Secure your SMB with Zero Trust

Zero Trust Security for SMBs

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Cybersecurity is becoming more complex every minute and deserves to be a priority more than ever before. It's no longer possible to fully trust applications, interfaces, networks, devices and users without authentication. Misplacing your trust in a malicious entity can leave your organization vulnerable and lead to a catastrophic breach that could permanently damage your business and reputation. However, implementing a Zero Trust approach to security can be a great way for small and medium-sized companies (SMBs) to reduce their cybersecurity risks and prevent data breaches

Zero Trust was introduced by John Kindervag, a former Forrester analyst, in 2010. This trusted framework for cybersecurity has gained widespread acceptance and approval. Zero Trust does not trust anyone outside of its perimeter. Instead, it insists on verifying every attempt to connect to company systems before granting access. It's simply described by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) as a "never trust, always verify" approach.

Statistically deploying Zero Trust Security withing you organization can help protect your company from data breaches, downtime, customer turnover, reputation damaged and other issues. In 2023, more than 75% of businesses plan to implement some level of Zero Trust Security. This is even more critical for SMB’s in an era where the workforce is becoming more remote and networks are becoming more distributed

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Zero Trust Security: Three Misconceptions and FACTS

• Misconception: Zero Trust Security only applies to enterprises.
  Zero Trust is a tried and true counter-threat strategy. Although enterprises are known for putting their best efforts into protecting their data and networks, it is true that SMBs also need to safeguard sensitive data and networks. They must take appropriate steps to limit external and internal vulnerabilities. Zero Trust Security is not just for enterprises. SMBs can also implement and greatly benefit from Zero Trust Security.

• Misconception: Zero Trust Security is too complex.
  The secret is to apply Zero Trust at the right scale for your business. Doing so will help you quickly see it's not as complicated as you thought.

• Misconception: Implementing Zero Trust is too expensive.
  Zero Trust adoption is both operationally possible and economically feasible if your focus is on your most critical applications and data first.

Still Not Convinced?

Let's examine some statistics that might help convince you of how serious cyberthreats are today and the need for Zero Trust in you organization.

• Nearly 25% of data breaches are caused by human error. ₂
  Unfortunately, you can't totally trust an external network. You also can't fully trust any user within your network.

• Experts predict that ransomware attack take place every 11 seconds. ₃
  ‍This means there is no time for complacency and you must take action.    

• More than 40% of employees are expected to continue to work from home, even after the pandemic. ₄
  ‍As a result, many devices, users, and other resources will interact with your company network, completely outside the corporate perimeter. This increases the likelihood of an incident taking place.    

• Phishing attacks have increased more than 60% since the start of the pandemic. ₅
  Cybersecurity policies need to be dynamic and flexible in order to combat additional concerns.

If you are not properly secured, it is only a matter of time before you are hit with a data breach. Most likely, your current cybersecurity strategy is not sufficient to prevent cybercriminals from accessing your network. The Zero Trust approach to cybersecurity can change that.

Zero Trust Security does not require you to abandon your existing security tools or technologies. NIST says Zero Trust Security should integrate existing security technologies and tools more effectively.

Deploying a zero trust model that is effective should include governance policies, such as limiting user access to what is needed to complete their tasks. This might include technologies like:

1. Multifactor authentication
2. Identity and access management
3. Risk management
4. Analytics
5. Encryption
6. Orchestration
7. Scoring
8. File-system permissions

Taking your business down the path of Zero Trust may not be easy, but it's certainly achievable and well worth it. Don't worry about where and how to begin. With the right MSP partner by your side, your journey becomes easier and more successful. Contact us to get started.

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<sub>Source:
1. Solutionsreview.com
2. IBM 2020 Cost of Data Breach Report
3. JD SUPRA Knowledge Center
4. Gartner Report
5. Security Magazine Verizon Data Breach Digest</sub>