In 2018, the cybersecurity industry is bracing for significant disruption following a series of high-profile malware outbreaks, exploits, and hacks. Despite organizations investing millions in cybersecurity technologies, attacks are becoming more sophisticated, with cyber-criminals outspending their targets on defense.
One key disruptor expected to make a comeback is the ‘zero trust’ security model. This approach entails adopting a mindset of ‘we don’t trust anybody’ and granting access only to users who are explicitly authorized. Unlike a decade ago, the modern ‘zero trust’ model accommodates personal device preferences while implementing rigorous authentication measures to verify user identities and access rights.
Some may worry that the ‘zero trust’ approach could lead to bottlenecks in productivity. However, with cloud-based systems, authentication and verification processes are nearly instantaneous, ensuring minimal disruption to users’ workflows.
Organizations embracing the ‘zero trust’ model will have the opportunity to revisit their cybersecurity policies and processes. This will result in the development of new policies that consider both on-premises infrastructure and cloud services, enabling better security defenses such as micro-segmentation in multi-cloud environments.
Blockchain technology is also poised to play a significant role in cybersecurity. By leveraging Blockchain for public key cryptography, businesses can enhance security by eliminating centralized certificate authorities susceptible to attacks. Blockchain’s distributed ledger system allows for transparent and secure transactions, making it ideal for user authentication and identity management.
For example, Blockchain can be used to verify the trustworthiness of employees accessing corporate systems based on their transaction history. Similarly, new contractors or unfamiliar access attempts can trigger restricted access until explicitly sanctioned by system administrators or the IT security team.
In the coming year, there will be a renewed focus on authentication measures to enhance efficiency in the face of cyber threats. The ‘zero trust’ approach, supported by technologies like Blockchain, provides a solid foundation for bolstering cybersecurity defenses. Organizations must ensure that their systems and infrastructure can seamlessly integrate with zero trust principles without hindering productivity.