Zero Trust in Azure: No trust is maximum security

Zero Trust in Azure: No trust is maximum security

Remove all trust and verify EVERYTHING might sound like a harsh and oppressive principle if we were talking about values in a family or a relationship. But when it comes to developing IT applications, it’s fundamental to ensuring that all systems and data remain protected against modern cyber threats. Instead of relying on implicit assumptions about what is safe, Zero Trust is built on the principle that all access—whether from inside or outside—must be verified. This prevents unnecessary access to critical resources, even for those we trust. If you trust everyone, you can trust no one.

The Zero Trust principle eliminates all implicit trust from digital infrastructure.

Security is not something we add as an afterthought to a project – it’s an integral part of everything we build from the start. By designing cloud-native applications with Zero Trust as the foundation, we create solutions which are robust, flexible, and protected against modern cyber threats. Zero Trust means that no one is trusted by default, whether they are inside or outside the network. By implementing it correctly in Azure, organizations can achieve a secure and efficient infrastructure.

Core Principles of Zero Trust

Zero Trust rests on three key principles: All access must be explicitly verified, trust must be minimized, and systems should be designed with the assumption that breaches can occur. This means that users, devices, and applications must always be validated, and strict access controls must be implemented.

Summary:

• Always verify users and devices before granting access

• Minimize implicit trust in networks and systems

• Design with the assumption that security breaches may happen

Practical Steps to Implement Zero Trust on Azure

Identity and Access Management

Imagine a fintech company, ‘Finovate,’ building a new cloud-native payment solution. They want to ensure that only authorized users and systems can access critical services. With Azure AD, the company can centrally manage identities and implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as well as conditional access based on the user's context. By using Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), access to resources can be limited to only those who have a legitimate need. To minimize exposure of administrative accounts, Just-in-Time (JIT) access with Azure Privileged Identity Management (PIM) can be used.

Summary:

• Implement Azure AD with MFA and conditional access

• Use RBAC to restrict access to only what's necessary

• Use Just-in-Time access to reduce the risk of abuse of privileged accounts

Network and Access Security

‘QuantumSaaS,’ a modern SaaS provider developing web applications for document management, needs to protect its customer data from unauthorized access. Network segmentation is a critical step, where Azure Virtual Network and subnet segmentation can be used to limit lateral movement in case of an attack. Private Link and Azure Firewall ensure that internal APIs and databases are not exposed to the public internet. Instead of traditional VPN solutions, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) can be used to control access dynamically.

Summary:

• Use network segmentation to limit lateral movement

• Secure internal resources with Private Link and Azure Firewall

• Implement Zero Trust Network Access for dynamic access control

Databeskyttelse og governance

Data Protection and Governance

For a healthcare startup, a psychiatric private clinic ‘Kompas Psykiatri,’ it’s crucial to ensure that patient data, including diagnoses, medication, and prescriptions, remains protected. They need to develop a telemedicine platform. The data should always be encrypted – both in transit and at rest – and Azure Key Vault can be used to manage encryption keys. With Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and Azure Information Protection, the organization can classify and protect sensitive information. Additionally, access to data should be continuously monitored with Azure Monitor and Defender for Cloud to detect suspicious activity.

Summary:

• Encrypt data in transit and at rest with Azure Key Vault

• Implement Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to protect sensitive information

• Continuously monitor and analyze access with Azure Monitor and Defender for Cloud

Continuous Monitoring and Response

An e-commerce platform, ‘ByteBox,’ which has experienced attempted compromises of its user data, needs better threat detection moving forward. With Azure Security Center and Defender, ByteBox can receive real-time analysis of security risks. By automating responses with Azure Sentinel and creating playbooks in Azure Logic Apps, compromised accounts or resources can be immediately isolated. Ongoing security testing and Red Teaming should be a regular part of the security strategy to identify and close potential vulnerabilities.

Summary:

• Use Azure Security Center and Defender for Cloud for threat detection

• Automate responses with Azure Sentinel and playbooks in Logic Apps

• Implement Red Teaming and vulnerability scanning on an ongoing basis

Zero Trust as a Foundation

Implementing Zero Trust in Azure is not just about technology; it’s about a fundamental architectural approach where security is built into every layer from the outset. By following these steps, organizations can minimize the risk of cyberattacks and protect mission-critical data, thus creating a robust cloud solution. At cVation, we help implement Zero Trust strategies in our software development, bringing real-world best practices to life. Reach out if you’d like to have a conversation about your situation and needs.

Read more about Zero Trust here.