Diligent Cyber Security Begins When You Trust No One and Verify Everyone

“Zero trust is at the foundation of security transformation.” ~ Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO

Zero trust is a security model that, as the name suggests, trusts no one by default and demands strict access control. It does not allow umbrella access to network servers and restricts movement within strict confines of stated perimeter, that too for a limited timeframe. The Microsoft Zero Trust security model challenges the traditional security model that protects the network perimeter with strict trust principles, but beyond that it gives relatively free movement access.

In 2021, 72% of organizations had plans to adopt the Zero Trust approach. ~ Statista

Zero Trust brings down the cost of a data breach by $1.76 million. ~ IBM

Close to 60% of SMEs in the UK and US are on their way to pursue a Zero Trust program. ~ Jumpcloud

Key Principles and Pillars of Microsoft Zero Trust Model

Zero trust model helps modern enterprises build an effective and adaptive security model that is particularly designed to meet the complex needs of today’s hybrid workplace while protecting enterprise security across the key technology pillars, based on the three guiding principles of the model — verify explicitly, grant least privileged access, and assume breach.

Infrastructure Monitoring

Infrastructure

  • Monitor workloads and flag any abnormal behavior
  • Assign a compliance policy to every newly created workload
  • Provide identity and limited conditional access only to users who need it for work
  • Block and alert any unauthorized deployments
  • Leverage granular visibility and access controls across workloads
  • Use network segmentation and other tools to segment workloads
Endpoint Threat Protection

Devices

  • Register all devices or endpoints with cloud identity provider
  • Grant access to compliant devices only
  • Enforce DLP policies on all endpoints
  • Enable endpoint threat protection
  • Ensure gated access control for both enterprise devices and BYOD
Application Security

Applications

  • Gain data and activity visibility in apps
  • Restrict usage of unapproved apps
  • Implement policies to protect sensitive data and activities
  • Deploy stringent conditional access and verification for all apps
  • Use cloud app security and similar tools to strengthen protection
  • Monitor and assess security posture of the cloud environment
Identity Management

Identity

  • Enable strong authentication
  • Ensure conditional access is compliant
  • Grant the least privileged access
Data Management

Data

  • Know your data
  • Take measures to prevent data loss
  • Protect your organization data
  • Govern your data and sensitive labels
Network Segmentation

Networks

  • Network segmentation
  • Threat protection
  • Encryption

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Breakdown: The Zero Trust Security Architecture

Zero Trust Architecture

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  • Identities identity authentication
  • Multi-Factor
    Authentication
  • Organizational Cybersecurity Policy Organizational
    Policy
  • Classify,
    Label
    encrypt
  • Data Data Classification
  • User / Session
    Risk

  • Security Policy
    Enforcement

    Real-time Policy
    evaluation

  • Apps Security Policy Enforcement
  • Device Risk
    State
  • Device inventory
  • Devices Application Security Monitoring
  • Threat
    Intelligence IT Device Security
  • Threat
    Protection
  • Threat Intelligence Infrastructure
  • Network Security Monitoring Network
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  • Devices

    Application Security Monitoring

  • Identities

    identity authentication

  • footer form

    Device inventory

  • footer form

    Device Risk   
    State

  • footer form

    User / Session   
    Risk

  • footer form

    Multi-Factor   
    Authentication

  • Threat   
    Intelligence

    IT Device Security

  • Security Policy   
    Enforcement

    Real-time Policy   
    evaluation

  • Organizational Cybersecurity Policy

    Organizational  
    Policy

  • footer form

    Threat  
    Protection

  • footer form

    Classify,  
    Label  
    encrypt

  • Network Security Monitoring

    Network

  • Threat Intelligence

    Infrastructure

  • Security Policy Enforcement

    Apps

  • Data Classification

    Data

Zero Trust Deployment for Microsoft 365 Ecosystem

While Microsoft 365 is fundamentally designed with key security practices and data protection capabilities to ensure a Zero Trust environment, you can further extend many of the existing capabilities to protect your SaaS apps and data. Here’s how Zero Trust can be deployed from the bottom up to provide comprehensive, end-to-end protection.

Protect and govern sensitive data
SharePoint sites, Teams, Power BI, Exchange Online
On-premises file shares and SharePoint server

Microsoft 365 productivity apps:

  • Word
  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • Outlook
Endpoint devices: Windows & macOS
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (SaaS app data classification & protection)

Pilot and deploy classification, labeling, information protection, and data loss prevention (DLP)

Create auto labeling rules

Create data loss prevention policies

Review/add sensitive information types and create sensitivity labels

Define data handling standards

Define data sensitivity schema

Defend against threats
 
Monitor device risk and compliance to security baselines
Create Defender for Cloud Applications policies to protect access and use of SaaS applications

Defender for Identity

Defender for Microsoft Office 365

Defender for Endpoint

Defender for Cloud Applications

Pilot and deploy M365 Defender

Deploy Microsoft Intune configuration profiles to harden devices against threats

Zero trust foundation

Configure Enterprise (recommend) Zero Trust identity and device access policies
Require healthy and compliant endpoints

Configure compliance policies
To be sure endpoints meet minimum requirements

Enroll endpoints into management

Configure starting point Zero Trust identity and device access policies
Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication and configure app protection policies that don’t require managing devices

Add SaaS apps to Microsoft Azure Active Directory or Microsoft Azure AD and include these in the scope of Multi-Factor Authentication policies

Configure cloud identity (cloud only, hybrid with PHS, hybrid with PTA, or federated)

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Microsoft Zero Trust Security Delivered by Cloud4C

Implementing a Zero Trust strategy is not enough to enhance your organization’s security posture. Cloud4C, as a leading Microsoft Gold Partner, is dedicated to provide you with the best-in-class Zero Trust solutions for both on-premises and cloud Microsoft environments.

Fast Response Time

Fast response times

Unmatched outcomes, high cybersecurity ROI

Advanced 24/7 Cybersecurity Support

24x7 expert support

Advanced Zero Trust security for workspace, workloads, and assets

Trusted Cybersecurity Partner

Scalable, secure growth

Trusted Azure Partner with world-class cybersecurity expertise

Why Choose Cloud4C for your Enterprise Cybersecurity Transformation?

Leading Cloud Services Provider

Trusted, the world’s largest application-focused managed cloud service providers and one of the leading managed cybersecurity companies.

Global Clients

Serving 400+ enterprises including 60+ Fortune 500 organizations in 26 countries across Americas, Europe, Middle East, and APAC for 12+ years

Cybersecurity Controls

40+ Security Controls, 25+ Centers of Excellence, 2000+ Global Cloud Experts

Cybersecurity Frameworks

7 Security frameworks utilizing the MITRE ATT & CK, CIS Critical Security Controls, and more.

Cybersecurity Monitoring Program

Comprehensive 24x7 cybersecurity monitoring programs

Automated Security Solutions

Automated solutions for security threats prediction, detection, and response: Advanced Managed Detection and Response Solutions.

Managed SOC Services

Global expertise in managed SOC (Security Operations Center) services and solutions.

Cybersecurity Consulting and Assessment

Dedicated cybersecurity consulting, cybersecurity assessment, and audit report offerings.

Cybersecurity Incident and Response Team

Advanced Cloud4C Cybersecurity Incident and Response (CSIRT) team.

Threat Intelligence Platforms

Threat intelligence powered by industry-leading platforms such as Microsoft, OSINT, STIX&TAXI, MISP, and more.

Threat Management Expertise

Considerable threat management expertise in securing large and complex environments, using advanced functionalities of top-notch and leading industry tools as well as Cloud-Native Security tools.

SIEM SOAR Solutions

Experience in deploying and managing robust SIEM - helping enterprises proactively assess vulnerabilities and automate incident response.

Microsoft Zero Trust Security - FAQs

  • What is Zero Trust Security in Azure?

    -

    Microsoft’s Zero Trust Security is neither a product nor a solution. Zero Trust approach is a strategy developed by Microsoft to protect enterprise and customer data. Zero Trust Security follows a ‘trust no one, verify everyone’ approach as it secures every aspect of a digital estate on the basis of trusted user identities.

  • What are the three principles of Zero Trust Security?

    -

    Zero Trust security follows three key trust principles following the NIST guidelines—continuous and explicit verification, least privileged access, and assume breach which translates to always verify every access request from users, shrink down the blast radius by granting just enough access to users, and be always prepared for a breach to minimize impact on the organization, its systems and infrastructure.

  • What does Zero Trust prevent?

    -

    Zero Trust security prevents any attempt to access enterprise data or resources from inside or outside through constant verification as it trusts no one by default. Thus, it secures an organization's data, applications, IT infrastructure, endpoints, and systems from any security breach.

  • How relevant is Zero Trust in today’s environment?

    -

    Besides enhancing the security posture significantly, Zero Trust greatly brings down the cost and complexity of cybersecurity for the business and IT leaders by implementing a set of principles and practices. As Microsoft Zero Trust strategy is powered by automation, orchestration, and visibility, it becomes more relevant in the evolving threat landscape in today's cloud than ever.

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