Zero trust is a cybersecurity philosophy built on one core idea: never trust by default, always verify every user and device. This model replaces outdated perimeter-based security and utilizes continuous verification and granular access controls to protect your business from modern threats that have proven too sophisticated for traditional cybersecurity.
Transitioning your company’s network to a zero trust model is an involved task, but updating your cybersecurity posture is vital to ensuring its survival in the face of modern cyber threats. To help you get started securely and efficiently, below is a simplified, 3-phase roadmap tailored for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) like yours.
Roadmap phase one: Build your foundation
The first phase focuses on understanding your current state and establishing the most essential zero trust building blocks. Before you can enforce tighter controls, you need visibility into what exists in your IT environment and who has access to it.
Start with inventory and identity
Identify and log all users, devices, applications, and data stores across your systems. Without a complete asset and user inventory, it’s impossible to apply effective access controls. This audit will help you understand where sensitive information lives and who needs access to it, informing every subsequent step.
Establish corporate identity controls
Zero trust relies on strong identity verification because remember: no one is trusted automatically. Begin by consolidating identity sources and enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all user access.
Secure endpoints and devices
Implement tools like Mobile Device Management (MDM) and endpoint protection to ensure that only healthy, compliant devices can connect to your network and systems. Just don’t forget the basics, and ensure antivirus, firewalls, and critical patches are applied.
Roadmap phase two: Define and enforce access controls
Once the foundation is in place, Phase Two moves your business from visibility to action. In this stage, you’ll establish policies that govern how and when access is granted.
Implement least-privilege access
Your users (employees, partners, guests) and services (apps and software with access to your network) should only have permissions they absolutely need for their functions. For true zero trust, you must implement role-based access controls (RBAC) and/or just-in-time privileges to help prevent over-permissioned accounts, which attackers often exploit.
Segment your network and resources
A “flat” network is like a warehouse; once an attacker is in, they can go anywhere on the premises. A segmented network is like an apartment building full of locked doors, so even if one segment is compromised, it doesn’t lead to a complete takeover. Network segmentation is a complex process, but it could mean the difference between a momentary inconvenience and a catastrophic disaster.
Apply zero trust access policies to applications and data
Enforce controls that verify each and every access request before it’s allowed, but simple certificates and credentials checks are not enough. You’ll need advanced zero trust controls that provide access based on device health, location, user behavior, and risk context.
Roadmap phase three: Monitor, respond, and evolve
After you’ve defined and enforced access controls, Phase Three focuses on continuous improvement. Zero trust is not a one-time project or a switch you can flip; it’s a live, evolving endeavor that must adapt to shifting threats.
Continuous monitoring and logging
To keep your zero trust setup effective, deploy tools to log and review access events, detect anomalies in real time, and alert your IT team to suspicious behavior. This visibility lets you stop threats quickly and refine your policies over time based on real usage patterns.
Data loss prevention (DLP)
Protect sensitive information by defining what qualifies as “sensitive” and controlling how it moves across systems. As your data volumes and the number of connected devices increase, DLP tools help prevent accidental leaks and ensure data stays within approved boundaries.
Steady state and automation
Once your zero trust framework is established, consider automation tools and DevOps practices to enforce policies consistently across new resources. This will ensure that security stays aligned with your evolving business operations without excess manual effort.
Partner with a zero trust specialist
A zero trust security architecture is fast becoming the norm to defend against advanced threats, even for SMBs, and the longer you wait to upgrade your cybersecurity, the higher your risk gets. Partner with XBASE, and our experienced consultants will not only design a customized transition roadmap for your business, but also manage your zero trust architecture moving forward to ensure you stay protected no matter what comes.