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Zero Trust Network Access
Micro-Segmentation And Zero Trust
Enterprise networks are increasingly at risk of sophisticated attacks as malicious actors recognize the value of protected data — as the basis for ransom demands and as sought-after assets sold to other would-be criminals.
The crux of the problem stems from protective priorities. While familiar cybersecurity solutions focus on preventing malicious traffic moving outside-in to corporate networks — also called north-south traffic — they’re not designed to defend IT infrastructure against lateral movement or east-west attacks.
This lateral movement poses significant risk: If attackers can gain access to peripheral systems or devices, they may be able to leverage account compromise or privilege escalation techniques to move undetected through networks until they reach critical services or databases.
The solution is micro-segmentation zero trust from Invisily.
What Is Micro-Segmentation Security — and How Does It Work?
Micro-segmentation works hand in hand with the zero trust security concept of “never trust, always verify.” Using robust access controls and authentication tools, zero trust network access (ZTNA) frameworks have proven exceptionally adept at reducing north-south traffic risks by ensuring users are who they say they are; that their role allows for the access they’re requesting; and that their behavior indicates they do not pose significant risk.
Micro-segmentation takes this approach a step further by creating a virtualized perimeter that encompasses users, devices and applications. Users can see only the resources they have permission to access, while everything else on the network is rendered invisible. As a result, lateral movement becomes almost impossible.
Micro-segmentation software offers substantive benefits for businesses, including:
Reduced attack surface: By leveraging application micro-segmentation to prevent users from seeing other apps and services, overall attack surface is reduced. Lacking the ability to find potential weak spots, malicious actors leave empty handed.
Improved breach containment: By limiting the number of users who have privileged access on corporate networks, IT staff can reduce the total volume of potential attack vectors. By deploying micro-segmentation solutions, teams can easily pinpoint where suspicious behavior is occurring and move to contain it before more systems are affected. Put simply, micro-segmentation significantly limits the number of potential paths for attackers, in turn, giving security professionals the upper hand.
Granular permissions control: While solutions such as role-based access control (RBAC) can help reduce the risk of substantive compromise, even the smallest security identifier can still lead to excessive permissions that permit malicious activity.
Network micro-segmentation solutions, meanwhile, empower granular permissions control based on application, workload level or specific information about the users themselves — such as current location, device being used or even the time of day access is commonly requested.
See More of Your Network With Invisily
With a focus on verification over permission, zero trust security forms the foundation of effective application, network and user security. As malicious actors move from north-south attacks and toward east-west efforts, another defensive layer is required.
Micro-segmentation products and services from Invisily deliver improved protection by creating virtual perimeters that render all non-accessible assets invisible to users. This prevents lateral movement anywhere, anytime, to stop sophisticated attackers in their tracks.
Ready to make the most of micro-segmentation? Get in touch.
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