Always authenticate and authorize every access attempt, based on multiple data points, such as user identity, device status, and data sensitivity. Use strong authentication, conditional access, and continuous validation.
Limit access permissions to only what is necessary for a given role or task, using just-in-time (JIT) and just-enough-access (JEA) principles. Regularly review and adjust permissions to prevent privilege creep.
Design your systems as if an attacker has already infiltrated the network. Use network segmentation, analytics, and monitoring to detect and contain potential threats, minimizing the blast radius of any breach.
Identity forms the core of the Zero Trust model by ensuring that only verified users and applications can access resources. It involves authenticating identities, validating roles, and enforcing granular access policies.
Microsoft Azure Active Directory (AAD) provides centralized identity management, Single Sign-On (SSO), and conditional access controls. Features like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Privileged Identity Management (PIM), and identity protection safeguard against identity-based threats and unauthorized access.
Enable MFA for all users, apply conditional access policies tailored to organizational risk levels, and deploy PIM to manage and audit privileged access. Regularly review and update identity policies and monitor identity logs with Azure AD Identity Protection.
**NIST 800-53:** AC-2, IA-2 (Identity Management and Access Control).
**ISO 27001:** A.9.2.1 (User Access Management).
Zero Trust device management ensures only compliant and secure devices can access corporate resources, helping prevent risks associated with unmanaged or compromised endpoints.
Microsoft Intune and Defender for Endpoint (MDE) provide device management and security capabilities, enabling endpoint compliance, threat detection, and advanced security policies. Intune enforces compliance and monitors device health, while MDE detects and responds to endpoint threats in real-time.
Enforce device compliance policies via Intune, require Conditional Access based on device health, and mandate endpoint encryption. Use MDE to monitor endpoint activity, enforce antivirus policies, and provide threat intelligence on endpoints.
**ISO 27001:** A.12.6.1 (Vulnerability Management), A.12.7.1 (Endpoint Security).
**NIST 800-53:** CM-7 (Configuration Management), SC-7 (Boundary Protection).
Network security in Zero Trust restricts lateral movement, enforces segmentation, and limits access to sensitive resources, adhering to the principle of least privilege.
Azure Virtual Network (VNet), Azure Firewall, and Network Security Groups (NSGs) provide robust network security. Azure Front Door and Azure Application Gateway with WAF protect applications from web-based threats, ensuring secure access and application availability.
Utilize NSGs and Application Security Groups (ASGs) to segment network traffic. Configure Azure Firewall for VNet security, and employ VNet peering securely. Use Azure Monitor and Sentinel to analyze network traffic and identify threats.
**NIST 800-53:** SC-7 (Boundary Protection), AC-4 (Information Flow Enforcement).
**ISO 27001:** A.13.1.1 (Network Security Controls).
The application layer within Zero Trust ensures secure access to applications by enforcing stringent policy-based access and monitoring for threats, reducing risks of unauthorized access and application exploits.
Azure AD Application Proxy secures remote access to apps, while Azure Application Gateway (WAF) provides protection from web threats. Azure Monitor logs access events and Sentinel correlates logs to identify unusual access patterns.
Enforce RBAC within Azure AD, configure Conditional Access policies, and use MFA for app access. Use Sentinel to detect and respond to potential threats at the application level. Regularly review application logs for anomalies.
**OWASP ASVS:** Application Security Verification Standards.
**NIST 800-53:** AC-2, SC-7 (Access Control).
The data security pillar in Zero Trust focuses on protecting data across its lifecycle, implementing access controls, encryption, and real-time monitoring to ensure data integrity and confidentiality.
Azure Information Protection (AIP) provides data classification, labeling, and protection. Azure Key Vault manages cryptographic keys, while Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) ensures data at rest in Azure SQL remains secure.
Classify and label sensitive data with AIP, secure encryption keys using Key Vault, and enforce Conditional Access policies for data access. Use Azure Monitor and Sentinel to monitor data access activities.
**ISO 27001:** A.8.2 (Information Classification), A.10 (Cryptography).
**NIST 800-53:** MP-5 (Media Protection), SC-12 (Cryptographic Key Management).
The infrastructure layer in Zero Trust provides protection for cloud workloads, ensuring secure configurations, compliance monitoring, and threat detection for all cloud resources.
Azure Security Center and Microsoft Defender for Cloud provide continuous monitoring, threat protection, and compliance checks. Azure Policy ensures standardized security configurations across cloud resources.
Implement Security Center recommendations, enforce Azure Policies for secure configurations, and use Defender for Cloud to monitor and respond to threats. Regularly review and address security alerts.
**CIS Azure Foundations Benchmark:** Provides best practices for securing Azure resources.
**NIST 800-53:** SI-4 (System Monitoring), CM-6 (Configuration Settings).
Visibility and analytics support Zero Trust by providing insights into access patterns, potential threats, and user activity, ensuring rapid detection and response to incidents.
Microsoft Sentinel and Azure Monitor enable centralized logging, advanced analytics, and real-time incident management. Sentinel supports threat detection, while Azure Monitor provides operational insights.
Deploy Sentinel to aggregate and analyze log data, set up security alerts for suspicious activity, and configure Azure Monitor for continuous monitoring of network and resource health.
**NIST 800-53:** SI-4 (Monitoring), AU-6 (Audit Review).
**CIS Control 6:** Audit Log Management and Analysis.