Zero Trust Access

5 Common Objections to Zero Trust Segmentation

Instasafe

Sep 29, 2022 • 3 min read

Common Objections to Zero Trust Segmentation

Zero Trust Segmentation is a cyber security architecture that believes in the “never trust, always verify” approach. This network security model allows you to segment your network up to individual workloads and provide limited access to users.

Zero Trust Segmentation adoption thus Ensuring multi-factor authentication, Zero Trust Segmentation protects your organisation’s critical assets from potential cyber risks.

However, despite its extensive benefits, many organisations are reluctant to adopt Zero Trust Network Segmentation as they find its implementation difficult. Below are the 5 common objections to Zero Trust Segmentation and the ways to overcome each.

5 Common Objections to Zero Trust Segmentation

Zero Trust Segmentation Will Be Slow and Complex

Many organisations believe that employing Zero Trust Segmentation is a complex procedure that delivers value over a long time.

However, organisations must comprehend that segmentation moves up to the server or host level from the firewall concept. There is no need to segment everything while implementing the Zero Trust Segmentation architecture. Rather the network security agent provides you with granular control.

Zero Trust Segmentation Requires Constant Management

Some network security techniques involve one-time configuration and deployment. Once they are deployed, they do not require ongoing management. So, organisations object to the Zero Trust Security model as it does not have a set-and-forget approach and requires constant administration to ensure complete network security.

To overcome this challenge, you can carry out routine maintenance tasks and inspections in cyber security practices. Deployment of automation tools can assist the security teams to check device updates and change security configurations. You can also use monitoring tools, notifications and alerts to tackle cyber security threats.

There is Less Technical Staff Available

A valid concern of many organisations when it comes to Zero Trust Segmentation is that there is an acute shortage of technical staff, especially in medium enterprises. Hence, tackling cyber security risks can become a challenge.

However, these entities need to understand that implementation of Zero Trust Segmentation does not require a sophisticated technical staff. Instead, the architecture helps your staff to develop technical expertise by offering higher granularity and segmentation.

Who Will Own the Responsibility for Implementing Zero Trust Segmentation?

This is another concern that companies often raise while deciding about implementing Zero Trust Segmentation. They are not clear whether the business unit, security teams or the application owner should own the responsibility for the architecture.

A definite answer to this objection is handing the segmentation task to the security teams. The security teams should be responsible to define firewall policies and implement Zero Trust Segmentation with the involvement of application owners and business entities.

Zero Trust Segmentation Hinders Regulatory Compliance

Many organisations have to comply with industry and government regulations to secure their data. Some organisations believe that configuring the network and implementing segmentation can make compliance with the rules difficult or inefficient.

This objection is not true, as Zero Trust Segmentation can actually make your organisation more compliant with the regulations without redesigning your network. With enhanced control over each segment, you can gain more visibility and decide what data moves through, ensuring complete data security.

Why Zero Trust Segmentation?

If you are wondering why Zero Trust segmentation, here is the answer. Cyber security threats can penetrate from anywhere- inside or outside the network. Implementation of a Zero Trust strategy can help track service and application-related risks, reducing the attack’s spread across the entire network. But, Zero Trust Segmentation is misunderstood by many businesses that are wary of changing their security model.

Below outlined are the benefits of implementing a Zero Trust model, which may help you alleviate misconceptions revolving around it:

Zero Trust Segmentation reduces the attack surface, restricting the attacker’s ability to move laterally within the network.
With the plethora of new devices, applications and services, Zero Trust Segmentation provides granular control over workloads and allows security teams to track data flow and detect malicious activities quickly.
Limiting the spread of cyber-attacks across cloud environments, servers and virtual machines, Zero Trust helps contain breaches in real-time and protect an organisation’s critical assets.
The Zero Trust Segmentation model provides increased visibility over user activity and allows maximum use of authentication while improving the cloud and on-premises security architecture.

Conclusion

Thus, Zero Trust Segmentation can be considered an effective security tool to secure your assets when cyber threats are rising. The architecture allows you to stay ahead of cyber attackers while improving regulatory compliance.