CS Jan-Feb 2024

zero trust
NO COMPROMISE ON TRUST
MACMON SECURE IS ADAMANT THAT NO DEVICE, NOR USER, SHOULD
BE TRUSTED UNTIL SECURE AUTHENTICATION HAS TAKEN PLACE
External network access to company
resources is the new normal these days,
says macmon secure. "Devices access
cloud services, email applications and other
potentially confidential company resources
from anywhere and at any time. Separating
cybersecurity efforts by technology is no
longer a sustainable approach. Companies
need to develop new integrated strategies
that combine IT, OT and IoT security efforts
and maximise the use of all the company's
cybersecurity resources. Developing a
comprehensive security strategy that
addresses the current and emerging risks of
digitalisation has never been more urgent."
ZERO TRUST NETWORK ACCESS
(ZTNA) - SECURITY CONCEPT FOR
IT AND OT NETWORKS
"The Zero Trust Network approach puts a stop
to the damage of the growing number of
cyberattacks and is based on the philosophy
that neither a device nor a user should be
trusted until secure authentication has taken
place," the company adds. "The focus of
ZTNA is on resources - and not on traditional
perimeter security at the interface between
a private or corporate network and a public
network such as the internet. The 'new
workers', or external service providers, access
tools and company data from anywhere,
using devices and apps. With ZTNA, it is
possible to guarantee data security in the
long term and meet modern network security
requirements."
OVERVIEW & CONTROL
IMPROVE SECURITY
ZTNA offers several advantages for
companies that want to improve their
network security. "ZTNA provides greater
flexibility and scalability for organisations
that need to adapt to changing
business requirements and digital
transformation. The concept of
ZTNA is based on restriction and
monitoring: Network Access Control
(NAC) solutions only allow defined
devices access to the network,
regardless of whether they are
iPads, laptops, medical or
technical devices. IT administrators
always know which
devices are logged into the local
network and can permanently
identify and monitor them
thanks to the complete
network overview. Any
device that has no
business in the network is denied access from
the outset.
"With the increasing networking of
production systems, which in some cases
extends into the office world, the complexity
and vulnerability of networks is increasing.
With ZTNA, unauthorized use of systems in
administration and production is therefore
virtually impossible."
A leading NAC solution should fulfil two
requirements, states macmon secure: a
complete overview of which devices are in
the IT and OT network, and where they are
located. "The type of device, such as clients,
printers, production systems, ATMs, medical
or technical devices, should not matter. This
means that only authorised resources can be
operated in the network. An efficient solution
should also offer a simple deployment and
maintenance, support of the industry
standard 802.1X and seamless integration
with a wide range of third-party security
solutions. This significantly increases IT and
OT network security."
Comments Christian Bücker, pictured left,
Global Product Line Software, macmon
secure: "Our solution is regularly rated very
positively in tests and has received several
awards from international trade journals.
Our clients come from public sector,
healthcare, financial services, science,
research, telecommunications, trade,
industry, transport or logistics. The acquisition
by Belden in 2022 puts us in a truly unique
position, as we combine IT expertise with OT
experience on many levels. We are part of
Belden's Industrial Automation Solution,
a global organisation headquartered in
the Stuttgart region that includes leading
network and connectivity brands."
www.computingsecurity.co.uk @CSMagAndAwards Jan/Feb 2024 computing security
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