What is a Zero-Trust Access Network? and How to Implement Zero-Trust RDP?

The Zero Trust approach to cybersecurity is a way of managing and protecting data to reduce the number of vulnerabilities.

13:56 19 March 2022

In today’s world, the security of a network is not only about protecting the data from external threats, but also insiders. Zero-trust access networks are a new form of security that ensures that every single device has to be authenticated before it can access the system.

 

They require all devices to be authenticated, which includes both endpoints and servers. This means that even if one endpoint is compromised, it cannot affect any other endpoint or server on the network because they are all protected by different sets of credentials. A zero trust RDP (remote desktop protocol) is a type of remote desktop protocol that requires authentication before granting a user full access.

 

History of zero trust access network

Zero trust is an idea that was introduced by its founder John Kindervag, it was based on the idea that no one should be trusted whether they are inside the organization or outside. This created the well-known security system that is known as “Zero trust”. It was first launched by its owner in 2010 addressing security and questioning the essence of the sense of security that an organization trusts their employees with.

 

This approach to network security has been around for many years. In the past, it was called "defense in depth." It was not a new idea, but it was not well-known or used.

 

Should I use VPN and RDP for security?

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a network that allows you to connect to another network over the Internet. This is often used for remote access and telecommuting. A VPN can also be used to provide security and privacy when using an untrusted public network.

 

An RDP, or Remote Desktop Protocol, is a protocol that allows a user to access another computer's desktop remotely. This is often used in enterprise environments where employees need remote access to their work computers from home or while on business trips.

 

The answer depends on what you are trying to accomplish with your internet connection. If you are trying to protect your data from being stolen, then yes, it is recommended that you use VPN and RDP for security purposes. If you are just looking for convenience and speed, then no, it is not necessary.

 

Considerations before implementing a zero-trust RDP

 

Zero-trust RDP is a network architecture that can be implemented to reduce the risk of a data breach. This way, if a user’s computer is compromised, it will not have access to sensitive data. The following considerations should be taken into account before implementing a zero-trust RDP:

 

1) The architecture should be carefully planned and designed based on the organization’s needs and requirements.

2) It will require significant investment in time and resources from IT teams.

3) It is not suitable for organizations with limited IT resources or where downtime cannot be tolerated.

4) Is your organization's data worth protecting?

5) What is your organization's risk tolerance?

6) What is your budget for security solutions?

 

A remote desktop service provider is a company that offers remote desktop services to its clients. A reliable Remote Desktop (RDP) Server should have qualities such as; the company should be able to provide a secure connection between the client and the server. It should be able to provide high-quality services to the customers. It should be able to offer good pricing options with flexible payment plans.

 

Definition of a zero-trust architecture

A zero-trust architecture is a security architecture that assumes that all networks are untrusted and no user, process, or device should be given complete trust. It's based on the assumption that any network can be breached at any time, so it's necessary to design systems in a way to mitigate these risks. The architecture uses an authentication and authorization process that is applied to every connection and monitors all traffic between devices.

 

A zero-trust architecture has many benefits for enterprise IT. It can provide better visibility into what is happening on their networks and can help them identify unauthorized devices and users. This type of architecture also eliminates the need to place devices in DMZs or segment networks into different zones to manage risk.

 

Using Active Directory Group Policy to implement Zero Trust for RDP

If there is nothing that has been configured in the active directory. RDP settings will be determined to discover what happens to the RDP’s access device mappings. In default settings printer redirection and drive mapping is allowed by the MSTSC (RDP), to control all of the above you have to use the Active Directory Group

 

Using Endpoint Policy to implement Zero Trust for RDP.

Endpoint Policy is a security measure that ensures that all the traffic going through the endpoint is encrypted. It also ensures that the traffic coming in and out of the endpoint is analyzed to ensure that it is not malicious.

 

This policy provides an additional layer of security for Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). It prevents unauthorized users from accessing your computer remotely. This type of protection can be implemented on any Windows operating system.

 

The Zero Trust approach to cybersecurity is a way of managing and protecting data to reduce the number of vulnerabilities. It aims to protect the data by implementing layers of security, making it difficult for attackers to access it. The term Zero Trust is an umbrella term that includes several different technologies, including network segmentation, vulnerability management, authentication/authorization controls, multi-factor authentication, and encryption.

 

It is a relatively new concept in cybersecurity that has gained prominence in recent years because it seems to be less expensive than traditional approaches. This model requires the implementation of a variety of security measures such as multifactor authentication, encryption, application whitelisting, endpoint protection, log monitoring, and more. As time passes by the technologies become more and more advanced, the hacking is the ugly side of the story. To counter the advances of hackers, such technological advances are crucial and implementation of such tools is compulsory.