Key Points

• The Zero Trust model shifts away from traditional perimeter security, emphasising verification over trust.
• A Zero Trust policy works by minimising access to sensitive data and enforcing strict access control.
• While resource-intensive, Zero Trust offers substantial long-term security benefits, especially for cloud-based environments.
• Metomic supports Zero Trust by automating data classification, access controls, and real-time monitoring to secure sensitive information.

With more organisations relying on cloud-based services and hybrid work, traditional perimeter-based security is outdated. 

Today, 96% of companies use at least one public cloud service, which greatly increases the risk of unauthorised access and data breaches. The old model of securing a fixed perimeter is now woefully antiquated when employees can access data from anywhere.

That’s where Zero Trust comes in. It requires continuous validation of every request, no matter the device or location. 

This approach ensures tighter control over sensitive data, giving organisations a way to better secure their cloud environments against today’s threats.

In this article, we’ll dive into the practical steps for implementing Zero Trust to improve data security and reduce risks in a cloud-first world.

What is meant by Zero Trust?

Zero Trust is a security model based on the idea of “never trust, always verify.” Unlike traditional security that assumes everyone inside the company network is safe, Zero Trust treats every user and device as a potential risk—whether they’re inside or outside the network.

Key principles include:

• Least privilege access: Only necessary access is granted, so if someone’s account is compromised, the damage is limited.
• Continuous authentication: Every access attempt is verified, no matter where the user is or how many times they’ve logged in.
• Micro-segmentation: Sensitive data is divided into smaller, secure areas within the network, creating obstacles for potential attackers.
• Device verification: Only trusted, authenticated devices can access company resources, whether they’re on-site or remote.

Traditional perimeter security, which relies on securing the network borders, just doesn’t cut it in today’s cloud-based, mobile world. In fact, 61% of organisations globally now have a defined Zero Trust initiative, recognising it as a critical step to protect data and minimise risks in today’s complex environments.

How does a Zero Trust policy work?

Zero Trust is all about ongoing security checks and tightly controlled access to sensitive data and systems.

Here’s how it works in practice:

• Identity and Access Management (IAM): Zero Trust depends on IAM tools like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and adaptive authentication to keep user identities verified at all times. MFA alone can stop over 99.9% of account compromise attempts—adding a strong layer of security against unauthorised access.
• Continuous verification: Unlike traditional security, Zero Trust doesn’t stop at a single login. It keeps an eye on user behaviour, location, and device in real time, allowing security teams to spot and respond to anything unusual as soon as it happens.
• Strict access control: Access is limited by role-based or attribute-based controls, meaning each person can only reach what they genuinely need. This approach helps reduce the risk of sensitive information being accessed without permission.
• Micro-segmentation and least privilege: Networks are split into smaller sections, with access granted strictly on a need-to-know basis. This setup limits an attacker’s ability to move across systems if they gain access.

These practices ensure constant, flexible protection, helping to keep data safe and minimise breach risks.

Advantages of Zero Trust

Adopting Zero Trust isn’t just about security—it also helps organisations cut costs and stay compliant.

Here are some of the standout advantages:

1. Minimising data breaches

Zero Trust reduces the risk of breaches by limiting access to only those who truly need it. With micro-segmentation, networks are divided into smaller zones, so even if an intruder gains access, they’re restricted to a limited area. This segmented approach makes it much harder for hackers to move around freely.

2. Reducing insider threats

By applying least privilege access, Zero Trust ensures that even if an employee’s credentials are compromised, the damage is limited. Fewer people have unnecessary access to sensitive data, which reduces the risk of misuse, intentional or otherwise.

3. Preventing lateral movement

In traditional networks, attackers who gain access can often move from one system to another. Zero Trust stops this by restricting movement across the network, making it far more challenging for intruders to access other sensitive areas.

4. Simplified compliance

Zero Trust makes it easier to meet regulatory requirements, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS. With strict data access policies and continuous monitoring, organisations can demonstrate controlled access and transparency, helping them stay compliant and avoid costly penalties.

5. Lower breach costs

Organisations using Zero Trust saved nearly $1 million on average in breach-related expenses compared to those without it. By reducing incidents and limiting potential damage, Zero Trust offers clear, long-term savings.

These benefits make Zero Trust a smart investment, strengthening data protection, supporting compliance, and cutting down the financial impact of potential breaches.

Challenges of Zero Trust 

Implementing Zero Trust can be challenging, but these hurdles offer a chance to strengthen your security and streamline operations. While the shift might seem complex and costly at first, the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial obstacles.

Let’s dive into the main challenges and how to overcome them.

• Implementation complexity: Zero Trust is a big transition and requires careful planning, especially with older systems. It can be a complex process, but with the right strategy and possibly some third-party expertise, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
• Cost of implementation: Zero Trust can be resource-heavy upfront. A recent survey found that 56% of organisations cite cost as a major barrier. However, the long-term savings from reduced data breaches and regulatory fines make the investment worth it. 
• Potential productivity impact: Some worry that strict policies might slow down workflows. While Zero Trust needs to protect sensitive data, it should also allow employees to access what they need without delay. The key is balancing security with usability—no one wants security to become a bottleneck.
• Expertise requirement: Many organisations lack the internal skills to implement Zero Trust. A skills gap is a concern for 51% of businesses. Working with a third-party expert or hiring the right talent can help bridge this gap for a smooth transition—without overburdening your team.

These challenges are manageable with proper planning, the right support, and a clear focus on long-term security. Implementing Zero Trust can strengthen your organisation’s defences and boost operational efficiency in the process.

How Metomic can help

Metomic offers several features that can really help businesses implement and maintain a Zero Trust security model, giving you more control over your sensitive data in cloud and SaaS environments.

• Data discovery and classification: Metomic automatically finds and classifies sensitive data across your cloud and SaaS apps. This makes it easier to set up granular access controls, which is a key part of Zero Trust—ensuring only the right people have access to the right data.
• Automated access controls: Metomic helps you set up automated policies to control who can access sensitive data. By following the Zero Trust idea of “never trust, always verify”, you can make sure only authorised users get in, no matter where they are.
• Real time monitoring and alerts: Metomic keeps an eye on your cloud environments 24/7, sending you instant alerts if there’s an issue—So you can act fast if something goes wrong.
• Employee education: Metomic helps turn your team into a “Human Firewall” by sending alerts when someone breaches security policies. These notifications educate employees on security best practices, helping them stay vigilant and aligned with Zero Trust principles.
• Compliance support: Metomic helps you stay on top of regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001. This ensures you’re following the right security practices while implementing Zero Trust across your organisation.

Getting started with Metomic

Getting started with Metomic to implement Zero Trust is straightforward, and it can make a real difference in securing your organisation’s data. Here’s how you can begin:

• Free risk assessment: Start with a free risk assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities in your current security practices. Metomic will help you pinpoint gaps in access control, monitoring, and data protection that could be holding you back from fully implementing a Zero Trust model.
• Book a personalised demo: Interested in seeing how Metomic can support your Zero Trust strategy? Schedule a personalised demo to explore features like automated data classification, real-time monitoring, and custom alerts that help you enforce Zero Trust policies—ensuring only authorised users have access to your sensitive data.
• Connect with us: Have specific questions or want to discuss how to roll out Zero Trust across your organisation? Contact our team to learn more about how Metomic can help you achieve continuous control over access to your data.