Implementing Zero Trust Architecture in IoT Networks

Despite the progress made in this sphere, security remains one of the most serious concerns regarding the implementation of Internet of Things systems. Developers working on IoT projects are continuously seeking more powerful and sophisticated methods to prevent sensitive data from being compromised. One of the most promising approaches to protecting IoT systems is the implementation of zero trust security solutions.

In this article, we will discuss the advantages of using zero trust in IoT and the key considerations you need to know to apply these principles to your systems.

Before delving into the specifics of the zero trust security model, let’s start with a basic explanation. Zero trust is a cybersecurity approach that enforces strict control over access to an organization’s digital resources. The model is based on the principle of "never trust, always verify." In other words, no user or device is automatically trusted; instead, each must be authenticated and authorized before being granted access to any resources or data.

This principle applies even to users within a network. Everyone must go through multiple layers of authentication and authorization. Additionally, continuous verification and validation of users and devices are maintained throughout their entire session.

This zero trust security architecture significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches. Compared to traditional security models, it provides far better protection.

Below is a brief comparison of these two approaches.

To ensure the required protection, zero trust security solutions rely on the following key elements:

• Continuous monitoring and validation. All users and devices should be continuously re-verified even within one session.
• Least privilege access. Users have the possibility to get only as much access as they really need at the moment. It means that the number of users who can gain access to the most sensitive data is minimized.
• Micro-segmentation. This is the practice of breaking up security perimeters into small pieces. As a result, it is possible to maintain separate access for these separate zones of the system.
• Device access control. Zero trust security solutions continuously monitor the number of devices that are trying to get access to the network. Each of them should be authorized.
• Preventing lateral movement. “Lateral movement” is a term used to describe the way an attacker is moving within a network after getting access to it. Thanks to access segmentation, zero trust solutions can prevent such actions.
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA). Just providing a password is not enough to gain access. It is required to ensure more than one piece of evidence for authentication (for example, biometrics or an one-time code sent to a mobile device).

Like the general concept, zero trust IoT solutions rely on the continuous verification and validation of all users, devices, and connections within a system. These solutions are specifically designed for Internet of Things systems with numerous connected devices, aiming to protect them from external attacks and data breaches.

This model requires the implementation of strict access controls, sophisticated monitoring techniques, and robust authentication mechanisms. These measures must be applied regardless of the location of the devices within the network.

The popularity of zero trust in IoT is actively growing. This can be explained by the efficiency of this model for the Internet of Things networks and the row of advantages that businesses can leverage with this approach. Let’s consider the most important of them.

• Enhanced security. Zero trust security principles protect IoT devices from the most common vulnerabilities, such as weak passwords, outdated firmware, and insecure communication protocols.
• Scalability. Zero trust IoT solutions can be seamlessly adapted to various IoT environments, including even the largest systems like smart cities or industrial networks. They can scale together with the increased number of connected devices.
• Proactive threat detection. Zero trust presupposes continuous monitoring and real-time analysis. This helps to detect emerging threats before they can cause significant damage.
• Regulatory compliance. The implementation of strong authentication, encryption, and access controls is vital for satisfying various regulatory requirements related to IoT security. For example, the well-known GDPR and HIPAA are also among them.
• Cost-efficiency. Of course, the implementation of zero trust IoT solutions requires investments. Nevertheless, they greatly reduce the risk and impact of security breaches. It means that businesses can avoid extra costs associated with security incidents, such as downtime, data loss, and regulatory fines.

It’s crucial to stay aware not only of the benefits of zero trust security but also of the challenges associated with the use of this model.

• Security challenges of IoT networks. These pitfalls are mainly related to a wide range of devices used in such ecosystems. They all may have very different features, tech requirements, and operating systems. All this has a negative impact on the possibility of properly protecting them.
• Obsolete systems. It can be very challenging (and sometimes practically impossible) to integrate zero trust security solutions with legacy IoT systems. They may not correspond to modern security standards and may not support the latest security protocols.
• Lack of standardization. Today there is no global universal standard for IoT security. As a result, we can see a variety of inconsistent security practices across different devices and manufacturers. Such inconsistency can create additional vulnerabilities that are difficult to manage.

The implementation of zero trust security solutions requires specific efforts:

1. Security assessment and identification of assets: It is necessary to create lists of all IoT networks, devices, and data that need protection. Additionally, all potential vulnerabilities associated with each identified asset should be assessed.
2. Definition of security and access policies: Access should be assigned according to the responsibilities and roles of users. It is highly recommended not to grant more access rights than are truly needed.
3. Implementation of verification and continuous monitoring: Zero trust requires the introduction of multi-factor authentication for both users and devices.
4. Adoption of micro-segmentation: The network should be divided into smaller segments to enhance access control.
5. Introduction of encryption and secure communication protocols: It is crucial to encrypt all communications, not just those sent outside the network.
6. Implementation of behavioral analytics and continuous monitoring: This is necessary to detect suspicious patterns that may indicate a security threat.
7. Automation of security responses: Automation should be implemented to minimize the time needed to respond to threats.

If you are planning to protect your IoT network with the help of the zero trust model, you should know what tools can facilitate this task for you.

• Identity providers. Such solutions as Azure Active Directory or Ping Identity can help to manage and verify device and user identities across the IoT environment.
• Security automation platforms. These are specific tools that can enable automated responses within your network. The examples are Palo Alto Networks Cortex XSOAR, IBM QRadar SOAR, and Devo SOAR.
• Monitoring and analytics platforms. You also need to implement a reliable system that will be responsible for real-time monitoring and analytics. It should deal with session recording, network activity logs, keystroke logging, etc. One of the widely known solutions is Splunk.
• Network security tools. These solutions are aimed at enabling policy enforcement and micro-segmentation. VMware NSX and Cisco's TrustSec are among the examples.

Today, zero trust in IoT is a highly promising model. While security measures are becoming more sophisticated, so are the tactics used by hackers and other malicious actors.

What other prospective technologies can be used to strengthen IoT security?

• Predictive analytics: AI and ML are increasingly expected to be integrated into zero trust IoT solutions to predict and identify threats before they can exploit IoT devices. These models can analyze vast amounts of data to detect anomalies and security risks in real-time.
• Blockchain-based identity: Blockchain technology can ensure decentralized identity management, enhancing trustworthiness and reducing the risk of identity spoofing or tampering.
• Edge computing: By leveraging edge devices, it is possible to reduce the time needed to assess and respond to threats. Additionally, this approach lowers latency and facilitates faster data processing by performing it closer to the data source.
• Quantum-resistant security: As quantum computing advances, the development of quantum-resistant cryptographic techniques will become a priority. These new security methods will be essential to protect IoT devices from emerging quantum threats.

In general, it is expected that the adoption of zero trust IoT solutions will continue. If today some systems still rely on the traditional security models, with time flow, their efficiency will keep falling.

That’s why if you are interested in ensuring the relevant level of security for your IoT system, it’s highly recommended to think about its proper protection already today.

If you are looking for professional IoT consulting and development services, do not hesitate to contact us. At Cogniteq, we have solid expertise in this area and we will be always ready to help you! We deeply understand the specificity of IoT networks and know how to use the power of modern technologies to strengthen their security.

Just leave your inquiry on our website and we will reach you back as soon as our experts analyze your request.