Is Everything Hostile in a Zero Trust World? Exploring ZTNA

The cybersecurity landscape has become increasingly hostile as businesses face evolving threats and growing complexities in securing their digital environments. During a recent webinar, hosted by Executive Leaders Network (ELN) in partnership with iomart , industry experts discussed the importance of Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and how it addresses today’s security challenges.

The session was moderated by Peter Dorrington from the Executive Leaders Network. Joining him were Nathan Jamieson , Chief Information Security Officer at iomart, and Robert Smith , Data Security Manager at iomart. Together, they explored why organisations need to embrace #ZTNA to protect their networks and whether we really live in a world where everything is hostile by default.

What is Zero Trust Network Access?

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a modern security model that operates on the principle of "never trust, always verify". Unlike traditional security approaches, which trust users and devices inside the network perimeter, ZTNA assumes that no user, device, or system is inherently trusted, regardless of whether they are inside or outside the network.

In practical terms, this means that every request to access network resources is verified—based on factors like the user’s identity, device security posture, and context—before access is granted. ZTNA enforces continuous verification, so even after initial authentication, users and devices are subject to ongoing checks.

This shift in thinking is crucial in today’s world, where organisations are no longer confined to physical office environments. Remote work, cloud services, and distributed networks mean that the old notion of a secure perimeter has dissolved, leaving businesses exposed to more threats. ZTNA addresses these challenges by limiting access to only the resources that are necessary for each user, reducing the potential for breaches.

Why VPNs Are No Longer Enough

For many years, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have been the go-to solution for securing remote access to corporate networks. However, VPNs are increasingly becoming outdated and insufficient for modern digital environments.

One of the main issues with VPNs is that they operate on a trust-based model. Once a user gains access via a VPN, they are granted broad access to the network. This creates vulnerabilities because attackers, or compromised insiders, can move laterally across the network without further verification. This allows attackers to explore, escalate privileges, and exfiltrate data without being detected.

Additionally, VPNs struggle to handle the demands of modern cloud-based and distributed work environments. As businesses adopt multiple cloud services and remote working models, VPNs often become performance bottlenecks, unable to cope with the volume and complexity of traffic.

ZTNA, by contrast, provides granular access control, allowing users to only access the specific applications or data they need. This reduces the attack surface and limits lateral movement, ensuring that even if a threat actor gains access to the network, their ability to cause harm is restricted.

The Evolving Cybersecurity Threat Landscape

In today’s hostile digital environment, cyber threats have become more sophisticated, and attackers are employing advanced tactics such as phishing, ransomware, and credential theft. These attacks often go unnoticed for extended periods, with attackers dwelling in a network for weeks or even months, gathering information before launching a full-scale attack.

ZTNA mitigates these risks by enforcing continuous verification and micro-segmentation, which ensure that even if an attacker manages to breach a network, they cannot move freely within it. Each request for access—whether it's a new system, application, or data—is verified independently, greatly limiting the potential damage that can be caused by lateral movement.

Another significant challenge is the rise of insider threats. These can stem from negligence, credential compromise, or malicious intent. ZTNA is especially effective in dealing with these threats by limiting access to critical resources, even for trusted employees. Every user and device is verified continuously, meaning that suspicious activity is flagged quickly and access can be revoked before further harm is done.

Simplifying Security with ZTNA

While many organisations understand the need for enhanced security, there are often concerns about the complexity and cost of implementing new solutions like ZTNA. However, modern ZTNA solutions are designed to be scalable, easy to manage, and cost-effective.

ZTNA is cloud-native, meaning much of the infrastructure is managed offsite, reducing the burden on in-house IT teams. These solutions also integrate smoothly with existing security frameworks, such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and role-based access control, making implementation straightforward for most businesses.

The long-term benefits of adopting ZTNA far outweigh the initial investment. By reducing the attack surface and minimising the risk of data breaches, ZTNA helps businesses save on the costs of managing security incidents, regulatory fines, and reputational damage. For organisations still relying on VPNs, switching to ZTNA can also improve network performance, ensuring seamless access without compromising security.

Could ZTNA Have Prevented Recent Cyber Incidents?

Recent high-profile cyberattacks, such as the SolarWinds and Colonial Pipeline breaches, have highlighted the vulnerabilities in traditional security models. In both cases, attackers were able to gain access to internal systems and move laterally, causing significant disruption and data loss.

ZTNA could have mitigated the impact of these attacks by restricting lateral movement within the network. Even if attackers managed to compromise a user or system, ZTNA would have enforced continuous verification, limiting what they could access and reducing the overall damage. By isolating access to specific applications and data, ZTNA prevents attackers from freely navigating through a network undetected.

While no system can guarantee total protection against every breach, ZTNA drastically reduces the risk of widespread damage by containing threats at the earliest stages.

The Role of ZTNA in Compliance and Cyber Insurance

ZTNA not only strengthens security but also helps businesses meet regulatory compliance requirements, such as GDPR and ISO 27001. These frameworks demand strict access controls and continuous monitoring of network activity, both of which are fundamental to ZTNA.

By implementing ZTNA, organisations can demonstrate that they are taking proactive steps to secure their networks and comply with data protection regulations. This, in turn, can simplify the audit process and reduce the risk of hefty regulatory fines.

Additionally, cyber insurance providers are increasingly scrutinising the security measures businesses have in place before offering coverage. ZTNA demonstrates a proactive approach to risk management, which can lead to lower insurance premiums and more favourable policy terms. With the growing frequency and severity of cyberattacks, securing robust cyber insurance is becoming more challenging, making ZTNA an important tool in reducing overall business risk.

Conclusion: Why ZTNA is Essential in a Hostile World

In today’s rapidly changing digital world, where threats are more frequent and sophisticated, Zero Trust Network Access offers a crucial layer of defence. ZTNA goes beyond traditional security models, providing continuous verification, limiting access, and restricting lateral movement, thereby reducing the risk of breaches and insider threats.

For organisations looking to protect their networks, safeguard sensitive data, and ensure regulatory compliance, ZTNA is an essential investment. The world may be increasingly hostile, but with ZTNA, businesses can significantly reduce their vulnerability to modern cyber threats.

Next Steps:

Interested in learning more about how ZTNA can secure your organisation? Reach out to experts at iomart to explore the benefits and next steps for implementation.

Click here to watch the full webinar on-demand.