In recent years, we are witnessing an exponential rise in ransomware attacks globally. As ransomware attacks continue to rise, the online security of organizations is at substantial risk as they don’t have adequate security measures to control data breaches. Such cyber-attacks are soaring as hackers are becoming more sophisticated with every passing day. Gartner predicts that the financial costs of cyber-physical systems attacks may exceed $50 billion by 2023 which might result in some casualties.
What is a Ransomware Attack?
Ransomware is a malware attack by unscrupulous hackers who encrypt and lock data, corrupt important files and demand a ransom to unlock and decrypt the information. Such hackers take advantage of this opportunity to intrude into end-users’ digital devices, exploiting software vulnerabilities and infecting their computer systems and network with viruses or spyware.
Ransomware attacks are growing at an alarming rate and have become a major threat to several business enterprises worldwide. These attacks range from major healthcare facilities to big technology firms. However, no industry is completely safe from cyber intrusion, and companies need to be extra cautious while administering proper security measures within their infrastructure. Such precautionary measures will help their security teams to avoid severe threats on the horizon and distance themselves from vicious attacks.
How does Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) work?
Given the rise in ransomware attacks globally, most organizations are relying on a Zero Trust model to prevent such attacks and protect their on-premises and cloud-based assets. Zero Trust Network Access is a software-defined perimeter that ensures secure access for privileged users only to corporate resources and limits the impact of ransomware attacks. The Zero Trust model enables IT managers to segregate user access, such that end-users can access only specific business resources without being exposed to the entire network.
Besides, the Zero Trust model helps to minimize the austerity of vicious ransomware attacks and protects users from getting entrapped in such attacks. In case of any vulnerability, this model limits hackers’ access to the entire corporate network and prevents data leakage. With an ideal Zero Trust solution like Accops offerings, users can reckon that their network gateway is secure enough to access crucial virtual applications and reduces the impact of online threats considerably.
Positive Impact of ZTNA as a Proactive Defense Mechanism
With every attack, unscrupulous hackers are becoming sassier to exploit the internal resources of an organization. Whenever an organization implements a Zero Trust model, it substantially reduces the chances of attacks by such hackers on their corporate network.
The Zero Trust approach is specially crafted to obstruct the vicious attempts of such hackers and provide secure access for end-users to corporate resources. By implementing such an uncompromisable solution, organizations can clearly steer away from exposing their essential workspaces and networks to notorious hackers.
In the Zero Trust model, the concept of ‘Trust No One’ creates intricate barriers for attackers and does not allow them to access user credentials or sensitive information. Upon implementation, organizations can use the three AAAs of Identity and Access Management (IAM) i.e., authentication, authorization and accounting through Identity Providers and micro-segmentation, which adds an additional layer of security for end-users against ransomware attacks.
How does ZTNA boost the security posture of a business?
- Segregation of Trust Groups
IT managers of organizations can divide the end-users into different segments known as “Trust Groups,” which restricts their access to specific resources only. This way users have better visibility of accessible pathways, and they can steer away from malicious attackers who are constantly vying harder to access critical corporate resources. - Proper Network Demarcation
In a Zero Trust model, an organization can granularly control traffic flow, enable secure network access to users and monitor the corporate network efficiently. By allowing access to corporate resources and applications to specific members only, the impact of sudden cyber-attacks is significantly reduced thereby providing a secure solution for a distributed workforce. - Infrastructure Maintenance
A Zero Trust model allows online security experts of organizations to centrally monitor and manage internal corporate networks efficiently. Streamlined data processing with analysis tools enables them to enhance network discernability, detect unknown cyber threats, and strengthen compliance reporting.
How does ZTNA boost the security posture of a business?
In the current technological era, organizations can no longer trust their employees’ devices and networks without conducting a high-intensity identity check. As malicious hackers continue to disrupt digital operations and damage sensitive information of businesses worldwide, the Zero Trust approach is an ideal security protocol to stay protected from online hazards. Hence, most organizations are progressing towards the Zero Trust security model with IAM.
Organizations are arming themselves with essential solutions and tools by implementing micro-segmentation to battle out security threats and ransomware attacks. They are creating an identity and context-based logical-access perimeter around their set of applications, authenticating only rightful users to access crucial resources, and monitoring their corporate networks carefully for a frictionless end-user experience.
To secure your business from ransomware attacks, check out our Accops solutions and discover how you can benefit from ZTNA with IAM to secure your crucial corporate resources and end-user credentials. Nonetheless, this Zero Trust security model protects networks from ransomware, targeted attacks, and unauthorized exfiltration of sensitive data as it provides complete visibility, control, and threat inspection possibilities to end-users.