Zero trust is a security and authentication model that eliminates the assumption of trust and shifts the focus from a traditional security parameter, like a VPN or firewall, to the individual user. Nearly all (92 percent) cybersecurity professionals agree that it’s the best network security approach that exists. In this article, we’ll evaluate the top nine zero trust solutions and help you decide which is right for your organization.
StrongDM manages and audits access to infrastructure.
- Role-based, attribute-based, & just-in-time access to infrastructure
- Connect any person or service to any infrastructure, anywhere
- Logging like you've never seen
Struggling to maintain a consistent security posture across your organization's diverse infrastructure? You're not alone. The challenges of policy enforcement in the era of on-premises systems, multiple cloud environments, and ever-changing compliance requirements can lead to security gaps and potential threats. But fear not, there's a solution on the horizon.
In this dynamic digital landscape, enforcing security policies is no small feat. However, the adoption of context-based access controls presents a transformative approach that dynamically adjusts security policies based on contextual parameters such as device posture and geo-location, significantly enhancing security and compliance. Join us as we delve into the intricacies of context-based access controls, exploring their benefits and how solutions like the StrongDM empower organizations to navigate the complexities of modern infrastructure.
The Challenges of Policy Enforcement
Modern infrastructure, including on-premises systems, multiple cloud environments, and evolving compliance requirements, have complicated the task of maintaining a consistent security posture. Organizations are challenged to enforce security policies effectively across their entire infrastructure, which can lead to gaps in security and expose the organization to potential threats.
Additionally, there is no straightforward method to manage security policies across various platforms and services, resulting in inconsistencies and inefficiencies in policy administration. This fragmentation and lack of seamless enforcement lead to non-compliance with regulatory standards, which increases the risk of security breaches and exposes the organization to potential fines and penalties.
What Are Context-Based Access Controls?
Context-based access controls refer to a dynamic and adaptive approach to managing security policies in modern infrastructure. Addressing challenges in enforcing consistent security across diverse platforms, these policies consider factors such as device posture and geo-location to adjust access controls dynamically. By narrowing access based on contextual parameters, they reduce the attack surface, enhance security, and streamline policy administration, ensuring compliance in evolving environments.
Embracing Context-Based Access Controls
To address security access concerns, organizations must adopt a more dynamic and context-aware approach to access management. Context-based access controls offer a range of benefits that can significantly enhance security and compliance. By narrowing the aperture for access, these policies ensure that only the necessary resources are accessible to the right users under the right conditions, thereby reducing the overall attack surface.
Context-based policies enable organizations to quickly adapt to changing business environments and emerging security threats by considering the device posture, geo-location, and more to dynamically adjust controls and maintain optimal security.
This approach also reduces administrative overhead by providing a more streamlined and automated method for managing access, simplifying the process of defining and enforcing policies across diverse environments. By continuously evaluating the context and adjusting access accordingly, these policies ensure that organizations remain compliant and be confident with the controls in place.
Implementing Context-Based Policies with StrongDM
To operationalize context-based access controls, organizations need robust tools that can handle the complexity of modern infrastructures. StrongDM introduces the Strong Policy Engine, which allows customers to define context-aware policies against StrongDM resources. This enables:
- Enforcement with justification or MFA: Users can be required to provide justification or complete multi-factor authentication (MFA) to gain access to sensitive resources, ensuring that access is granted only when necessary and secure.
- Context-based signals for granular control: Access can be restricted based on context signals like device posture, geography, and IP. Coupled with continuous assessment, this further enhances security and considers the broader context of access requests.
See It in Action
Moving to Zero Trust Continuous Authorization
Implementing context-based access controls is a critical step towards achieving continuous authorization and embracing Zero Trust. By continuously evaluating the context of access requests and adjusting permissions accordingly, organizations can ensure that access is granted only when it is truly needed and under secure conditions. This proactive approach to security significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches, paving the way for a more secure and compliant future.
The adoption of context-based access is a necessity in the face of evolving security challenges. By leveraging tools like the Strong Policy Engine, organizations can effectively implement these controls, ensuring a more secure, compliant, and agile security posture in today's complex digital landscape.
Want to see StrongDM in action? Book a demo.
About the Author
đź’™ this post?
Then get all that StrongDM goodness, right in your inbox.
You May Also Like
Both AWS Systems Manager (SSM) Session Manager and StrongDM are solutions for gaining remote access to critical infrastructure. Yet, while they share some of the same capabilities required of an enterprise access management platform, the execution and the ultimate goals they accomplish for security and compliance teams are very different.
Unauthorized access—the unauthorized entry or use of an organization's systems, networks, or data by individuals without permission—is a common way for bad actors to exfiltrate data, inject malicious code, and take advantage of all types of breaches, and can have severe consequences for an enterprise and its customers.
Financial services companies handle a vast amount of sensitive data, including the personal and financial information of their customers. This makes them a prime target for hackers and cybercriminals who want to steal that data. Hackers are constantly finding new ways to break through the walls of enterprise environments. If successful, they can cause serious problems like identity theft or fake transactions, impacting individuals and companies financially.
Weak passwords are the third most common attack vector for malicious actors — and often the most difficult for enterprises to control since individual employees typically choose their own passwords. Effectively managing passwords is critical in safeguarding your organization’s assets, maintaining regulatory compliance, and minimizing security risks. In this article, we’ll share 13 password management best practices that will help you keep your systems and data safe from password-related attacks.