Network Security Technology-Zero Trust Technology System Research V2.0

1 Introduction

Driven by the wave of digitalization, enterprise information construction is developing rapidly, which not only greatly improves work efficiency and business innovation capabilities, but also brings unprecedented security challenges. In the past, enterprises relied on physical perimeter protection and virtual private networks (VPNs) to protect information resources. Security defense systems based on the "fortress" model seemed indestructible. However, with the flexibility of work patterns, the cloudification of enterprise resources, and the rise of mobile office and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) culture, this traditional security model has become insufficient.

2. Background of zero trust technology

2.1 Usage background and market status of VPN products

Since its inception, virtual private network (VPN) technology has been the standard way to remotely access corporate internal networks. It protects the security of data transmission over the public Internet through encrypted tunnels, providing users with a safe and reliable remote working solution. However, in today's network environment, VPN products face many challenges. Due to fixed encrypted channels and broad network access rights, VPNs cannot control user access in a fine-grained manner, and there is a risk of being exploited by internal threats. In addition, with the widespread application of cloud services, the complexity of VPN management is increasing day by day, user experience is affected, and security policies are difficult to unify, making the market's demand for more advanced solutions urgent.

2.1.2 Development and demand for enterprise IT informatization

The process of enterprise informatization can be traced back to the era of localized data centers, when all computing resources and data storage were strictly limited within the physical boundaries of the enterprise. With the development of cloud computing technology, enterprises have begun to migrate to the cloud and enjoy the convenience and flexibility brought by cloud platforms. Furthermore, the emergence of multi-cloud strategies makes enterprises no longer limited to a single cloud service provider. This series of changes has brought higher requirements for data security and access control. Enterprises must ensure the security of data and resources while ensuring flexibility and innovation.

2.1.2.2 Proposal of Zero Trust Technology

In the context of such technological evolution, the zero trust model emerged as the times require. Its core idea is to no longer assume that the internal network is safe. Any access request, whether originating from the internal network or the external network, needs to pass strict identity authentication and permission verification. This model adapts to the borderless network environment and meets the dual needs of enterprises for security and flexibility.

2.1.3 Introduction to the development of Google BeyondCorp

Google's BeyondCorp project is a practical example of the zero trust model, which marks the shift in enterprise security strategies from relying on network perimeter defense to a security strategy based on user and device trust. Google enables employees to securely access corporate resources no matter where they are, a strategy that greatly improves security and work efficiency.

2.1.4 NIST releases zero trust white paper

The Zero Trust white paper released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) further defines the concept of Zero Trust and provides a framework for three major technical solutions: continuous security monitoring, the principle of least privilege, and micro-segmentation strategies. This white paper has important guiding significance for understanding the principles and implementation strategies of zero trust.

The introduction of zero trust technology marks a fundamental shift in the security model, which reflects profound insights into changes in the network environment and the evolution of enterprise security needs. As more and more enterprises move to the cloud and adopt multi-cloud strategies, the technologies and practices related to the zero-trust security model will become an important part of the network security strategy. This background not only promotes innovation in security technology, but also provides enterprises with a new way of thinking to build a more secure and flexible IT environment.

3. Zero trust technology foundation

The zero trust security model is built on a series of innovative technologies that work together to form a powerful network security defense system. The key components of zero trust technology are detailed below.

3.1 Software Defined Perimeter (SDP)

Software-defined perimeter (SDP) is one of the core technologies for implementing zero-trust network access control. SDP creates a network architecture that makes all network resources invisible to unauthenticated users. It is based on dynamic, identity-based access control policies rather than traditional static network boundaries. SDP can ensure that authorized resources can be accessed only after users and devices pass identity authentication and context verification.

3.1.1 Software-defined perimeter (SDP) technology and its implementation principles

Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP) is an emerging network security concept that is designed to help enterprises securely manage complex, multi-cloud IT environments. The core principle of SDP is to ensure that network resources are only visible and accessible to authenticated and authorized users.

The biggest difference between SDP and traditional VPN is its "stealth" function. In a traditional VPN environment, once users connect to the network, they can usually see the entire network structure and many unnecessary resources. In an SDP environment, users can only see and access resources open to them. This minimal visibility principle significantly reduces the potential attack surface.

3.1.2 Security advantages of SDP

• Reduce attack surface: By minimizing the visibility of network resources, SDP effectively reduces the attack surface available to attackers.

• Adapt to modern ways of working: SDP is ideally suited to modern remote working models, supporting cloud services and mobile access without sacrificing security.

The implementation and management of SDP may be more complex than traditional network security solutions, but the security improvements it brings make this technology an important choice for modern enterprises, especially when adopting cloud services and supporting remote working models. As the boundaries of enterprise networks become increasingly blurred, SDP offers a viable solution

3.2 Identity-based authentication (IAM)

3.2.1 IAM

Identity and access management (IAM) is a critical part of managing user identities and permissions in a zero-trust architecture. IAM solutions include user authentication, authorization, role-based access control (RBAC), attribute-based access control (ABAC), and related policies and technologies. The IAM system can ensure that the right users access the right resources in the right way and at the right time.

3.2.2 Combination of dynamic permission control and trust

In the zero-trust model, permission control is no longer a one-time event, but a dynamic process that requires continuous verification. This dynamic permission control combines contextual information such as user behavior, location, device status, etc. to achieve fine-grained access control. This approach not only enhances security but also increases the flexibility and precision of access control.

3.2.3 User behavior analysis

User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) uses advanced analytics to detect potential security threats by learning and evaluating users' normal behavioral patterns. UEBA can identify anomalous behavior, such as unusual login attempts or atypical data access patterns, which can help promptly detect insider threats or compromised accounts.

3.3 Micro-isolation technology (MSG)

Microsegmentation is a technology that strengthens internal network security by dividing the network into multiple small security zones. Resources within each zone are only accessible to authenticated and authorized users. Micro-isolation technology is an important means of protecting east-west traffic (internal network traffic). It can limit the lateral movement of attackers in the internal network.

3.4 Terminal login and security

3.4.1 The importance of multi-client support

In a multi-device and multi-platform working environment, multi-client support becomes extremely important in order to maintain user productivity and meet security requirements. Endpoint security solutions under the zero trust model must be able to support a variety of operating systems and devices while providing consistent security policies and user experience.

3.4.2 Terminal security environment detection technology

In a zero-trust architecture, the security posture of an endpoint device is one of the key factors in granting access. Terminal security environment detection technology can evaluate whether the device complies with security policies, such as whether it is installed

whether the latest patches are installed, whether unsafe services are running, etc.

3.4.3 Login security and multi-factor authentication

To further enhance security, multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires users to provide two or more verification factors during the login process. These factors typically include knowledge factors (such as passwords), possession factors (such as mobile phones) and inherent factors (such as fingerprints).

3.4.4 EDR

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a key technology in a zero-trust architecture for detecting and responding to endpoint threats. EDR solutions collect and analyze endpoint data in real time to quickly detect and combat malware and other threats.

3.4.5 Sandbox

Sandbox technology is used in zero-trust architecture to isolate potentially malicious programs and prevent them from affecting the main operating system. By running and testing code or programs in an isolated environment, sandboxes prevent unknown or unverified software from causing harm to the system.

Through the implementation and integration of these basic technologies, the zero trust model can provide strong protection against the various security challenges faced by modern enterprises. Zero trust is not a single product or service, but a comprehensive security solution composed of multiple technologies and strategies designed to ensure the security and reliability of enterprise resources.

4. Network transmission and security

Network transmission security is an important part of ensuring that data is not intercepted, tampered with, or misused without authorization during transmission. As enterprises increasingly rely on networks for communication and data exchange, network transmission security has become a key component in the field of network security, especially in zero-trust architecture, which involves data encryption, transport layer security, network access control and other aspects.

4.1 Three-layer and seven-layer encryption scenarios

In the network model, layer 3 (network layer) and layer 7 (application layer) are the two key layers to achieve data encryption.

1. Third layer coverage:

   • This usually involves the IPsec protocol, which provides end-to-end data encryption at the network layer to ensure the security of data during transmission. IPsec is widely used in VPN connections to encrypt data so that it can be transmitted securely over public networks.

2. Second layer security:

   • Application layer encryption usually involves the HTTPS protocol, which combines the HTTP protocol with an SSL/TLS encryption layer. This encryption ensures the privacy and integrity of user data during interactions between the browser and the website.

In the zero trust model, the encryption of these two layers provides a double guarantee to protect data from being intercepted by external threats.

4.2 The importance of national secret algorithms

National cryptographic algorithms refer to cryptographic algorithms approved by the national cryptography management department and are usually used in the security field of government and critical infrastructure. In some countries, especially areas with strict requirements for data sovereignty, using national secret algorithms to encrypt data is an important means to protect national security, corporate confidentiality, and personal privacy.

1. Quantity protection：

   • The national secret algorithm provides an extra layer of protection for sensitive information, ensuring that even if the data is intercepted, it cannot be decrypted by unauthorized third parties.

2. Comprehension:

   • In terms of complying with the laws and regulations of a specific country or region, the use of national encryption algorithms is an important step in achieving data transmission compliance.

4.3 Combination of SD-WAN and Zero Trust

The combination of software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) technology and zero-trust architecture provides enterprises with a new network connection method that supports multi-cloud environments, optimizes network traffic, and improves connection flexibility and security.

1. Intelligent path selection:

   • SD-WAN technology can intelligently select the best data transmission path based on network conditions, increasing network reliability.

2. Integrated Security Policy:

   • Combined with Zero Trust principles, SD-WAN can enforce security policies at the connection level, such as automatically applying encryption and access controls.

4.4 Single package authentication technology

Single-packet authentication technology is a network access control technology that allows authentication at the level of individual network packets, which provides a highly secure method of network communication.

1. Enhanced security:

   • By verifying identity in every data packet, single-packet authentication technology greatly enhances network security and blocks unauthorized data flow.

2. Reduce open ports:

   • This technique reduces the number of ports that need to be opened, further narrowing the potential attack surface.

Network transmission and security play a vital role in the zero-trust architecture, which not only protects the security and privacy of data, but also supports complex enterprise network requirements. By implementing advanced encryption technologies and intelligent network solutions, enterprises can maintain strong security protections in a dynamic threat environment.

5. Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity refers to the activity of protecting networks and their services from all types of attacks, disruptions, or illegal access. In a zero-trust architecture, network security is not only about protecting network perimeters, but also includes monitoring and managing internal network traffic to prevent potential threats and insider attacks.

5.1 Network Traffic Analysis (NTA)

Network Traffic Analysis (NTA) is a security technology used to monitor and analyze network traffic in real time to detect and respond to suspicious activities. In a zero trust model, NTA is crucial because it helps identify potential security threats, even if they come from within the network.

1. Anomaly Detection:

   • NTA uses advanced analysis techniques, such as machine learning and behavioral analysis, to identify anomalous behavior in network traffic.

2. 胁识别：

   • By comparing traffic behavior to known threat patterns, NTA can identify emerging threats, including malware distribution and data exfiltration attempts.

3. 响应和缓解：

   • After detecting suspicious activity, NTA solutions can trigger automated responses, such as quarantining infected endpoints or alerting security teams for further investigation.

5.2 Remote Browser Isolation (RBI)

Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) is a technology that reduces network security risks by performing all web browsing activities in a remote environment to prevent malicious code from reaching the end user's device.

1. Reduce attack surface:

   • RBI reduces the attack surface by preventing potentially malicious code from being executed directly on user devices.

2. Improve user experience:

   • Users can access the web content they need without any hindrance, without risking malicious content.

3. Enhanced security:

   • By decoupling browsing activity from the corporate network environment, RBI provides an additional layer of security that helps defend against phishing and browser-based attacks.

5.3 Network Security Center

A Zero Trust Security Operations Center (SOC) is an integrated platform that combines the capabilities of a traditional SOC with Zero Trust principles to provide organizations with comprehensive network monitoring and security incident management.

1. Holding copy：

   • A Zero Trust SOC constantly monitors network activity to ensure that even the smallest abnormal behavior is detected.

2. Incident management and response:

   • When a threat is detected, SOC teams can respond quickly, using automated tools and protocols to mitigate and resolve security incidents.

3. Kyowa Hansaku for Information：

   • The SOC serves as an information sharing center, promoting collaboration and the exchange of best practices among different security teams.

4. Advancedness analysis：

   • Leveraging big data and machine learning technology, Zero Trust SOC can perform predictive analysis to predict and prevent possible future attacks.

Network security plays a core role in a zero-trust architecture. It not only focuses on the defense of external threats, but also includes real-time monitoring and analysis of internal network traffic to ensure the integrity and security of the network environment. As enterprise networks become increasingly complex, zero-trust cybersecurity strategies and solutions provide an effective means of protecting critical assets and maintaining business continuity.

6. User management and security control

In the zero-trust network framework, user management and security controls are core components, ensuring that only authorized users can access sensitive data and key resources. This process includes identity authentication, access rights management, user behavior monitoring, and the formulation and execution of security policies.

6.1 Easy Login (SSO)

Single Sign-On (SSO) is a user identity management solution that allows users to use one set of login credentials to access multiple applications.

1. User Experience:

   • SSO improves user experience and reduces password fatigue while reducing security risks arising from multiple logins.

2. Reduce credential exposure:

   • By reducing the number of passwords that need to be remembered, SSO helps reduce the likelihood of credential exposure.

3. Integration and policy alignment:

   • SSO can be combined with network access control protocols such as 802.1X to ensure the consistency and security of access policies.

6.2 Issuing and changing security policies on the operation and maintenance side

In order to quickly respond to security threats and change management needs, the zero trust framework supports automated policy distribution and updates.

1. Automation tool:

   • Automated tools can quickly issue and update security policies, reducing human errors and improving response times.

2. Agility :

   • Automated policy management allows organizations to flexibly adapt to new security threats and quickly deploy necessary protective measures.

3. Simple management:

   • Automated policy distribution simplifies security management, improves operation and maintenance efficiency, and allows the security team to focus on more complex security tasks.

6.3 User behavior audit and traceability

User behavior auditing is to monitor, record and analyze users' access to IT resources and operation activities, which is the key to ensuring compliance and security.

1. tubable copy:

   • Audit logs make user behavior traceable and help the security team trace the source when a security incident occurs.

2. Behavior analysis :

   • By analyzing user behavior, security teams can identify potential insider threats, such as unauthorized data access or anomalous data transfer behavior.

3. Compliance requirements:

   • In most industries and regions, user behavior auditing is a necessary part of meeting regulatory compliance requirements, such as GDPR and HIPAA.

User management and security control play a decisive role in the zero-trust security model. Through precise user identity management, effective enforcement of security policies and comprehensive auditing of user activity, organizations can ensure that their resources are only open to the right people and can respond quickly when security incidents occur. This control not only improves security but also supports an organization's business continuity and compliance requirements.

7. Challenges and Countermeasures in Implementing Zero Trust

Implementing a zero trust architecture is a complex process that involves changes at multiple levels of technology, strategy, and culture. Enterprises may encounter a range of challenges when moving to a zero trust model, but with effective countermeasures in place, these challenges can be overcome.

7.1 Technology integration challenges

challenge:

• An enterprise's existing IT architecture may include a variety of technologies and solutions, and the integration between these systems is often complex, posing a challenge to the implementation of the zero-trust model.

Countermeasures:

• Use open standards and highly compatible solutions to facilitate integration between different systems.
• Implement incremental migration to gradually replace or upgrade old systems to reduce compatibility issues.
• Leverage the experience of expert technology consultants and service providers to design and implement integration strategies.

7.2 Compatibility issues with old systems

challenge:

• Some older systems and applications may not support the security measures required by a zero-trust architecture, and updating these systems may be costly or technically unfeasible.

Countermeasures:

• For critical legacy systems, consider using a gateway or proxy to provide a layer of security without directly modifying the system itself.
• For non-critical systems, assess their true business value and, if necessary, retire and seek modern alternatives.

7.3 Safety compliance and regulatory compliance

challenge:

• Compliance requirements may limit how Zero Trust can be implemented, especially when it comes to handling personal data and sensitive information.

Countermeasures:

• Before implementing a zero trust architecture, carefully review the relevant regulatory requirements to ensure that the designed architecture meets these requirements.
• Seek consultation from legal and compliance experts to ensure that all security measures and processes comply with industry standards and legal requirements.

7.4 Comparison of international implementation cases

challenge:

• Differences in security and privacy regulations across countries and regions may impact the implementation and operation of a Zero Trust architecture.

Countermeasures:

• Study successful implementation cases in different regions and learn from their experiences, especially in dealing with cross-border data flows and privacy protection.
• Design a flexible architecture that can adapt to changes in different regulations and quickly respond to new compliance requirements.

While implementing a zero trust security model is challenging, these challenges are not insurmountable. With sound planning, appropriate technology selection and compliance considerations, and learning from the success stories of other organizations, enterprises can effectively implement a zero trust architecture and obtain significant security improvements from it. The key is to take a step-by-step, organized approach that ensures business continuity and operational flexibility are maintained throughout the process.

8. Future development and prospects

As network security threats continue to evolve and enterprise digital transformation accelerates, the application and development prospects of the zero-trust security model are showing a diversified trend. The following is a detailed discussion of the future development and prospects of zero trust technology.

8.1 Future development trends of zero trust technology

Advanced automation and integration

• As artificial intelligence and machine learning continue to mature, expect Zero Trust security solutions to rely more heavily on automation to identify and respond to security threats. This includes automated policy enforcement, risk assessment and response mechanisms.

Enhanced user and device identification

• User and device identification technologies will become more advanced, including biometrics, behavioral analysis, and continuous authentication to ensure that only authorized users and devices can access network resources.

Seamless security experience

• Future zero trust models will place greater emphasis on seamless user experience, ensuring minimal disruption to users even when complex security verification and controls are performed behind the scenes.

Regulatory Compliance and Data Sovereignty

• Data protection regulations and national data sovereignty requirements will further shape the implementation of zero trust architectures, particularly with regard to cross-border data flows and processing.

8.2 Expected direction of technological innovation

Standardization of security architecture

• Expect more industry standards and frameworks to emerge to standardize the implementation of Zero Trust architecture, making it easier to adopt by organizations of different sizes and types.

Edge Computing and Zero Trust

• The rise of edge computing is expected to be closely integrated with the zero-trust security model to ensure the security of distributed computing resources in edge networks.

8.3 Analysis of market changes

growing market demand

• Demand for zero-trust security solutions is expected to continue to grow due to the popularity of remote working and cloud services.

The changing role of security service providers

• Security service providers (MSSPs) are expected to expand their service offerings to offer more Zero Trust-related services, including consulting, implementation support and managed services.

The future development of the zero trust security model will be a process of continuous adaptation to new threats and new technologies. As technology advances, enterprises need to continually evaluate and update their zero-trust security strategies to protect their resources from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Zero Trust is more than just a security model or a set of technologies. It represents a new way of thinking about security, emphasizing that security is an ongoing process that requires the joint efforts of enterprises, technology providers and policymakers. As enterprises continue to pursue digital transformation, a zero-trust model will support innovation and growth while keeping enterprises secure.

9. Conclusion

The proposal and development of the zero-trust security model marks the beginning of a new era in the field of network security. This model reflects a re-examination of traditional security defense strategies, emphasizing that trust should not be defaulted to at any time, in any place, regardless of user identity, but should always be verified. In an era where more and more enterprises are undergoing digital transformation and network boundaries are becoming blurred, Zero Trust provides a more precise and dynamic security management method.

9.1 Core Values ​​of Zero Trust

The core value of the Zero Trust security model is that it provides a continuous, identity-based security verification mechanism designed to minimize the impact of internal and external threats. Through granular access control and the principle of least privilege, the zero trust model can effectively limit the mobility of potential attackers, thereby protecting critical data and resources from being compromised.

9.2 Long-term impact of Zero Trust

In the long term, the zero trust model will continue to influence how enterprises design and implement cybersecurity strategies. As more enterprises adopt cloud services and support remote work, the principles and technologies of Zero Trust will become the cornerstone of protecting enterprise assets. In addition, zero trust will also promote the innovation of security products and services and provide enterprises with more intelligent and automated security solutions.

9.3 Enterprise security policy

For enterprises, adopting a zero-trust model means that fundamental changes must be made to security strategies, including upgrading technology infrastructure, reformulating security policies, and retraining employees' security awareness. Although this transformation is challenging, given the complexity of the modern network environment, it provides enterprises with a more robust and sustainable security defense framework.

9.4 Future prospects

As technology continues to advance and security threats continue to evolve, the Zero Trust security model is expected to continue to evolve and improve. Enterprises need to keep pace with the times, constantly evaluating and adapting their zero trust strategies to adapt to new technology environments and security challenges. Additionally, with increasing global emphasis on cybersecurity and data protection regulations, compliance and data sovereignty considerations for a zero-trust model will become important factors when enterprises implement the model.

In summary, the zero-trust security model is not only a trend in network security, but also an inevitable choice for modern enterprises when facing ever-changing security threats. By implementing a zero trust model, enterprises can ensure that their cybersecurity defenses are both strong and flexible, supporting their business goals and growth strategies. (SASE will be introduced later)