lifecycle, and leverages techniques such as secure coding, runtime protection, and API security.
7. Monitoring and analytics are the eyes and ears: Continuous monitoring and analysis of all user, device, and application activity is essential for detecting and responding to threats in real-time.
8. Automation and orchestration are the backbone: Automating and orchestrating security processes and policies is critical for ensuring consistent, scalable, and efficient security operations.
9. Governance and compliance are business imperatives: Aligning zero trust initiatives with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and business objectives is essential for managing risk and ensuring accountability.

By keeping these insights and best practices in mind, organizations can build a more comprehensive, effective, and business-aligned zero trust architecture.

Getting Started with Your Zero Trust Journey

Implementing zero trust is not a one-time project, but an ongoing journey that requires careful planning, execution, and continuous improvement. Here are some steps to get started:

1. Assess your current security posture: Conduct a thorough assessment of your current security posture, including your network architecture, data flows, user roles, and security controls. Identify gaps and prioritize areas for improvement based on risk and business impact.
2. Define your zero trust strategy: Based on your assessment, define a clear and comprehensive zero trust strategy that aligns with your business objectives and risk appetite. Identify the key initiatives, milestones, and metrics for success, and secure buy-in from stakeholders across the organization.
3. Implement in phases: Start with small, targeted initiatives that can demonstrate quick wins and build momentum for larger-scale implementation. Focus on high-priority use cases and data assets first, and gradually expand to other areas of the environment.
4. Leverage existing investments: Wherever possible, leverage your existing security investments and tools, such as identity and access management, network segmentation, and endpoint protection. Integrate these tools into your zero trust architecture and automate and orchestrate processes where possible.
5. Foster a culture of zero trust: Educate and engage employees, partners, and customers on the principles and benefits of zero trust, and foster a culture of shared responsibility and accountability for security.
6. Continuously monitor and improve: Continuously monitor and measure the effectiveness of your zero trust controls and processes, using metrics such as risk reduction, incident response time, and user satisfaction. Use these insights to continuously improve and optimize your zero trust architecture over time.

By following these steps and leveraging the best practices and strategies covered throughout this series, organizations can build a more secure, resilient, and business-aligned zero trust architecture that can keep pace with the ever-evolving threat landscape.

Common Challenges and Pitfalls to Avoid

While zero trust offers many benefits, it also presents some common challenges and pitfalls that organizations should be aware of and avoid:

1. Lack of clear strategy and objectives: Without a clear and comprehensive strategy that aligns with business objectives and risk appetite, zero trust initiatives can quickly become fragmented, inconsistent, and ineffective.
2. Overreliance on technology: While technology is a critical enabler of zero trust, it is not a silver bullet. Organizations must also focus on people, processes, and policies to build a truly comprehensive and effective zero trust architecture.
3. Inadequate visibility and control: Without comprehensive visibility and control over all user, device, and application activity, organizations can struggle to detect and respond to threats in a timely and effective manner.
4. Complexity and scalability: As zero trust initiatives expand and mature, they can quickly become complex and difficult to manage at scale. Organizations must invest in automation, orchestration, and centralized management to ensure consistent and efficient security operations.
5. Resistance to change: Zero trust represents a significant shift from traditional perimeter-based security models, and can face resistance from users, developers, and business stakeholders. Organizations must invest in education, communication, and change management to foster a culture of zero trust and secure buy-in from all stakeholders.

By being aware of these common challenges and pitfalls and taking proactive steps to avoid them, organizations can build a more successful and sustainable zero trust architecture.

Conclusion

Zero trust is not a destination, but a journey. By adopting a mindset of continuous verification and improvement, and leveraging the best practices and strategies covered throughout this series, organizations can build a more secure, resilient, and business-aligned security posture that can keep pace with the ever-evolving threat landscape.

However, achieving zero trust is not easy, and requires a significant investment in people, processes, and technology. Organizations must be prepared to face challenges and setbacks along the way, and to continuously learn and adapt based on new insights and experiences.

As you embark on your own zero trust journey, remember that you are not alone. There is a growing community of practitioners, vendors, and thought leaders who are passionate about zero trust and are willing to share their knowledge and experiences. Leverage these resources, and never stop learning and improving.

We hope that this series has been informative and valuable, and has provided you with a solid foundation for building your own zero trust architecture. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we wish you all the best in your zero trust endeavors!

Additional Resources:

• Zero Trust Adoption Report (ID Experts)
• Zero Trust Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide (Gigamon)
• Zero Trust Security: A CIO’s Guide to Defending Their Business (Akamai)

The post Putting It All Together: Getting Started with Your Zero Trust Journey appeared first on Gigaom.

In a zero trust model, security is not just a technical concern, but a business imperative. With the increasing complexity and interconnectedness of modern IT environments, organizations must ensure that their zero trust initiatives are aligned with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and business objectives.

In this post, we’ll explore the role of governance and compliance in a zero trust model, discuss the key frameworks and standards involved, and share best practices for building a comprehensive governance and compliance strategy.

The Role of Governance and Compliance in Zero Trust

In a traditional perimeter-based security model, governance and compliance often focus on meeting specific regulatory requirements and industry standards, such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or ISO 27001. However, in a zero trust model, governance and compliance must be more holistic and integrated, ensuring that security controls are consistently applied across the entire environment and aligned with business objectives.

Governance and compliance play a critical role in enabling zero trust by:

1. Ensuring consistency and accountability: Establishing clear policies, procedures, and roles and responsibilities for zero trust initiatives, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned and accountable.
2. Aligning with regulatory requirements: Ensuring that zero trust controls and processes are aligned with relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards, such as GDPR, CCPA, or NIST 800-207.
3. Enabling risk management: Providing a framework for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with zero trust initiatives, ensuring that security controls are prioritized based on business impact.
4. Facilitating continuous improvement: Establishing metrics, benchmarks, and feedback loops for measuring the effectiveness of zero trust controls and driving continuous improvement.

By applying these principles, organizations can create a more holistic, integrated, and business-aligned approach to zero trust that can meet the demands of modern compliance and risk management.

Key Frameworks and Standards for Zero Trust Governance and Compliance

To build a comprehensive governance and compliance strategy for zero trust, organizations must align with relevant frameworks and standards, including:

1. NIST SP 800-207: A comprehensive framework for designing and implementing zero trust architectures, including guidance on governance, risk management, and compliance.
2. Cybersecurity Framework (CSF): A framework for managing and reducing cybersecurity risk, including guidance on governance, risk assessment, and continuous improvement.
3. ISO 27001: An international standard for information security management systems (ISMS), including requirements for governance, risk management, and compliance.
4. GDPR and CCPA: Regulations for protecting personal data and ensuring privacy rights, including requirements for data protection, consent management, and breach notification.
5. PCI-DSS: A standard for securing payment card data, including requirements for access control, network segmentation, and monitoring.

By aligning with these frameworks and standards, organizations can ensure that their zero trust initiatives are consistent, compliant, and effective in managing risk and meeting business objectives.

Best Practices for Zero Trust Governance and Compliance

Implementing a zero trust approach to governance and compliance requires a comprehensive, multi-layered strategy. Here are some best practices to consider:

1. Establish a governance framework: Establish a clear governance framework for zero trust initiatives, including policies, procedures, roles and responsibilities, and metrics for success. Ensure that the framework is aligned with relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards.
2. Conduct regular risk assessments: Conduct regular risk assessments to identify and prioritize risks associated with zero trust initiatives, including technical, operational, and compliance risks. Use these assessments to inform the design and implementation of zero trust controls.
3. Implement continuous monitoring and auditing: Implement continuous monitoring and auditing of zero trust controls and processes, using tools such as SIEM, IDS/IPS, and vulnerability scanners. Ensure that monitoring and auditing are aligned with relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards.
4. Establish clear incident response and reporting procedures: Establish clear incident response and reporting procedures for zero trust initiatives, including roles and responsibilities, communication channels, and escalation paths. Ensure that procedures are aligned with relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards.
5. Foster a culture of compliance and accountability: Foster a culture of compliance and accountability across the organization, through regular training, awareness campaigns, and clear communication of policies and procedures. Ensure that all stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities in maintaining a zero trust posture.
6. Continuously improve and adapt: Continuously measure and improve the effectiveness of zero trust controls and processes, using metrics, benchmarks, and feedback loops. Adapt governance and compliance strategies based on changing business requirements, risk landscapes, and regulatory environments.

By implementing these best practices and continuously refining your governance and compliance posture, you can ensure that your zero trust initiatives are consistent, compliant, and effective in managing risk and meeting business objectives.

Conclusion

In a zero trust world, governance and compliance are essential for aligning security with business objectives and ensuring consistent, effective risk management. By establishing clear policies, procedures, and roles and responsibilities, conducting regular risk assessments, and fostering a culture of compliance and accountability, organizations can build a more holistic, integrated, and business-aligned approach to zero trust.

However, achieving effective governance and compliance in a zero trust model requires a commitment to aligning with relevant frameworks and standards, implementing continuous monitoring and auditing, and continuously improving and adapting based on changing business requirements and risk landscapes.

As you continue your zero trust journey, make governance and compliance a top priority. Invest in the tools, processes, and skills necessary to build a comprehensive governance and compliance strategy, and regularly assess and refine your approach to keep pace with evolving regulatory requirements and industry standards.

In the final post of this series, we’ll summarize the key insights and best practices covered throughout the series and provide guidance on how to get started with your own zero trust implementation.

Until then, stay compliant and keep governing!

Additional Resources:

• Zero Trust Architecture: Aligning Business Objectives with Reality (SecurityIntelligence)
• Achieving Compliance with Zero Trust (Dark Reading)
• Zero Trust Governance: Empower Your Organization to Securely Work from Anywhere (Okta)

The post Governance and Compliance: Aligning Zero Trust with Business Requirements appeared first on Gigaom.

In a zero trust model, security must be dynamic, adaptive, and continuous. With no implicit trust granted to any user, device, or application, organizations must be able to quickly and consistently enforce security policies, detect and respond to threats, and maintain a robust security posture across a complex, ever-changing environment.

In this post, we’ll explore the role of automation and orchestration in a zero trust model, discuss the key technologies and processes involved, and share best practices for building a comprehensive automation and orchestration strategy.

The Role of Automation and Orchestration in Zero Trust

In a traditional perimeter-based security model, security processes are often manual, reactive, and siloed. Security teams must manually configure and enforce policies, investigate and respond to alerts, and coordinate across multiple tools and teams to remediate incidents.

However, in a zero trust model, this approach is no longer sufficient. With the attack surface expanding and the threat landscape evolving at an unprecedented pace, organizations must be able to automate and orchestrate security processes across the entire environment, from identity and access management to network segmentation and incident response.

Automation and orchestration play a critical role in enabling zero trust by:

1. Enforcing consistent policies: Automating the configuration and enforcement of security policies across the environment, ensuring that all users, devices, and applications are subject to the same rules and controls.
2. Accelerating threat detection and response: Orchestrating the collection, analysis, and correlation of security data from multiple sources, enabling faster detection and response to potential threats.
3. Reducing human error and inconsistency: Minimizing the risk of human error and inconsistency by automating repetitive, manual tasks and ensuring that policies and processes are applied consistently across the environment.
4. Enabling continuous monitoring and optimization: Continuously monitoring the environment for changes and anomalies, and automatically adapting policies and controls based on new information and insights.

By applying these principles, organizations can create a more agile, adaptive, and efficient security posture that can keep pace with the demands of a zero trust model.

Key Technologies and Processes for Zero Trust Automation and Orchestration

To build a comprehensive automation and orchestration strategy for zero trust, organizations must leverage a range of technologies and processes, including:

1. Security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR): Platforms that enable the automation and orchestration of security processes across multiple tools and systems, such as incident response, threat hunting, and vulnerability management.
2. Infrastructure as code (IaC): Tools and practices that enable the automated provisioning, configuration, and management of infrastructure using code, such as Terraform, Ansible, and CloudFormation.
3. Continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD): Processes and tools that enable the automated building, testing, and deployment of applications and infrastructure, such as Jenkins, GitLab, and Azure DevOps.
4. Policy as code: Practices and tools that enable the definition and enforcement of security policies using code, such as Open Policy Agent (OPA) and HashiCorp Sentinel.
5. Robotic process automation (RPA): Tools that enable the automation of repetitive, manual tasks across multiple systems and applications, such as UiPath and Automation Anywhere.

By leveraging these technologies and processes, organizations can build a comprehensive, automated, and orchestrated approach to zero trust that can adapt to changing business requirements and threat landscapes.

Best Practices for Zero Trust Automation and Orchestration

Implementing a zero trust approach to automation and orchestration requires a comprehensive, multi-layered strategy. Here are some best practices to consider:

1. Identify and prioritize use cases: Identify the key security processes and use cases that can benefit from automation and orchestration, and prioritize them based on their impact and feasibility. Focus on high-value, high-volume processes first, such as incident response and policy enforcement.
2. Establish a centralized automation platform: Implement a centralized platform, such as a SOAR or IaC tool, to manage and orchestrate automated processes across the environment. Ensure that the platform can integrate with existing tools and systems and can scale to meet the needs of the organization.
3. Implement policy as code: Define and enforce security policies using code, leveraging tools such as OPA and Sentinel. Ensure that policies are version-controlled, tested, and continuously updated based on new requirements and insights.
4. Automate testing and validation: Automate the testing and validation of security controls and policies, leveraging tools such as Terraform Sentinel and Inspec. Ensure that tests are run continuously and that results are used to drive improvements and optimizations.
5. Monitor and measure effectiveness: Continuously monitor and measure the effectiveness of automated processes and orchestrations, using metrics such as mean time to detect (MTTD), mean time to respond (MTTR), and false positive rates. Use these insights to continuously improve and optimize processes and policies.
6. Foster collaboration and communication: Foster collaboration and communication between security, operations, and development teams, leveraging tools such as ChatOps and collaboration platforms. Ensure that all teams are aligned on the goals and processes of automation and orchestration and that feedback and insights are continuously shared and acted upon.

By implementing these best practices and continuously refining your automation and orchestration posture, you can build a more agile, adaptive, and efficient approach to zero trust that can keep pace with the demands of the modern threat landscape.

Conclusion

In a zero trust world, automation and orchestration are the backbone of the security organization. By automating and orchestrating key security processes and policies, organizations can enforce consistent controls, accelerate threat detection and response, reduce human error and inconsistency, and enable continuous monitoring and optimization.

However, achieving effective automation and orchestration in a zero trust model requires a commitment to leveraging the right technologies and processes, fostering collaboration and communication between teams, and continuously monitoring and optimizing effectiveness. It also requires a shift in mindset, from a reactive, manual approach to a proactive, automated approach that can adapt to changing business requirements and threat landscapes.

As you continue your zero trust journey, make automation and orchestration a top priority. Invest in the tools, processes, and skills necessary to build a comprehensive automation and orchestration strategy, and regularly assess and refine your approach to keep pace with evolving threats and business needs.

In the next post, we’ll explore the role of governance and compliance in a zero trust model and share best practices for aligning zero trust initiatives with regulatory requirements and industry standards.

Until then, stay vigilant and keep automating!

Additional Resources:

• NIST Special Publication 800-207: Zero Trust Architecture
• The Role of Automation in Zero Trust Security (SecurityWeek)
• Accelerating Zero Trust Adoption with Intelligent Automation (Palo Alto Networks)

The post Automation and Orchestration: The Backbone of Zero Trust appeared first on Gigaom.

In a zero trust model, visibility is everything. With no implicit trust granted to any user, device, or application, organizations must continuously monitor and analyze all activity across their environment to detect and respond to potential threats in real-time.

In this post, we’ll explore the role of monitoring and analytics in a zero trust model, discuss the key data sources and technologies involved, and share best practices for building a comprehensive monitoring and analytics strategy.

The Role of Monitoring and Analytics in Zero Trust

In a traditional perimeter-based security model, monitoring and analytics often focus on detecting threats at the network boundary. However, in a zero trust model, the perimeter is everywhere, and threats can come from any user, device, or application, both inside and outside the organization.

To mitigate these risks, zero trust requires organizations to take a comprehensive, data-driven approach to monitoring and analytics. This involves:

1. Continuous monitoring: Collecting and analyzing data from all relevant sources, including users, devices, applications, and infrastructure, in real-time.
2. Behavioral analytics: Using machine learning and other advanced analytics techniques to identify anomalous or suspicious behavior that may indicate a potential threat.
3. Automated response: Leveraging automation and orchestration tools to quickly investigate and remediate potential threats, minimizing the impact of security incidents.
4. Continuous improvement: Using insights from monitoring and analytics to continuously refine and optimize security policies, controls, and processes.

By applying these principles, organizations can create a more proactive, adaptive security posture that can detect and respond to threats faster and more effectively than traditional approaches.

Key Data Sources and Technologies for Zero Trust Monitoring and Analytics

To build a comprehensive monitoring and analytics strategy for zero trust, organizations must collect and analyze data from a wide range of sources, including:

1. Identity and access management (IAM) systems: Data on user identities, roles, and permissions, as well as authentication and authorization events.
2. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools: Data on device health, configuration, and activity, as well as potential threats and vulnerabilities.
3. Network security tools: Data on network traffic, including flow logs, packet captures, and intrusion detection and prevention system (IDPS) events.
4. Application performance monitoring (APM) tools: Data on application performance, errors, and potential security issues, such as injection attacks or data exfiltration attempts.
5. Cloud security posture management (CSPM) tools: Data on cloud resource configurations, compliance with security policies, and potential misconfigurations or vulnerabilities.

To collect, process, and analyze this data, organizations can leverage a range of technologies, including:

1. Security information and event management (SIEM) platforms: Centralized platforms for collecting, normalizing, and analyzing security event data from multiple sources.
2. User and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) tools: Advanced analytics tools that use machine learning to identify anomalous or suspicious behavior by users, devices, and applications.
3. Security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) platforms: Tools that automate and orchestrate security processes, such as incident response and remediation, based on predefined playbooks and workflows.
4. Big data platforms: Scalable platforms for storing, processing, and analyzing large volumes of structured and unstructured security data, such as Hadoop, Spark, and Elasticsearch.

By leveraging these data sources and technologies, organizations can build a comprehensive, data-driven monitoring and analytics strategy that can detect and respond to threats in real-time.

Best Practices for Zero Trust Monitoring and Analytics

Implementing a zero trust approach to monitoring and analytics requires a comprehensive, multi-layered strategy. Here are some best practices to consider:

1. Identify and prioritize data sources: Identify all relevant data sources across your environment, and prioritize them based on their level of risk and criticality. Focus on collecting data from high-risk sources first, such as IAM systems, EDR tools, and critical applications.
2. Establish a centralized logging and monitoring platform: Implement a centralized platform, such as a SIEM or big data platform, to collect, normalize, and analyze security event data from multiple sources. Ensure that the platform can scale to handle the volume and variety of data generated by a zero trust environment.
3. Implement behavioral analytics: Leverage UEBA tools and machine learning algorithms to identify anomalous or suspicious behavior by users, devices, and applications. Focus on detecting behavior that deviates from established baselines or patterns, such as unusual login attempts, data access patterns, or network traffic.
4. Automate incident response and remediation: Implement SOAR tools and automated playbooks to quickly investigate and remediate potential threats. Ensure that playbooks are aligned with zero trust principles, such as least privilege access and continuous verification.
5. Continuously monitor and refine policies and controls: Use insights from monitoring and analytics to continuously refine and optimize security policies, controls, and processes. Regularly review and update policies based on changes in the threat landscape, business requirements, and user behavior.
6. Foster a culture of continuous improvement: Encourage a culture of continuous learning and improvement across the organization. Regularly share insights and lessons learned from monitoring and analytics with stakeholders, and use them to drive ongoing enhancements to the zero trust strategy.

By implementing these best practices and continuously refining your monitoring and analytics posture, you can better protect your organization’s assets and data from the risks posed by evolving threats and changing business requirements.

Conclusion

In a zero trust world, monitoring and analytics are the eyes and ears of the security organization. By continuously collecting and analyzing data from all relevant sources, organizations can detect and respond to potential threats faster and more effectively than ever before.

However, achieving effective monitoring and analytics in a zero trust model requires a commitment to leveraging the right data sources and technologies, implementing behavioral analytics and automation, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. It also requires a shift in mindset, from a reactive, perimeter-based approach to a proactive, data-driven approach that assumes no implicit trust.

As you continue your zero trust journey, make monitoring and analytics a top priority. Invest in the tools, processes, and skills necessary to build a comprehensive monitoring and analytics strategy, and regularly assess and refine your approach to keep pace with evolving threats and business needs.

In the next post, we’ll explore the role of automation and orchestration in a zero trust model and share best practices for using these technologies to streamline security processes and accelerate incident response.

Until then, stay vigilant and keep your eyes and ears open!

Additional Resources:

• NIST Special Publication 800-53: Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations
• Zero Trust Analytics: Why You Need It and How to Get Started (Dark Reading)
• Implementing a Zero Trust Security Model with Splunk (Splunk)

The post Monitoring and Analytics: The Eyes and Ears of Zero Trust appeared first on Gigaom.

The Critical Role of AI in Cybersecurity

Consider the overwhelming flood of data that cybersecurity analysts face daily. Information pours in from numerous sources, systems, and Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs). The sheer volume and complexity can paralyze even the most skilled teams. This is where AI comes into play, acting as a sophisticated filter that consolidates, connects, and summarizes vast amounts of data. It not only identifies patterns and anomalies but also provides actionable insights tailored to specific environments.
For example, AI can transform the tedious task of CVE analysis by summarizing essential details and highlighting critical areas that need immediate attention. This enables analysts to focus on the most pressing threats, rather than getting lost in data.

Implementing AI: Governance and Strategy

However, integrating AI into cybersecurity isn’t just about adopting new technology. It requires careful planning and governance to ensure its effectiveness and ethical use. Here are some key considerations for successful implementation:

1. Quality of Information: Feeding AI systems with high-quality, relevant data is crucial. This involves continuously updating threat intelligence to keep the AI’s analysis accurate and timely.
2. Data Appropriateness and Rights: Ensuring the data used is appropriate and within legal and ethical boundaries protects privacy and maintains compliance.
3. Audience Tailoring: Information must be tailored to different stakeholders within the organization, ensuring it is relevant and understandable for each group.
4. Alignment of Value and Risk: Identifying where valuable systems and data are located and aligning them with risk assessments helps prioritize resources and efforts.

Enhancing Efficiency and Communication

One of the most transformative aspects of AI in cybersecurity is its ability to enhance efficiency and communication. AI can act as an intermediary, transforming technical information into accessible language tailored to the recipient’s role and technical understanding. This personalized interaction ensures that everyone, from technical staff to executive leaders, receives the information they need in a way that makes sense to them.

Imagine a scenario where AI not only analyzes threats but also crafts communications that consider the recipient’s technical level and concerns. For example, a CISO might receive a high-level summary of a threat with strategic recommendations, while a network engineer receives a detailed technical breakdown and specific actions to take. This personalized approach ensures that the information is relevant and actionable for each individual, enhancing overall organizational response.

Overcoming Challenges

Despite its potential, the adoption of AI in cybersecurity comes with challenges. One significant risk is the rush to implement AI technologies driven by FOMO (fear of missing out), which can lead to unnecessary risks. Companies must adopt a strategic, phased approach to integrating AI, starting with small pilot projects and gradually scaling up based on proven results.

Key Challenges and Mitigation Strategies:

1. Over-Reliance on AI: While AI can significantly enhance cybersecurity, over-reliance can lead to complacency. Maintaining a balance between AI-driven and human oversight is essential.
2. Data Privacy and Security: Handling sensitive information requires stringent controls to prevent breaches and misuse. Ensuring data privacy and security is paramount.
3. Ethical Considerations: AI systems must operate within ethical boundaries, avoiding biases and ensuring fair treatment of all data subjects.

The Future of AI in Cybersecurity

AI is poised to become a cornerstone of cybersecurity, not just by enhancing threat detection and response but by transforming how organizations interact with security data. The future lies in AI’s ability to provide personalized, context-aware insights that are tailored to each user’s needs and technical level. This personalized approach will make security information more relevant, understandable, and actionable, driving better decision-making and more effective responses to cyber threats.

AI is not just a tool but a game-changer in the cybersecurity landscape, enabling us to anticipate and neutralize threats before they materialize.

By embracing AI thoughtfully and strategically, organizations can significantly enhance their cybersecurity defenses, streamline operations, and improve communication. As AI technologies continue to advance, they will play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of cybersecurity strategies, ensuring that organizations remain resilient in the face of evolving threats.

The post Redefining Cybersecurity: Leveraging AI for Proactive Defense appeared first on Gigaom.

In the modern application landscape, APIs have become the backbone of digital communication and data exchange. From microservices and mobile apps to IoT devices and partner integrations, APIs are everywhere. However, this ubiquity also makes them a prime target for attackers.

In this post, we’ll explore the critical role of API security in a zero trust model, discuss the unique challenges of securing APIs, and share best practices for implementing a comprehensive API security strategy.

Why API Security is Critical in a Zero Trust Model

In a zero trust model, every application and service is treated as untrusted, regardless of its location or origin. This principle extends to APIs, which are often exposed to the internet and can provide direct access to sensitive data and functionality.

APIs are particularly vulnerable to a range of attacks, including:

1. Injection attacks: Attackers can manipulate API inputs to execute malicious code or commands, such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting (XSS).
2. Credential stuffing: Attackers can use stolen or brute-forced credentials to gain unauthorized access to APIs and the data they expose.
3. Man-in-the-middle attacks: Attackers can intercept and modify API traffic to steal sensitive data or manipulate application behavior.
4. Denial-of-service attacks: Attackers can overwhelm APIs with traffic or malformed requests, causing them to become unresponsive or crash.

To mitigate these risks, zero trust requires organizations to take a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to API security. This involves:

1. Authentication and authorization: Enforcing strong authentication and granular access controls for all API requests, using standards like OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect.
2. Encryption and integrity: Protecting API traffic with strong encryption and digital signatures to ensure confidentiality and integrity.
3. Input validation and sanitization: Validating and sanitizing all API inputs to prevent injection attacks and other malicious payloads.
4. Rate limiting and throttling: Implementing rate limits and throttling to prevent denial-of-service attacks and protect against abuse.

By applying these principles, organizations can create a more secure, resilient API ecosystem that minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

The Challenges of Securing APIs

While the principles of zero trust apply to all types of APIs, securing them presents unique challenges. These include:

1. Complexity: Modern API architectures are often complex, with numerous endpoints, versions, and dependencies, making it difficult to maintain visibility and control over the API ecosystem.
2. Lack of standardization: APIs often use a variety of protocols, data formats, and authentication mechanisms, making it challenging to apply consistent security policies and controls.
3. Third-party risks: Many organizations rely on third-party APIs and services, which can introduce additional risks and vulnerabilities outside of their direct control.
4. Legacy APIs: Some APIs may have been developed before modern security practices and standards were established, making it difficult to retrofit them with zero trust controls.

To overcome these challenges, organizations must take a risk-based approach to API security, prioritizing high-risk APIs and implementing compensating controls where necessary.

Best Practices for Zero Trust API Security

Implementing a zero trust approach to API security requires a comprehensive, multi-layered strategy. Here are some best practices to consider:

1. Inventory and classify APIs: Maintain a complete, up-to-date inventory of all APIs, including internal and external-facing APIs. Classify APIs based on their level of risk and criticality, and prioritize security efforts accordingly.
2. Implement strong authentication and authorization: Enforce strong authentication and granular access controls for all API requests, using standards like OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect. Use tools like API gateways and identity and access management (IAM) solutions to centrally manage authentication and authorization across the API ecosystem.
3. Encrypt and sign API traffic: Protect API traffic with strong encryption and digital signatures to ensure confidentiality and integrity. Use transport layer security (TLS) to encrypt API traffic in transit, and consider using message-level encryption for sensitive data.
4. Validate and sanitize API inputs: Validate and sanitize all API inputs to prevent injection attacks and other malicious payloads. Use input validation libraries and frameworks to ensure consistent and comprehensive input validation across all APIs.
5. Implement rate limiting and throttling: Implement rate limits and throttling to prevent denial-of-service attacks and protect against abuse. Use API management solutions to enforce rate limits and throttling policies across the API ecosystem.
6. Monitor and assess APIs: Continuously monitor API behavior and security posture using tools like API security testing, runtime application self-protection (RASP), and security information and event management (SIEM). Regularly assess APIs for vulnerabilities and compliance with security policies.

By implementing these best practices and continuously refining your API security posture, you can better protect your organization’s assets and data from the risks posed by insecure APIs.

Conclusion

In a zero trust world, API security is the cornerstone of application security. By treating APIs as untrusted and applying strong authentication, encryption, and input validation, organizations can minimize the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

However, achieving effective API security in a zero trust model requires a commitment to understanding your API ecosystem, implementing risk-based controls, and staying up to date with the latest security best practices. It also requires a cultural shift, with every developer and API owner taking responsibility for securing their APIs.

As you continue your zero trust journey, make API security a top priority. Invest in the tools, processes, and training necessary to secure your APIs, and regularly assess and refine your API security posture to keep pace with evolving threats and business needs.

In the next post, we’ll explore the role of monitoring and analytics in a zero trust model and share best practices for using data to detect and respond to threats in real-time.

Until then, stay vigilant and keep your APIs secure!

Additional Resources:

• OWASP API Security Project
• NIST SP 800-204: Security Strategies for Microservices-based Application Systems
• Google Cloud: API Security Best Practices

The post Securing APIs: The Cornerstone of Zero Trust Application Security appeared first on Gigaom.

In a world where applications are increasingly distributed, diverse, and dynamic, securing them has never been more challenging – or more critical. From cloud-native apps and microservices to legacy on-premises systems, every application represents a potential target for attackers.

In this post, we’ll explore the role of application security in a zero trust model, discuss the unique challenges of securing modern application architectures, and share best practices for implementing a zero trust approach to application security.

The Zero Trust Approach to Application Security

In a traditional perimeter-based security model, applications are often trusted by default once they are inside the network. However, in a zero trust model, every application is treated as a potential threat, regardless of its location or origin.

To mitigate these risks, zero trust requires organizations to take a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to application security. This involves:

1. Application inventory and classification: Maintaining a complete, up-to-date inventory of all applications and classifying them based on their level of risk and criticality.
2. Secure application development: Integrating security into the application development lifecycle, from design and coding to testing and deployment.
3. Continuous monitoring and assessment: Continuously monitoring application behavior and security posture to detect and respond to potential threats in real-time.
4. Least privilege access: Enforcing granular access controls based on the principle of least privilege, allowing users and services to access only the application resources they need to perform their functions.

By applying these principles, organizations can create a more secure, resilient application ecosystem that minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

The Challenges of Securing Modern Application Architectures

While the principles of zero trust apply to all types of applications, securing modern application architectures presents unique challenges. These include:

1. Complexity: Modern applications are often composed of multiple microservices, APIs, and serverless functions, making it difficult to maintain visibility and control over the application ecosystem.
2. Dynamic nature: Applications are increasingly dynamic, with frequent updates, auto-scaling, and ephemeral instances, making it challenging to maintain consistent security policies and controls.
3. Cloud-native risks: Cloud-native applications introduce new risks, such as insecure APIs, misconfigurations, and supply chain vulnerabilities, that require specialized security controls and expertise.
4. Legacy applications: Many organizations still rely on legacy applications that were not designed with modern security principles in mind, making it difficult to retrofit them with zero trust controls.

To overcome these challenges, organizations must take a risk-based approach to application security, prioritizing high-risk applications and implementing compensating controls where necessary.

Best Practices for Zero Trust Application Security

Implementing a zero trust approach to application security requires a comprehensive, multi-layered strategy. Here are some best practices to consider:

1. Inventory and classify applications: Maintain a complete, up-to-date inventory of all applications, including cloud-native and on-premises apps. Classify applications based on their level of risk and criticality, and prioritize security efforts accordingly.
2. Implement secure development practices: Integrate security into the application development lifecycle, using practices like threat modeling, secure coding, and automated security testing. Train developers on secure coding practices and provide them with the tools and resources they need to build secure applications.
3. Enforce least privilege access: Implement granular access controls based on the principle of least privilege, allowing users and services to access only the application resources they need to perform their functions. Use tools like OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect to manage authentication and authorization for APIs and microservices.
4. Monitor and assess applications: Continuously monitor application behavior and security posture using tools like application performance monitoring (APM), runtime application self-protection (RASP), and web application firewalls (WAFs). Regularly assess applications for vulnerabilities and compliance with security policies.
5. Secure application infrastructure: Ensure that the underlying infrastructure supporting applications, such as servers, containers, and serverless platforms, is securely configured and hardened against attack. Use infrastructure as code (IaC) and immutable infrastructure practices to ensure consistent and secure deployments.
6. Implement zero trust network access: Use zero trust network access (ZTNA) solutions to provide secure, granular access to applications, regardless of their location or the user’s device. ZTNA solutions use identity-based access policies and continuous authentication and authorization to ensure that only authorized users and devices can access application resources.

By implementing these best practices and continuously refining your application security posture, you can better protect your organization’s assets and data from the risks posed by modern application architectures.

Conclusion

In a zero trust world, every application is a potential threat. By treating applications as untrusted and applying secure development practices, least privilege access, and continuous monitoring, organizations can minimize the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

However, achieving effective application security in a zero trust model requires a commitment to understanding your application ecosystem, implementing risk-based controls, and staying up-to-date with the latest security best practices. It also requires a cultural shift, with every developer and application owner taking responsibility for securing their applications.

As you continue your zero trust journey, make application security a top priority. Invest in the tools, processes, and training necessary to secure your applications, and regularly assess and refine your application security posture to keep pace with evolving threats and business needs.

In the next post, we’ll explore the role of monitoring and analytics in a zero trust model and share best practices for using data to detect and respond to threats in real-time.

Until then, stay vigilant and keep your applications secure!

Additional Resources:

• OWASP: Application Security Verification Standard
• NIST: Secure Software Development Framework

The post Securing Applications: Zero Trust for Cloud and On-Premises Environments appeared first on Gigaom.

In a world where the number of connected devices is exploding, securing endpoints has never been more challenging – or more critical. From laptops and smartphones to IoT sensors and smart building systems, every device represents a potential entry point for attackers.

In this post, we’ll explore the role of device security in a zero trust model, discuss the unique challenges of securing IoT devices, and share best practices for implementing a zero trust approach to endpoint protection.

The Zero Trust Approach to Device Security

In a traditional perimeter-based security model, devices are often trusted by default once they are inside the network. However, in a zero trust model, every device is treated as a potential threat, regardless of its location or ownership.

To mitigate these risks, zero trust requires organizations to take a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to device security. This involves:

1. Device inventory and classification: Maintaining a complete, up-to-date inventory of all devices connected to the network and classifying them based on their level of risk and criticality.
2. Strong authentication and authorization: Requiring all devices to authenticate before accessing network resources and enforcing granular access controls based on the principle of least privilege.
3. Continuous monitoring and assessment: Continuously monitoring device behavior and security posture to detect and respond to potential threats in real-time.
4. Secure configuration and patch management: Ensuring that all devices are securely configured and up to date with the latest security patches and firmware updates.

By applying these principles, organizations can create a more secure, resilient device ecosystem that minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

The Challenges of Securing IoT Devices

While the principles of zero trust apply to all types of devices, securing IoT devices presents unique challenges. These include:

1. Heterogeneity: IoT devices come in a wide variety of form factors, operating systems, and communication protocols, making it difficult to apply a consistent security approach.
2. Resource constraints: Many IoT devices have limited processing power, memory, and battery life, making it challenging to implement traditional security controls like encryption and device management.
3. Lack of visibility: IoT devices are often deployed in large numbers and in hard-to-reach locations, making it difficult to maintain visibility and control over the device ecosystem.
4. Legacy devices: Many IoT devices have long lifespans and may not have been designed with security in mind, making it difficult to retrofit them with modern security controls.

To overcome these challenges, organizations must take a risk-based approach to IoT security, prioritizing high-risk devices and implementing compensating controls where necessary.

Best Practices for Zero Trust Device Security

Implementing a zero trust approach to device security requires a comprehensive, multi-layered strategy. Here are some best practices to consider:

1. Inventory and classify devices: Maintain a complete, up-to-date inventory of all devices connected to the network, including IoT devices. Classify devices based on their level of risk and criticality, and prioritize security efforts accordingly.
2. Implement strong authentication: Require all devices to authenticate before accessing network resources, using methods like certificates, tokens, or biometrics. Consider using device attestation to verify the integrity and security posture of devices before granting access.
3. Enforce least privilege access: Implement granular access controls based on the principle of least privilege, allowing devices to access only the resources they need to perform their functions. Use network segmentation and microsegmentation to isolate high-risk devices and limit the potential impact of a breach.
4. Monitor and assess devices: Continuously monitor device behavior and security posture using tools like endpoint detection and response (EDR) and security information and event management (SIEM). Regularly assess devices for vulnerabilities and compliance with security policies.
5. Secure device configurations: Ensure that all devices are securely configured and hardened against attack. Use secure boot and firmware signing to prevent unauthorized modifications, and disable unused ports and services.
6. Keep devices up to date: Regularly patch and update devices to address known vulnerabilities and security issues. Consider using automated patch management tools to ensure timely and consistent updates across the device ecosystem.

By implementing these best practices and continuously refining your device security posture, you can better protect your organization’s assets and data from the risks posed by connected devices.

Conclusion

In a zero trust world, every device is a potential threat. By treating devices as untrusted and applying strong authentication, least privilege access, and continuous monitoring, organizations can minimize the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches. However, achieving effective device security in a zero trust model requires a commitment to understanding your device ecosystem, implementing risk-based controls, and staying up to date with the latest security best practices. It also requires a cultural shift, with every user and device owner taking responsibility for securing their endpoints.

As you continue your zero trust journey, make device security a top priority. Invest in the tools, processes, and training necessary to secure your endpoints, and regularly assess and refine your device security posture to keep pace with evolving threats and business needs.

In the next post, we’ll explore the role of application security in a zero trust model and share best practices for securing cloud and on-premises applications.

Until then, stay vigilant and keep your devices secure!

Additional Resources:

• NIST: Securing IoT Devices
• CIS: Securing IoT Devices
• Gartner: Zero Trust for Endpoint Security

The post Securing Endpoints: Zero Trust for Devices and IoT appeared first on Gigaom.

In a traditional perimeter-based security model, the network is often treated as a single, monolithic entity. Once a user or device is inside the network, they typically have broad access to resources and applications. However, in a zero trust world, this approach is no longer sufficient.

In this post, we’ll explore the role of network segmentation in a zero trust model, discuss the benefits of microsegmentation, and share best practices for implementing a zero trust network architecture.

The Zero Trust Approach to Network Segmentation

In a zero trust model, the network is no longer treated as a trusted entity. Instead, zero trust assumes that the network is always hostile and that threats can come from both inside and outside the organization.

To mitigate these risks, zero trust requires organizations to segment their networks into smaller, more manageable zones. This involves:

1. Microsegmentation: Dividing the network into small, isolated segments based on application, data sensitivity, and user roles.
2. Least privilege access: Enforcing granular access controls between segments, allowing only the minimum level of access necessary for users and devices to perform their functions.
3. Continuous monitoring: Constantly monitoring network traffic and user behavior to detect and respond to potential threats in real-time.
4. Software-defined perimeters: Using software-defined networking (SDN) and virtual private networks (VPNs) to create dynamic, adaptable network boundaries that can be easily modified as needed.

By applying these principles, organizations can create a more secure, resilient network architecture that minimizes the risk of lateral movement and data breaches.

Benefits of Microsegmentation in a Zero Trust Model

Microsegmentation is a key enabler of zero trust at the network level. By dividing the network into small, isolated segments, organizations can realize several benefits:

1. Reduced attack surface: Microsegmentation limits the potential damage of a breach by containing threats within a single segment, preventing lateral movement across the network.
2. Granular access control: By enforcing least privilege access between segments, organizations can ensure that users and devices only have access to the resources they need, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
3. Improved visibility: Microsegmentation provides greater visibility into network traffic and user behavior, making it easier to detect and respond to potential threats.
4. Simplified compliance: By isolating regulated data and applications into separate segments, organizations can more easily demonstrate compliance with industry standards and regulations.

Best Practices for Implementing Microsegmentation

Implementing micro-segmentation in a zero trust model requires a comprehensive, multi-layered approach. Here are some best practices to consider:

1. Map your network: Before implementing micro-segmentation, thoroughly map your network to understand your applications, data flows, and user roles. Use tools like application discovery and dependency mapping (ADDM) to identify dependencies and prioritize segments.
2. Define segmentation policies: Develop clear, granular segmentation policies based on your organization’s unique security and compliance requirements. Consider factors such as data sensitivity, user roles, and application criticality when defining segments.
3. Use software-defined networking: Leverage SDN technologies to create dynamic, adaptable network segments that can be easily modified as needed. Use tools like Cisco ACI, VMware NSX, or OpenStack Neutron to implement SDN.
4. Enforce least privilege access: Implement granular access controls between segments, allowing only the minimum level of access necessary for users and devices to perform their functions. Use network access control (NAC) and identity-based segmentation to enforce these policies.
5. Monitor and log traffic: Implement robust monitoring and logging mechanisms to track network traffic and user behavior. Use network detection and response (NDR) tools to identify and investigate potential threats.
6. Regularly test and refine: Regularly test your micro-segmentation policies and controls to ensure they are effective and up to date. Conduct penetration testing and red team exercises to identify weaknesses and refine your segmentation strategy.

By implementing these best practices and continuously refining your micro-segmentation posture, you can better protect your organization’s assets and data and build a more resilient, adaptable network architecture.

Conclusion

In a zero trust world, the network is no longer a trusted entity. By treating the network as always hostile and segmenting it into small, isolated zones, organizations can minimize the risk of lateral movement and data breaches. However, achieving effective microsegmentation in a zero trust model requires a commitment to understanding your network, defining clear policies, and investing in the right tools and processes. It also requires a cultural shift, with every user and device treated as a potential threat.

As you continue your zero trust journey, make network segmentation a top priority. Invest in the tools, processes, and training necessary to implement microsegmentation and regularly assess and refine your segmentation posture to keep pace with evolving threats and business needs.

In the next post, we’ll explore the role of device security in a zero trust model and share best practices for securing endpoints, IoT devices, and other connected systems.

Until then, stay vigilant and keep your network secure!

Additional Resources:

• NIST: Zero Trust Architecture
• Forrester: The Zero Trust eXtended Ecosystem
• Palo Alto Networks: Zero Trust Network Segmentation

The post Microsegmentation: Implementing Zero Trust at the Network Level appeared first on Gigaom.