Taking Nothing For Granted

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the journey to zero-trust platforms as virtually the world’s entire workforce was shoved outside a defined network perimeter, forcing organizations to secure end users who are working remotely as well as fix anomalies and configuration issues revealed by the new approach, according to Forrester.

A zero-trust approach to security reflects four principles: no user should be trusted by default since they could be compromised; VPN and firewalls can’t do it alone since they just guard the perimeter; identity and device authentication should took place throughout the network rather than just on the perimeter; and micro-segmentation really helps minimize damage from hackers by creating interior walls and locks.

Good zero-trust platforms integrate security functions into nearly invisible tooling, Forrester said, making it so that users have no choice but to operate in a more secure fashion. The most successful zero-trust vendors can layer new functions on top of existing security infrastructure components, meaning that clients don’t have to remove or replace the security investments they’ve already made.

From scrutinizing users and forsaking VPN to embracing micro-segmentation and authentication throughout the network, here’s a look at 10 zero-trust vendors fighting for the dominant position in this burgeoning market.