Essential Zero Trust Security Steps You Can Start Today Without Spending

September 13, 2024
Essential Zero Trust Security Steps You Can Start Today Without Spending

In the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, the principle of Zero Trust stands out as a critical strategy to safeguard against sophisticated threats like ransomware and malware. Zero Trust operates on the premise that no entity, internal or external, should be trusted by default and must be verified at every step. While the concept can seem daunting, implementing Zero Trust doesn’t have to break the bank. This article outlines essential steps your organization can take to start the Zero Trust journey without spending a dime. These measures will add layers of security, bolster defenses, and reshape your approach to network security.

1. Safeguard Administrator Credentials

Assuming a breach is one of the core principles of Zero Trust. Don’t give attackers an easy path to steal privileged accounts once they’ve breached your network. One of the first steps is to separate admin accounts and enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA). Ensuring that admin accounts require MFA is something that should have been standard for years. However, going beyond just MFA, server and network administrators should use administrator jump boxes or Privileged Administrator Workstations (PAWS). These systems are secure and have mitigated common attack vectors like limited or no internet access and restricted MS Office, PDF file, and email access.

Enforcing this policy can be challenging, particularly for administrators accustomed to having broad access. To make this policy effective, deny local logon rights to admin accounts on regular workstations. While admins may resist this transition, understanding that this discomfort is minor compared to the risk of an attacker easily stealing admin account hashes from compromised workstations is crucial. Even with physical MFA protection, this step provides an additional layer of security, significantly raising the bar for attackers attempting to exploit these high-privilege accounts.

2. Fortify Workstations and Curtail Lateral Movement Risks

It’s widely acknowledged that fortifying workstations is crucial, but some policies go further by assuming that workstations will eventually be breached. The intent is to make lateral movement significantly more difficult for attackers. One critical consideration is the removal of local administrator rights from user workstations. This can be a challenging policy to implement but is necessary to minimize the damage an attacker can cause once inside the network.

Setting workstation firewall policies to permit only Client-to-Server communications is another effective step. This measure ensures that the Windows firewall is always on the Public profile, blocking inbound connections from other corporate workstations and servers. Restricting local logon rights to the assigned user and excluding broadly included groups like Domain Users can prevent unauthorized access and help reduce the risk of lateral movement.

Implementing these changes will necessitate adjustments in your helpdesk procedures. For instance, current methods that involve remote desktop or sharing WMI or C$ shares for support will need to be re-evaluated. Although remote support facilitates easier helpdesk operations, it also opens pathways for attackers to spread ransomware or other malware. Additionally, for auditing and shipping logs, consider having workstations push logs to a central repository rather than pulling them centrally.

3. Implement Managed Device Policy

To advance Zero Trust principles, policies that permit access to corporate resources from unmanaged devices need rethinking. Allowing employees to access sensitive data from personal or unregistered devices significantly increases security risks. An effective zero-cost step is to ensure corporate credentials are exclusively used on registered, managed devices. This policy will meet resistance, especially from VIPs and executives who prefer convenience, but they must recognize the heightened risk of being targeted by attackers.

This policy aims at zero trust towards users and handling their credentials by ensuring that only managed, secure devices can access the corporate network. While executives may grumble about the increased security measures, understanding that they are high-value targets should encourage their compliance. By enforcing the use of managed devices, enterprises can significantly reduce the risk of credential theft and unauthorized access.

4. Complicate Social Engineering Efforts

Social engineering remains one of the most effective methods attackers use to breach networks. Often, these attacks begin by targeting helpdesk employees through clever manipulation and deception. To mitigate this risk, enforce policies through workflow automation tools that remove discretionary power from first-line support staff. Automation tools can require a second-level approval for any account resets or actions that grant elevated access, making it harder for attackers to exploit human weaknesses.

Removing first-line support discretion fosters zero trust toward human decision-making and the person on the other end of the line. Organizations must institute strict procedures that require identity and situation verification through multiple channels before granting any form of access. By complicating social engineering efforts, organizations can insulate themselves against one of the most prevalent vectors used by attackers.

5. Pursue Rigorous Patching

Assuming a breach not only means protecting credentials but also anticipating that attackers will look for vulnerabilities to exploit. Therefore, an aggressive patching strategy is essential. This doesn’t necessarily mean immediate, indiscriminate patching but a well-organized approach. Different devices require tailored strategies, but the foundational principle is early and often.

For example, an efficient patching schedule for end-user devices might look like this: patches are first issued to an early adopters group on day zero. This group should be large and diverse, covering different departments to catch a wide range of potential issues. Next, a stage-2 pilot group receives patches on day three, followed by the rest of the user base on day seven. Balancing the business risk of something breaking with the security risk of being compromised is key. Encouraging participation from early adopters can be boosted by offering incentives like the latest devices or first access to new OS upgrades and software.

6. Summarize the Journey

In the rapidly changing world of cybersecurity, the Zero Trust model has emerged as a pivotal strategy to protect against advanced threats like ransomware and malware. Zero Trust is built on the principle that no one, whether inside or outside the network, should be trusted by default; everything and everyone must be continuously verified.

Initially, Zero Trust might sound overwhelming, but adopting this approach doesn’t have to be costly. This article will guide your organization through foundational steps to embark on the Zero Trust journey without any financial burden. These strategies will help you add multiple layers of security, enhance your defenses, and transform how you approach network security.

Zero Trust requires a mindset shift where verification is constant. Begin by assessing your current access controls and identifying potential weak points. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to ensure that even if credentials are compromised, unauthorized access is still unlikely. Also, segment your network to limit the damage if a breach occurs. By dividing your network into smaller, secured sections, you make it more difficult for attackers to move laterally.

Establishing a robust monitoring system is crucial. Keep an eye on user activities to detect any anomalies quickly. Finally, educate your employees about cybersecurity best practices. An informed workforce is your first line of defense. By taking these steps, you can effectively begin your Zero Trust journey, strengthening your organization’s security without needing to invest heavily.

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