Since cyberattacks are becoming more complicated with advanced codes and AI, the traditional perimeter-based security models are of no use. It’s becoming harder to trust everything within the network while blocking just external threats. Nowadays, attackers are becoming smarter and using insider access to create internal threats. To overcome this, hosting providers are now using Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) to ensure that no user, device, or connection is automatically trusted even if they are inside or outside the network.
ZTA works on the simple principle of “Never trust, always verify”. With this approach, hosting providers are now using identity-based security, multi-layered authentication, and continuous monitoring to increase their security. This is necessary since the number of cyberattacks occurring from internal threats is increasing.
In this blog, we are going to look at Zero Trust Architecture for server management and how hosting providers can adapt to new security risks.
Chrome Extensions To Enforce Zero Trust Policies In Web Applications
Even though Zero Trust can be mainly used for servers, it isn’t limited to just that. Web applications can also use Zero Trust Architecture to manage cloud environments. For the browser, users can install a Chrome extension of a proxy service that integrates with Zero Trust principles to ensure all browser traffic is routed through a secure proxy server. This server verifies identities before allowing connections and can enhance security by supporting encrypted web traffic.
Moreover, there are certain enterprise-grade proxy extensions that can easily integrate with Zero Trust Network Access solutions to ensure that only authorized users can access specific web applications. This can help with real-time monitoring, encrypted browsing, URL filtering, and even blocking malicious sites even before the user interacts with them to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks and session hijacking.
Some Chrome extensions use strict cookie policies to prevent malicious scripts while others can integrate with zero-trust network access solutions to ensure only authorized users can connect to cloud-hosted servers within the browser. On the other hand, Google’s Safe Browsing API integrations can also help with flagging any phishing attempts directly within Chrome.
Get exclusive access to all things tech-savvy, and be the first to receive
the latest updates directly in your inbox.
How Zero Trust Transforms Server Security
As discussed before, zero trust works on the principle of not trusting anyone. It’s not about preventing access but rather verifying each attempt to access a device or network; instead of simply assuming that a verified user or device should have unlimited access, zero trust makes sure that there is strict verification at every step.
Zero trust works by giving the least privileged access to the users. This means that users and applications only get the permissions they need and nothing more. If someone requires access to a specific database, they won’t automatically get access like usual; everything will be logged and monitored for continuous verification.
Many hosting providers are also integrating Multi-factor authentication (MFA), biometric verification, and more to enhance their security even more. This ensures that even if their credentials get compromised, the attacker cannot get access without passing the additional verifications.
Another way Zero Trust improves security is through micro-segmentation. Instead of treating a data server as a single unit, it further breaks down the unit into smaller zones each with its own verification criteria. This ensures that even if the attacker gains access into one part of the server, they will struggle to access it entirely.
AI-Powered Threat Detection And Continuous Monitoring
Zero Trust can also detect and respond to threats other than just blocking access. Hosting providers can use AI within zero-trust solutions to analyze patterns and detect any unusual activity that may indicate a breach or insider threat.
For example, if a developer suddenly accesses a critical system from an unfamiliar location, it can trigger an automatic security alert that forces additional verification before access is granted. Zero Trust solutions can also look for any compromised details and prevent stolen logins from being used within the network.
On top of this, they can also monitor internal network traffic and spot any lateral movements and privilege escalation attempts that can make it harder for attackers to move within cloud-hosted environments.
Regulatory Compliance And Zero Trust Adoption
Zero Trust is also becoming a necessity for compliance; new regulations such as NIST’s Zero Trust framework and GDPR’s strict data protection rules are motivating hosting providers to adopt strict access controls and encryption policies.
Many industries are already following the footsteps of zero trust to handle sensitive data securely. Industries such as healthcare, finance and accounting, and e-commerce require hosting providers to offer Zero Trust-based solutions to protect their data and also gain a competitive edge.
To sum up, Zero Trust Architecture is now a necessity since cyberattacks are evolving. Hosting providers need to understand its principles and implement them as soon as possible to adapt to security risks in the coming years.
