Protecting your network isn’t just about blocking attackers at the gate—it’s about controlling everything inside and outside that gate, too. Two strategies dominate the modern security conversation: Zero Trust and Least Privilege. Both aim to minimise risk, but they take different routes. When combined, they could be the ideal cyber-defence for your BYOD or corporate devices.
So, how do they stack up? Let’s dive into the mechanics:
Zero Trust: Trust No One, No Device
Forget the old idea of a secure perimeter. With Zero Trust, the assumption is that no one and nothing is trustworthy—whether they’re already inside your network or coming from outside.
Every access request, from users to devices, must be authenticated, authorised and continuously verified. This isn’t just a one-time login check. Zero Trust keeps verifying users at every step, ensuring their device health and behaviour are consistently up to par.
In a world where remote work and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) are the norm, Zero Trust shines by protecting sensitive data across multiple endpoints. Even if an attacker compromises credentials, they’ll hit roadblocks at each checkpoint, preventing them from wreaking havoc.
Key Benefits:
- Continuous, real-time security checks.
- Threat containment by limiting lateral movement.
- Ideal for remote and hybrid work environments.
Least Privilege: Access Denied (Unless You Really Need It)
The principles around Least Privilege are all about giving users (and their devices) only the access they absolutely need to do their jobs—no more, no less. If you don’t need access to the finance system to fulfil your role, then you don’t get it, plain and simple. This severely limits an attacker’s ability to move through systems if they compromise a user account.
By implementing Least Privilege, you ensure that users can only interact with the data or resources their role requires. This reduces unnecessary access, which in turn reduces your attack surface.
Key Benefits:
- Restricts access to only necessary resources.
- Minimises risk from compromised credentials or insider threats.
- Enhances compliance with regulatory standards like GDPR.
Can They Fit Together?
Zero Trust and Least Privilege aren’t mutually exclusive—in fact, they could be better together. Think of Zero Trust as the overarching security strategy that watches everyone at all times, ensuring they’re constantly verified. Then, within that structure, Least Privilege restricts what even verified users can access.
By combining these approaches, you create multiple layers of security. Even if someone gets past the verification checkpoints of Zero Trust, Least Privilege keeps them locked into their specific roles and limits any potential damage—this is great for an organisation that operates BYOD.
Real-World Application
Consider this scenario: a remote employee is trying to access your company’s HR portal. With Zero Trust, the system verifies their identity and device posture. But even after they’ve been authenticated, Least Privilege ensures they can only see their own payroll information, not the entire HR database. This two-pronged approach significantly reduces the risk of data breaches, insider threats and malicious attacks.
Building a Secure Future
Neither Zero Trust nor Least Privilege is a magic bullet on its own, but together, they form a robust defence. Zero Trust watches every door, every time, while Least Privilege limits the damage even if someone sneaks through.
Both strategies are vital as organisations face increasingly complex threats from outside hackers, insider threats and even well-meaning employees who might accidentally click the wrong link.
By leveraging these strategies, your company or institution can move beyond the outdated “castle and moat” security model and embrace a future where every access request is a potential threat. Every user has exactly the permissions they need—nothing more.
Academia’s Tech Solutions team can help you strengthen your cyber defences by optimising ZTNA and Least Privilege cyber tools that secure your devices. For Apple devices, we can provide security tools from Jamf, the best MDM for secure technology.
To book a Discovery Call, speak to your Account Manager or get in touch by completing our contact form here.
Gary Collins | Head of Apple Solutions
