For decades, traditional cybersecurity models relied on perimeter-based defenses. These acted as walls separating trusted internal users from the untrusted outside world. They were effective in simpler IT environments, but such legacy approaches can’t handle the complexities of modern, distributed networks.
More modern security frameworks, including those incorporating Zero Trust Network Access, or ZTNA, flip the traditional model on its head by assuming no user or device is trustworthy by default. Instead, every access attempt is validated, authenticated, and authorized dynamically. ZTNA is one part of a broader trend towards more adaptive and resilient cybersecurity strategies.
The legacy approach: Castle-and-moat security
Traditional security models can be compared to a castle surrounded by a moat. The moat (firewalls and intrusion detection systems) protects the castle (internal network), and only users inside the walls are deemed trustworthy.
This was an effective model when employees worked primarily in office buildings, applications and data were housed in on-premises data centers, and networks were more contained and less complex.
But these models have limitations. Modern networks are no longer confined to physical offices or centralized data centers. Remote work and cloud adoption, as well as mobile devices, have meant the perimeter has dissolved.
Legacy systems struggle to monitor activity beyond the perimeter, leaving blind spots for potential threats. And once users gain access, they often have unrestricted movement within the network, which attackers can exploit.
Modern security
Modern security models prioritize greater flexibility, scalability, and granular control. They’re designed to secure dynamic environments where users, devices, and applications are distributed across multiple locations and platforms.
Zero Trust operates on a “never trust, always verify” principle, with access granted based on real-time authentication and policy enforcement, regardless of a user’s location.
Tim Liu, former Forbes Councils Member, has written, “Fundamentally, sensitive data remains the safest when access to it is strictly limited; the looser the controls, the greater the chances of a bad actor (whether internal or external) gaining access for malicious ends.”
Identity-centric security ensures that authentication follows the user rather than relying on network location.
Microsegmentation breaks the network into smaller segments, minimizing lateral movement (attacks that move from one area of a network to another).
Cloud-native architecture allows organizations to scale their tools and services according to their needs.
Modern models use continuous monitoring and real-time data to adapt and respond to emerging threats.
Comparing legacy and modern security
Trust assumptions: with legacy models, trust is granted based on location. In modern models, trust is dynamic and conditional.
Access control: access is broad and static in legacy models; it is granular and specific in modern models.
Perimeter definition: with traditional models, the perimeter is physical, defined by firewalls and on-premises networks. In modern security, the perimeter is digital, encompassing users, devices, and data across cloud and on-premises environments.
Advantages of modern security models
The shift to modern security models offers several benefits:
- Enhanced flexibility. Modern approaches like ZTNA support remote and hybrid work by securely connecting users to applications from anywhere.
- Stronger threat containment. By implementing microsegmentation and enforcing least-privilege access, modern security limits the impact of breaches.
- Improved user experience. Unlike traditional models that can introduce latency through VPNs and other bottlenecks, modern solutions optimize access paths and reduce friction for end users.
The role of Zero Trust Network Access
ZTNA exemplifies the principles of modern security by providing a scalable, identity-driven approach to secure access. It solves many pain points associated with traditional systems, like excessive trust and VPN vulnerabilities.
It’s not a standalone solution, and works best when integrated into a broader security strategy, such as Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), which combines ZTNA with other technologies like SD-WAN and threat protection.
Challenges in transitioning to modern security models
Despite their advantages, there may be some challenges with modern security models.
Employees and stakeholders may resist changes, particularly if new changes seem disruptive to workflows.
Organizations with legacy applications or infrastructure may find it difficult to fully transition. They can enjoy a smoother process by creating a phased plan to implement new measures, prioritizing critical areas first.
Businesses can educate employees and IT teams on modern security principles and tools, and continuously evaluate the effectiveness of new measures, adjusting as needed.
Despite the advancements, cybersecurity is still a very real concern. It was recently reported that the UN aviation agency found almost 12,000 people were affected by “the unauthorized release of recruitment application data records from April 2016 to July 2024”, as per Reuters.
Cybersecurity has made the news in international politics, with US President Joe Biden calling for stricter cybersecurity standards in a new executive order. According to the US government and cybersecurity research groups, several high profile, Chinese-linked hacks have occurred toward the end of Biden’s presidency.
Last word
The shift from traditional to modern security models reflects the evolving needs of organizations in the digital age. Perimeter-based defenses served their purpose in simpler times, but they’re no match for the distributed, dynamic environments we’re in today. Modern approaches using frameworks like ZTNA are designed to secure users, devices, and data amid ever-changing threats.
By embracing these models, businesses can move beyond static boundaries and be better prepared for the future.