How we implemented Zero Trust Access Management at one of our clients instead of a VPN

ZTAM

Today, IT security is a priority for every company. Traditional methods, such as VPNs, are becoming less and less effective in the face of growing cyber threats. That’s why more and more companies are opting for modern solutions such as Zero Trust Access Management (ZTAM). In this article, we’ll describe how we implemented Zero Trust Access Management at one of our clients, its advantages, and why the client opted for this technology.

What is Zero Trust Access Management?

Zero Trust Access Management is an approach to IT security that assumes that no person or device should be trusted by default, regardless of whether they are inside or outside the corporate network. In practice, this means that every user and device must be authorized and authenticated before accessing company resources. This system includes various technologies such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), identity-based access control, network segmentation and continuous activity monitoring.

Benefits of Zero Trust Access Management

1. Enhanced security: ZTAM minimizes the risk of unauthorized access by thoroughly verifying the identities of users and devices. This reduces the possibility of phishing attacks, brute force and other infiltration methods.
2. Granular access control: This system allows you to specify precisely who has access to what. This allows you to better manage permissions and limit access to only necessary resources.
3. Flexibility and scalability: Zero Trust is easy to scale, which means it can be deployed in both small businesses and large corporations. Its flexibility allows it to adapt to the specific needs of an organization.
4. Protection against internal threats: Traditional methods assume that threats mainly come from outside. ZTAM eliminates this assumption, allowing for more effective protection against internal threats, such as disloyal employees.
5. Better regulatory compliance: Many industries must comply with stringent data protection regulations. Zero Trust helps meet these requirements with advanced security mechanisms and accurate activity tracking.

Why did our client choose Zero Trust Access Management?

Our client, a company in the financial sector, was facing several security challenges. The traditional VPN system did not provide sufficient protection against advanced cyber threats, and it was complicated and time-consuming to manage. In addition, the company had to meet strict regulatory requirements for data protection.

After a thorough analysis of the available solutions, we decided together with the client to implement Zero Trust Access Management. The key factors that influenced this decision were:

• Need for better access control: ZTAM allows for accurate privilege management, which has been key to ensuring the security of financial data.
• Eliminating VPN vulnerabilities: Traditional VPNs are susceptible to various types of attacks, such as session interception. Zero Trust eliminates these risks by constantly verifying identities.
• Regulatory requirements: The Zero Trust system facilitates compliance with regulatory requirements through advanced reporting and monitoring mechanisms.

Implementation process

The implementation of Zero Trust Access Management at the client company was a multi-stage process:

1. Analysis and planning: We conducted a detailed analysis of the existing infrastructure and identified key assets that need protection.
2. Technology selection: We have identified the best technologies and tools to implement Zero Trust, including solutions for MFA, identity management and network segmentation.
3. Implementation: We integrated the selected technologies into the client’s existing IT infrastructure, configuring access and authentication policies.
4. Training and support: we trained the client’s employees on how to use the new system and provided technical support during the first weeks of use.
5. Monitoring and optimization: Once the system was implemented, we monitored its performance on an ongoing basis and made the necessary optimizations.

Summary

Implementing Zero Trust Access Management instead of a traditional VPN at our client’s company brought numerous benefits, including increased security, better access control and regulatory compliance. The Zero Trust system proved to be a modern and effective solution that met all the client’s expectations. In an era of increasing cyber threats, this approach to security is becoming a necessity for any company that wants to effectively protect its data and assets.

If your company is also looking for modern IT security solutions, contact us. We can help you implement Zero Trust Access Management to ensure the highest level of protection. IT Outsourcing is our specialty, so we will help your company in this area if necessary.