Zero trust architecture: Redefining network security paradigms in the digital age
Virtual University of Pakistan (2015).
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 19(03), 105–116
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2023.19.3.1785
Publication history:
Received on 26 July 2023; revised on 01 September 2023; accepted on 04 September 2023
Abstract:
The prevailing paradigms of network security have demonstrated their inadequacy in safeguarding critical data against the intricate web of advanced cyber threats prevailing in today's ever-shifting digital terrain. The domain of network security has been subjected to a seismic reorientation catalyzed by the advent of the zero-trust paradigm. This novel approach underscores a multifaceted, adaptable, and proactive methodology, thereby punctuating the obsolescence of conventional perimeter-centric strategies. Central to the ethos of the zero-trust doctrine resides a fundamental skepticism concerning the bedrock of trust assumptions that underpin network dynamics. Diverging from entrenched models, the zero-trust architectural edifice operates on the premise that perils are omnidirectional, originating both externally and internally. This nullification of any inherent trust attributed to constituents within stipulated boundaries compels enterprises, regardless of user spatial disposition or network adjacency, to painstakingly ascertain the legitimacy of every user, device, and application endeavoring to access invaluable resources. At the core of the zero-trust architecture lies its distinctive feature of significantly reducing the vulnerable area for potential attacks. This contraction is manifest through the meticulous imposition of stringent access controls and the meticulous segmentation of microcosmic components, thereby effectively constricting the lateral trajectory of threats across the network expanse. Consequently, even in the contingency of a breach, the reverberations upon pivotal assets are attenuated, their potential detriment confined and segregated. Concurrently, the zero-trust ethos assimilates a perpetual vigilance and instantaneous threat discernment as intrinsic tenets. This capacitates organizations to expeditiously counteract aberrations and potential security breaches. To fortify the bulwark of data integrity, the paradigm amalgamates multifarious facets encompassing multifactor authentication, encryption, and the tenet of least privilege. This confluence tangibly augments the intricacy of thwarting unauthorized actors seeking ingress or egress to prized sensitive data. Of paramount import is the alignment of this strategy with the capricious contours of contemporary business workflows, encompassing the ubiquity of mobile devices, the ubiquity of remote work modalities, and the prevalence of cloud-based services, all within an impregnable security aegis. However, the implementation of the zero-trust framework is not devoid of associated difficulties. Organizations must adroitly maneuver through labyrinthine installation protocols, the specter of potential compatibility conflicts, and the imperative of engendering a seismic cultural shift within security practices. Furthermore, the perpetual guardianship and custodianship of such an architecture mandate the marshaling of bespoke resources and expertise.
Keywords:
Zero Trust Architecture; Network Security; Digital Age; Cyber Threats; Perimeter-Centric; Continuous Verification; Access Controls; Data Integrity; Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA); Micro-Segmentation; Encryption; Identity and Access Management (IAM); Behavioral Analytics; Emerging Technologies; Blockchain; Cloud Security; Remote Workforce; IoT Security; Supply Chain Security; Regulatory Compliance
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Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0