NIST Outlines Real-World Zero-Trust Examples

Source: Dark Reading

Author: Fahmida Y. Rashid

URL: https://www.darkreading.com/endpoint-security/nist-outlines-real-world-zero-trust-examples

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY: NIST’s new SP 1800-35 guidance provides practical examples and phased implementation strategies for organizations adopting end-to-end zero-trust architectures.

MAIN POINTS:

  1. NIST released SP 1800-35 guidance demonstrating real-world zero-trust architectures using commercial technologies.
  2. The guidance includes 19 practical example implementations developed over four years with 24 industry partners.
  3. SP 1800-35 builds upon NIST SP 800-207, moving from conceptual to practical ZTA implementation advice.
  4. Organizations must customize zero-trust deployments due to their unique network environments and security requirements.
  5. Zero-trust architectures continuously evaluate and verify access requests, removing implicit trust in users or devices.
  6. Implementing zero trust significantly reduces lateral movement and privilege escalation by malicious actors.
  7. NCCoE team installed, configured, and tested each example, providing troubleshooting assistance and best practices.
  8. Guidance aligns solutions with NIST Cybersecurity Framework and NIST SP 800-53 standards.
  9. Organizations should incrementally adopt foundational elements like identity management and multifactor authentication.
  10. Zero trust is an ongoing journey requiring continual adaptation to evolving threats, technologies, and organizational needs.

TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Leverage NIST’s practical examples to start customized zero-trust deployments.
  2. Begin ZTA implementation with a thorough inventory of existing organizational assets and capabilities.
  3. Formulate clear access policies based on least privilege and continuous verification principles.
  4. Incrementally implement ZTA components, starting with foundational security solutions.
  5. Continuously monitor and evolve zero-trust architectures to address changing threats and business requirements.