Because business activities are carried out using a variety of devices, the role of upholding a uniform security posture is challenging. Devices range from company-managed devices, personal BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), and even third-party equipment. Further complicating matters is maintaining the same security standards for remote employees as those who are in the office.
The best strategy for creating device trust is ironically called Zero Trust.
Zero Trust is a strategic approach to cybersecurity that secures an organization by eliminating implicit trust and continuously validating every stage of digital interaction. In the most basic terms, Zero Trust asks this question for each access request: Should this user on this device be allowed to access this resource?
With Zero Trust implemented, all devices within or outside the organization’s network must be authenticated, authorized, and validated continuously before being granted access to data and applications. Zero Trust enables:
- continuous protection for an organization and its users
- enforcement of security policies consistently
- detection and rapid response to security threats
When it comes to device security, there are different challenges related to device types. Company-managed devices are the most controlled because these devices exist and typically remain in the office. Their security settings are typically locked and are reviewed continuously.
Personal devices, on the other hand, provide less security because these devices often serve a dual role of conducting both business and personal activities which can expose devices to greater threats. Similarly, any third-party devices (those used by auditors or contractors, for instance) are governed by those outside companies and not your own trusted IT resources. These cases truly rely on “trust” that the correct security protocols are implemented and managed.
When it comes to device security, Zero Trust is a broad topic that also includes tools like Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Mobile Device Management (MDM), and IT-managed device certificates. To learn about these topics or to review your current security posture, contact PCS today.