Zero trust is quickly becoming the most desirable security architecture, because it helps organisations drastically reduce cybercrime.
Regrettably, cyberattacks increase in frequency and diversity annually. Furthermore, the World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report 2024 suggests recent technological advances such as AI and a globally fragmented approach to regulation may increase threats.
As a result, it is more important than ever that organisations embrace the best possible prevention methods available to them. Fortunately, zero trust offers a multitude of benefits that could prevent cyberattacks.
What is Zero Trust?
The core principle of zero trust is all connections and components of an organisation’s network are hostile, until proven otherwise. This includes internal and external traffic.
For instance, firewalls don’t inspect files upon delivery. Instead, connections end and then inspection occurs. This can prevent ransomware, malware, and other threats.
Benefits of Zero Trust Architecture
Zero trust offers considerable benefits that can easily offset initial costs. As an example, it uses micro-segmentation that prevents total network penetration.
Users employ multifactor verification to access apps and resources. This restricts iInappropriate access and lateral movement. The architecture continually reasses user access as contexts change too. Additional benefits include:
Decreases Possibility of Undetected Intruders
Since zero trust fragments data and demands user verification every time, cybercriminals cannot access data or infect other resources. Every connection is one-to-one and users and apps are not visible to the internet.
Quicker Response
In the unlikely chance an organisation should be compromised, the impact and severity is much less. Organisations can quickly isolate the threat, which reduces cleanup time and costs.
Better Managed Cloud and Container Environments
Zero trust security policies don’t rely on IP addresses, ports, and protocols. Environments change, but protection remains constant since it is tied to the workload, not the location.
Cleaner Security Environment
Net zero highlights how your organisation communicates and which apps and systems it uses. This often leads to a reduction in network complexity and an increase in user satisfaction.
Strengthened Compliance
Zero trust segmentation allows an organisation to isolate sensitive data through granular controls. It also makes user and work connections invisible to others. This may help an organisation with compliance needs and provide support during compliance audits.
Implementing Zero Trust
Many organisations realize zero trust architecture is wise, but they don’t know how to begin implementation. EarlyBirds understands this challenge. We collaborate with organisations to create a solid zero trust strategy which addresses all hardware, architectural, and software challenges.
Organisations can choose from one of four pathways to perfectly align with innovation needs. Each pathway offers the following benefits:
- Reduced cost of innovation
- Quick increases in innovation capability, when required
- Connections to the best Subject Matter Experts and innovators available
- Simple process
EarlyBirds Innovation Ecosystem
Our award-winning Innovation Ecosystem earned us the title of Global Open Innovation Platform of the Year 2023 and 2024. It allows both innovation and strategic thinking in all areas of a business, including zero trust architecture.
We unite Innovators, Early Adopters, and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to fuel rapid innovative adoption and business evolution. Early Adopters are leaders eager to identify new and disruptive technologies. They want to seize opportunities, solve business challenges, or create new products and services.
Our Ecosystem has a data pool of over 5.0 million global innovations across many industries with solutions that may already address your organisation’s challenges. Alternatively, organisations can list their challenges and request solutions from innovators.
EarlyBirds Ecosystem Maps
The EarlyBirds Cyber Security Innovation Map can help Early Adopter organisations accelerate technology advancement in cybersecurity, including adopting and applying a zero trust policy.
Mapping innovation is the process of collecting and evaluating information regarding the external and internal factors affecting innovation. It is an ongoing process that provides a comprehensive and clear view of a company’s innovation ecosystem. This pinpoints potential collaborators and partners.
EarlyBirds Explorer Program
The Explorer Program is tailored towards those who need innovation as a service to supplement existing innovation programs, or to conduct innovation projects when required. It is designed to speed up the process of technological innovation for the organisation as a service.
The Explorer program includes several features including quarterly and monthly innovation days; regular webinars to help stimulate innovation in the organisation; a focus on types of innovations; a platform enterprise license; and a nominated SME for the business.
EarlyBirds Challenger Program
The Challenger Program focuses on a single organisational or technical challenge. It looks for the most relevant innovators that meet your organisational, technical, and risk requirements.
The program is run by an EarlyBirds Subject Matter Expert who identifies your key issues. The SME then searches the data pool to identify and curate options for further evaluation. The most suitable option is chosen and the SME drafts a roadmap of next steps, POC, trial, or implementation.
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EarlyBirds can help your organisation strengthen their cybersecurity through zero trust architecture. We’ve helped those in the Public Sector, Food Industry, Retail, Healthcare, Operations & Maintenance, Manufacturing, Finance & Insurance, Energy, Education, Cybersecurity, and many other industries. Let us guide you towards appropriate partnerships that can strengthen your cybersecurity.
Organisations can register independently at https://earlybirds.io/. Alternatively, those unsure of which option is best suited to their needs can schedule a consultation. We use an individualized approach to ensure you find the best possible solutions.