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The Advantages of a Passwordless Authentication Within a Zero Trust Security framework

The rapid shift towards more remote working and the associated explosion of devices has dramatically increased the number of cyber threats. With this in mind, companies face the challenge of protecting their highly complex cloud-based technology ecosystems, as employees, software and even partner organisations can pose a threat to the security of valuable systems and data. As a consequence, the zero-trust approach has established itself as a popular security framework. What is Zero Trust? In a Zero Trust architecture, the inherent trust in the network is removed. Instead, the network is classified as hostile and every access request is checked based on an access policy. An effective zero trust framework combines several tools and strategies and is based on one golden rule: trust no one. Instead, each entity (person, device or software module) and each access request to technology resources must provide enough information to earn that trust. If access is granted, it applies only to the specific asset needed to perform a task and only for a limited period of time. The role of zero-trust authentication Because password-based, traditional multi-factor authentication (MFA) can be easily exploited by cybercriminals, an effective zero-trust approach requires strong user validation through phishing-resistant, passwordless MFA. It also requires establishing trust in the endpoint device used to access applications and data. If organisations cannot trust the user or their device, all other components of a zero-trust approach are useless. Authentication is therefore critical to a successful zero-trust architecture, as it prevents unauthorised access to data and services and makes access control enforcement as granular as possible. In practice, this authentication must be as smooth and user-friendly as possible so that users do not bypass it or bombard the helpdesk with support requests. The advantages of passwordless authentication Replacing traditional MFA with strong, passwordless authentication methods allows security teams to build the first layer of their zero-trust architecture. Replacing passwords with FIDO-based passkeys that use asymmetric cryptography, and combining them with secure device-based biometrics, creates a phishing-resistant MFA approach. Users are authenticated by proving that they own the registered device, which is cryptographically bound to their identity, through a combination of biometric authentication and asymmetric cryptographic transaction. The same technology is used in Transaction Layer Security (TLS), which ensures the authenticity of a website and establishes an encrypted tunnel before users exchange sensitive information, for example in online banking. This strong authentication method not only provides significant protection against cyber attacks, but can also reduce the costs and administrative tasks associated with resetting and locking passwords with traditional MFA tools. Most importantly, there are long-term benefits through improved workflow and staff productivity, as authentication is designed to be particularly user-friendly and frictionless. Zero trust authentication requirements at a glance It is important that organisations looking to implement a zero trust framework address authentication as early as possible. In doing so, they should pay attention to the following points: 1. Strong user validation A strong factor to confirm the identity of the user is the proof of ownership of their assigned device. This is provided when the authorised user verifiably authenticates himself on his own device. The identity of the device is cryptographically bound to the identity of the user for this purpose. These two factors eliminate passwords or other cryptographic secrets that cybercriminals can retrieve from a device, intercept over a network or elicit from users through social engineering. 2. Strong device validation With strong device validation, organisations prevent the use of unauthorised BYOD devices by only granting access to known, trusted devices. The validation process verifies that the device is bound to the user and meets the necessary security and compliance requirements. 3. User-friendly authentication for users and administrators. Passwords and traditional MFA are time-consuming and impact productivity. Passwordless authentication is easy to deploy and manage and verifies users within seconds via a biometric scanner on their device. 4. Integration with IT management and security tools Collecting as much information as possible about users, devices and transactions is very helpful in deciding whether to grant access. A zero-trust policy engine requires the integration of data sources and other software tools to make correct decisions, send alerts to the SOC and share trusted log data for auditing purposes. 5. Advanced policy engines Deploying a policy engine with an easy-to-use interface enables security teams to define policies such as risk levels and risk scores that control access. Automated policy engines help collect data from tens of thousands of devices, including multiple devices from both internal employees and external service providers. Because using risk scores instead of raw data is useful in many situations, the engine also needs to access data from a range of IT management and security tools. Once collected, the policy engine evaluates the data and takes the action specified in the policy, for example, approving or blocking access or quarantining a suspicious device. Traditional password-based multi-factor authentication is now a very low barrier for attackers. An authentication process that is both phishing-resistant and passwordless is therefore a key component of a zero-trust framework. This not only significantly reduces cybersecurity risks, but also improves employee productivity and IT team efficiency.

How to Implement Zero Trust With Privileged Access Management

Zero Trust and PAM both emphasize the importance of access control. As we know, Zero Trust adopts a least privilege approach, ensuring that users and devices have only the necessary access rights to perform their tasks. PAM focuses on managing and controlling privileged accounts, which have elevated privileges and access to critical systems and data. By integrating PAM within a Zero Trust framework, organizations can implement strict controls over privileged access, reducing the risk of unauthorized or excessive access. Guide to implementing Zero Trust with Privileged Access Management: Implementing Zero Trust with Privileged Access Management (PAM) involves combining the principles and practices of both approaches to enhance security and minimize the risk of unauthorized access. In this article will be presented a step-by-step guide to implementing Zero Trust with Privileged Access Management: Remember that implementing Zero Trust with Privileged Access Management is an ongoing process, and it requires commitment, regular monitoring, and a proactive approach to security. It’s recommended to engage with security professionals and consider consulting with experts to ensure a robust implementation. What is the interaction between zero trust and privileged access management? As already mentioned, Zero Trust and Privileged Access Management (PAM) are two complementary security concepts that work together to enhance overall cybersecurity. While Zero Trust focuses on the principle of not trusting any user or device by default, PAM specifically addresses the management and control of privileged accounts. Zero Trust and Privileged Access Management (PAM) interact in several ways to strengthen overall security and mitigate the risks associated with privileged accounts. Here’s a closer look at their interaction: By combining the principles and practices of Zero Trust with the capabilities of Privileged Access Management, organizations can enhance their security posture, minimize the risk of unauthorized access, privilege misuse, and potential security breaches involving privileged accounts. The interaction between Zero Trust and PAM helps organizations enforce strict access controls, implement strong authentication, monitor privileged access activities, and make risk-based decisions to protect critical assets and sensitive data.

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