Does Zero Trust Improve Productivity?

By Zac Amos, Features Editor, ReHack

Zero trust has gained significant attention as an effective approach to secure digital assets. It’s a security framework that’s also believed to impact employee productivity. Here’s what to know about this methodology and how it can strengthen worker output.

What Is Zero Trust?

Zero trust is a cybersecurity approach that challenges the traditional security model, which often relies on perimeter defenses. One survey found that 51% of businesses have adopted a zero-trust network design.

Zero trust advocates a “never trust, always verify” philosophy, where trust is never assumed. All stages of network access require verification.

This approach secures networks by continuously monitoring and authenticating every user and device attempting to connect. Here are the fundamental principles and characteristics of zero trust:

• Verification: Trust is never assumed in a zero-trust model. It requires verification for anyone or anything attempting to access resources or systems within the network. This involves a robust authentication and authorization process.
• Microsegmentation: The network is divided into small, isolated sections with their own access controls. Lateral movement is limited, making it more challenging for threats to spread.
• Least privilege access: Users and devices are granted the minimum access required to do their jobs. This limits the potential damage to an account or device that is compromised.
• Continuous monitoring: About 38% of adult internet users in the U.S. are more willing to disclose personal information with digital companies they trust. Zero-trust networks continuously monitor all activity and apply real-time analytics to detect and respond to threats. This ongoing monitoring helps identify and address security issues promptly.
• User and device authentication: Every user and device must authenticate themselves before accessing network resources, even inside the corporate network. This ensures that only authorized entities gain access.
• Adaptive security: Zero trust adapts to changing conditions, such as user behavior and threat intelligence. It can adjust access privileges based on real-time risk assessments.
• Continuous updates: It is not a one-time implementation but an ongoing process. Zero trust requires constant updates and adjustments to address evolving threats.

Enhancing Productivity

There has been a significant push toward zero-trust security over the last six months due to several high-profile security incidents.

Zero trust can improve productivity in several ways, provided it’s implemented thoughtfully and with consideration for an organization’s specific needs. Here are some key ways zero trust can enhance productivity:

• Secure remote work: Zero trust allows remote and hybrid employees to access corporate resources from anywhere securely. This flexibility eliminates geographical constraints and can boost productivity by enabling remote work without compromising security.
• Enhance user experience: Zero trust often incorporates features like single sign-on (SSO) and multifactor authentication (MFA). These tools simplify access to various applications and resources, reducing employee friction. An enhanced user experience can save time and improve productivity.
• Reduced downtime: Continuously monitoring and verifying network access enables zero trust to reduce the risk of security incidents. This proactive approach can significantly decrease downtime caused by breaches, ensuring employees remain focused on their tasks.
• Prevention of unauthorized access: It strictly controls access to resources, preventing unauthorized access. This means only authorized users and devices can access specific resources. Zero trust can help employees work without the distraction of dealing with security incidents.
• Improve data protection: Zero trust strongly emphasizes protecting data. Encryption and access controls ensure sensitive information remains confidential. This can boost employee confidence in handling sensitive data, allowing them to work more efficiently.

Benefits of Zero Trust

Zero trust can improve productivity, but its impact varies depending on how an organization implements and integrates it into its existing workflows. Here are some benefits:

• Empowered workforce: Properly training and educating employees about zero-trust principles empowers them to use new security measures effectively. Companies can maintain productivity without disruptions caused by security breaches when workers understand and adhere to security protocols.
• Streamlined process: Zero trust encourages organizations to streamline their security processes. Straightforward access policies and automated verification lets employees access the resources they need more efficiently. This reduces the time wasted on navigating complex security measures.
• Adaptability to changing threats: Zero trust often evolves to address new cybersecurity threats effectively. This adaptability ensures employees can continue their work without significant disruption caused by emerging threats.
• Compliance and audit benefits: It simplifies complying with regulatory requirements and passing security audits. This can save time and resources that might otherwise be spent on these activities, contributing to increased productivity.

The Role of Training

Training when implementing a zero-trust model is pivotal to ensuring employees understand the fundamental shift toward continuous verification and strict access controls.

Cybersecurity awareness programs and hands-on instruction raise employee awareness about evolving threats. It equips them with the skills to use new security measures like multifactor authentication effectively, which can stop 99.9% of attacks on users’ accounts and educate them about phishing prevention and incident response.

Moreover, training encourages a balanced perspective, helping employees recognize that security measures are in place to safeguard the organization and their interests without excessively hindering their work.

Implementing Zero Trust

Cybersecurity will remain a top priority as businesses navigate the digital age. The question of whether zero trust improves productivity is complex and multifaceted. Each organization must carefully assess its unique needs and challenges to determine the best approach.

About the Author

Zac Amos is the Features Editor at ReHack, where he covers cybersecurity and the tech industry. For more of his content, follow him on Twitter or LinkedIn