Protecting your network security for your business demands a multi-layered approach, with the best zero trust solutions being a part of it. Access verification is an important component of ensuring your network is secure from every angle. Of course, there are many ways you could go about this, but a zero-trust architecture supported by next-generation firewall (NGFW) tech is comprehensive enough.
Although zero trust comes with many layers to them, you can’t have this conversation without considering firewall solutions. The tech isn’t hard to come by, but it’s easy to get lost in all of the technical details during your search.
Prioritizing identity and access management, any business looking into their network security should get familiar with what zero trust offers. In this article, you’ll learn about the best zero trust solutions and where NGFWs fit into the list.
Understanding the Scope of Zero Trust Security
If you aren’t already familiar with the concept of zero trust, it works on the basis of verifying every request that comes through the network. One of the best ways to avoid cyber security risks is to never give them a chance in the first place.
Here are a few details to help streamline your understanding of zero trust architecture:
- Continuous authentication to minimize activity from unauthorized sources
- Firewalls enforce zero trust principles with the likes of real-time monitoring and granular controls for access
- Validate every device requesting access regardless of its location
- A core component of helping businesses limit their internal data exposure
Now that you have an overall view of what zero trust stands for, it’s time to look at the role of NGFWs. Without the best firewall solution for your organization, you won’t be able to truly enforce a zero-trust network.
NGFWs and the Best Zero Trust Solutions
Taking the many features of firewall technologies into account, businesses have a lot to consider. Among the many other cyber security services you could use, firewalls are unmatched in more ways than one.
Many of them come with features like intrusion prevention, malware detection, and even more recent AI integrations. Regardless of the unique demands of a company’s network security, many firewall solutions are more than adaptable. The specs in firewall tech can seem neverending, which is why it’s helpful to focus on some of the most interesting features.
1. Granular Access Control
This focuses on enforcing specific rules for access to the network. More specifically, it’s common to find parameters like job role, user identity, device information, and more. Not only does it help reduce the risk of cyber security threats in general, but insider threats as well.
2. Advanced Threat Detection and Prevention
You’ll find these features to be necessary if you’re looking to protect your network from malicious activity. With the help of intrusion prevention systems (IPS) and malware detection, you can prevent breach attempts in real-time.
3. Network and Micro-Segmentation
Whether you’re managing everything in-house or working with network security service providers, segmentation is crucial. These efforts are to hopefully isolate potential threats rather than giving them free range to the entire network. Make use of finely controlled micro-segmentation to focus security measures on specific apps or devices.
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re focused solely on cloud network security or extensive hardware, understanding zero trust architecture is a must. This may fall heavily on the workloads of IT teams, but it’s equally important for the likes of business owners as well.
It’s a topic that can lead to a lot of questions, showcasing exactly why working with the experts is advisable. We’re always here with the support you need to take the best course of action. Reach out if you’d like to learn more about the best zero trust solutions and the tech that goes along with them.
