Network Security: Zero Trust vs Perimeter-Based
Security is a critical aspect of any organization that intends to keep its confidential data safe. However, with cyber-attacks becoming more sophisticated, security has become more complex. Some of the traditional security models no longer guarantee the security of confidential data. As a result, there has been a rise in the number of security models being adopted by organizations. Two such models are the Zero Trust and Perimeter-Based security models.
In this post, we will discuss the Zero Trust and Perimeter-Based security models, comparing the two and discussing their strengths and weaknesses.
Perimeter-Based Security
Perimeter-Based security has been a traditional security model where an organization draws a virtual wall around its internal network. This wall is called the perimeter. The aim of this model was to restrict access to the internal network to external entities. This security model assumes that anybody outside the network is a potential threat, and access is only granted to the network if an external entity has passed through the perimeter.
Perimeter-Based security uses firewalls, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and other security protocols to maintain the perimeter. This traditional model is losing its effectiveness because organizations now keep their data on various clouds, beyond the perimeter.
Zero Trust Security
The Zero Trust model, on the other hand, assumes that anyone and anything accessing the organization's resources is a potential threat, whether they are inside or outside the perimeter. This model doesn't depend upon the perimeter, but instead, it focuses on strengthening security across the internal network.
Zero Trust security improves security by authenticating and authorizing every user and system in the network. There is no automatic trust. Everyone starts as untrusted, and permissions are granted based on the principle of least privilege. Before any access is granted, there is multi-factor authentication, device posture, and granular policies are determined. Every user and device must have validated identities and a strong security posture.
Comparison of Zero Trust and Perimeter-Based Security
Attack surface
Perimeter-Based security reduces the attack surface by securely setting up a virtual wall around an organization's internal resources. It assumes that once an entity passes through the perimeter, it's safe. This model becomes outdated as more data moves into the cloud, which is beyond the perimeter.
Zero Trust reduces the attack surface by assuming that everyone is a potential threat, regardless of where they are or what device they are using. The model strengthens the security across internal resources while also providing encryption, advanced behavioral analytics, and artificial intelligence capabilities.
Access
Perimeter-Based security limits incoming access with the aim of keeping the resources inside the perimeter not accessible to external entities. It provides limited access to users and systems within the perimeter.
Zero Trust accesses every user and device that tries to access the network, providing granular access policies based on identity, location, and device posture.
Cost
The traditional Perimeter-Based security model can be expensive to maintain since it requires dedicated hardware and cybersecurity personnel to manage the firewall and other network access points.
In contrast, the Zero Trust model cuts down on cybersecurity costs by providing better security and monitoring capabilities directly built into cloud and mobile infrastructure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Zero Trust and Perimeter-Based Security models can provide adequate security for an organization. While the Zero Trust model provides better security by assuming everyone is a potential threat, the Perimeter-Based model can reduce the attack surface at the initial level.
We recommend organizations to adopt Zero Trust security, as the security model improves security by strengthening security across the internal network, while also providing artificial intelligence capabilities and encryption.
References
- Zero Trust Security. NIST. https://www.nist.gov/itl/tig/projects/zero-trust-architecture.
- RSA Conference 2020: Zero Trust Security Model. Varonis. https://www.varonis.com/blog/zero-trust-security-model/.