Cybersecurity is a priority at the highest level of our country. The Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity (issued on May 12, 2021) mandated numerous actions of the federal government to reinforce defenses against increasingly sophisticated and persistent threats. One of the mandates includes adopting zero trust architecture (ZTA), a framework for defining how security operates in high-risk environments.
In alignment with the executive order, the Director of National Intelligence, which provides guidance, policy, and direction to the iIntelligence community, is increasingly requiring ZTA compliance through their Intelligence Community Directives (ICDs). While good and meaningful, these mandates are stringent and challenging to fulfill.
Continue reading to learn more about ZTA, its role in protecting critical infrastructure, and best practices for ensuring compliance in high-security facilities.
The Basics of Zero Trust Architecture
ZTA has become a cornerstone for critical infrastructure protection because it offers a proven path to hardened security for facilities safeguarding highly sensitive assets. It operates on a simple principle: never trust, always verify.
Traditional perimeter-based security models protect the borders of a digital or physical space and assume that if something has passed those barriers, it can be trusted. The ZTA model, on the other hand, assumes that threats can come from anywhere, including inside a network.
The key principles of ZTA include:
- Assuming all networks are hostile – Every network, whether internal or external, is treated as untrusted.
- Verifying every access request – Users and devices must prove their identities and permissions dynamically before gaining access.
- Limiting access privileges – Users and systems are only granted the minimum access needed to perform their tasks and only for the required time.
- Continuous monitoring and analytics – Security systems continually evaluate network activity to detect anomalies and prevent breaches.
The NIST SP 800-207 provides more information about the ZTA model and offers clear guidelines for implementation.
Zero-trust enhances security by treating every user and device as potentially hostile. However, it doesn’t have to make daily operations cumbersome for the end users. Resources like CertiPath’s TrustZero system help streamline implementation, creating powerful security measures without inhibiting productivity. Their system maintains zero trust by continuously verifying permissions, allowing secure system access while maintaining seamless workflows for authorized personnel.
How ZTA Can Offer Critical Infrastructure Protection
Critical infrastructure such as utilities, transportation systems, and healthcare networks face growing threats, from insider risks to sophisticated cyberattacks. As these systems become more digitized and interconnected, their attack surface grows. Implementing ZTA, however, ensures that the security solutions work properly.
One significant concern for government facilities is insider risk, as employees and contractors can knowingly or unknowingly compromise secure systems. For similar reasons, supply chain vulnerabilities have become a growing concern. For example, a vendor introducing malware — either maliciously or accidentally — via a routine software update would be contained within the system’s zero-trust boundaries. ZTA protects supply chains against attacks by limiting the reach of third-party access.
DNI literature cites an instance in 2013 when a supply chain cyberattack on a major U.S. retailer led to the theft of financial and personal information from 110 million customers. Attackers used vendor credentials to access other parts of the retailer’s system. Another case in 2020 involved attackers using stolen staff credentials to breach the network of a hospitality giant, which affected 339 million guests.
Both incidents highlight how ZTA’s limited access privilege and consistent verification principles could have mitigated or entirely prevented these breaches. ZTA principles would have restricted lateral movement within the networks and enforced stricter access controls.
Applying ZTA Principles in Critical Infrastructure
Zero-trust architecture is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it acts as a framework that can be tailored to the needs of specific facilities:
- Utilities. ZTA protects the systems that manage essential processes like water distribution and power generation. By securing individual components, ZTA prevents attacks from compromising entire networks.
- Transportation. Transportation systems, from seaports to airports, rely on automated technology that must be protected against tampering. ZTA ensures secure access to these systems, safeguarding operations and public safety.
- Healthcare. Healthcare facilities store sensitive patient data and use internet-connected medical devices. ZTA safeguards these systems, ensuring only authorized personnel can access records or equipment.
Challenges of Implementing ZTA
The benefits of ZTA are undeniable, but implementing the framework can be challenging. Organizations have to overcome:
Compliance Requirements
Government agencies and sectors working with classified data must adhere to stringent guidelines established by the DNI, such as Intelligence Community Directives (ICDs). Every component of the ZTA system must meet these standards, which can create a complex compliance landscape.
System Integration
Critical infrastructure often relies on a mix of legacy and modern systems. Integrating those differing technologies into a single, cohesive ZTA framework can require profound expertise and careful planning to avoid introducing new vulnerabilities.
Cost and Complexity
ZTA implementation can require high upfront costs for new technology and personnel training. However, the long-term benefits of enhancing security and reducing risk far outweigh those initial expenses.
A Knowledgeable Partner for ZTA Implementation
Zero-trust architecture is a modern-day necessity for protecting critical infrastructure and increasingly mandatory, but implementing it requires expertise. Ariel Secure Technologies has decades of experience designing and deploying tailored solutions for high-security environments.
Our team ensures every system component meets stringent regulatory requirements, including those set by the DNI. We work closely with clients to design ZTA frameworks that address their needs and challenges while providing comprehensive support, from system design and integration to ongoing maintenance.
Choosing Ariel gives you a knowledgeable partner dedicated to safeguarding critical infrastructure with the most reliable and effective security solutions. Contact Ariel Secure Technologies today to learn how zero-trust architecture can harden the security of your critical infrastructure facility.
