Technology conversations with senior management can be difficult. Zero trust is an especially challenging concept because it is not a clearly defined undertaking but rather a philosophical approach to risk management. Three steps can lead to strong organizational support for zero trust.
Step 1: Explain the business value. Start the senior management conversation with a clear understanding that zero trust is not just a buzzword. It is a fundamentally different security approach designed to overcome the weaknesses in the traditional “castle and moat” method that allowed users broad access to sensitive resources while on the corporate network.
Zero trust replaces the idea of absolute trust with the requirement for all users — whether inside or outside the network, on premises, remote, or in the cloud — to be authenticated, authorized and continually validated before accessing applications and data.
When senior leaders understand that zero trust isn’t just a shiny new object that excites tech people and is instead a critical tool for protecting the organization’s data — its most precious asset — they tend to take the matter more seriously.
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Step 2: Enlist leaders’ help. Once they realize the stakes, senior management should be more supportive of any initiative that reduces the risk of cyberattacks affecting mission-critical operations and profits.
Every organization’s weakest security link is its employees, who are constantly targeted by clever cybercriminals seeking network entry. Remote workers reliant on the cloud may be the most vulnerable to escalating security threats.
The proof is that cyberattacks are on the rise. The global insurance company Allianz reported in October that it expected to see a 25 percent increase in claims on cyber insurance policies by the end of 2023.
By continuously verifying access, zero trust greatly reduces the risk of a breach as well as its potential impact. A management team that understands how zero trust leads to increased productivity and successful digital transformation can become an ally in the process.