As remote work continues to become increasingly popular, employees are creating and accessing sensitive data from their homes and other remote locations, causing a number of security concerns for organizations of all sizes. 

However, each company has the ability to protect its employees, information, and infrastructure through security tools, such as zero trust.  

Below, we’re going to discuss what zero trust security is and how it can help keep your organization secure: 

What is a zero trust security model?

A zero trust security model is, at its core, exactly what it sounds like: it’s a system that never trusts — instead, it requires consistent verification to access any documents or other sensitive information. 

An example of a zero trust system is BeyondCorp, which Google says, “began as an internal Google initiative to enable every employee to work from untrusted networks without the use of a VPN.”

How can your organization work safer with Digital Workplace?

BeyondCorp was just one of the facets of Google’s Work Safer initiative that was rolled out in October 2021. 

In addition, reCAPTCHA Enterprise, Titan Security Keys, Chrome Enterprise, and other similar security tools were featured in this offer to help protect organizations against cybersecurity threats. 

These tools allow your organization two main operational advantages: 

1. Seamless operations

First, it gives you the opportunity to smoothly run your business in a number of ways, including: 

• Productivity. By allowing your team to have instant access to documents, virtual meeting spaces, scheduling tools, and more, they can accomplish everything they need to with the click of a button. 
• Remote collaboration. Your team members can collaborate on the same document at the same time to reach their end product faster, without the hassle of unnecessary back-and-forth communication. 
• Global hiring. Thanks to Digital Workplace, you can hire team members all around the world. Your organization no longer has to be tied to a geographic location, allowing you to hire the right people no matter where they’re located. 
  

2. Organization-wide security

Second, it allows you to protect your organization’s information. A zero trust system takes away the traditional firewall approach to cybersecurity. Instead, the security is at the individual document or file level.

It requires authentication on three levels: 

• Are you who you say you are?
• Are you connected to a trusted network? 
• Are you utilizing a trusted device? 

Through multi-factor and other authentication methods, the zero trust security system answers these questions. Once it has done that, it provides you a certain level of access based on the answers. 

For example, if you prove your security with all three of these questions, you’ll be given full access for your role. However, if you’ve confirmed that you are who you say you are and that you’re working on a trusted device, but you’re on a coffee shop’s network, you may only be given access to documents with low security classification due to the cybersecurity concerns that come from using a public network. 

One of the most important aspects of the zero trust system is the control it provides. This function allows you to create a system designed specifically for your organization. 

Your organization’s designated Digital Workplace administrators will have the ability to apply user policies that control access to documents and files based on classifications you define. While some lower-classification documents might be okay for an employee working on a public network, your organization might require that all highly-classified documents only be accessed through an organization-approved network. 

Ready to get started? 

Google’s collaboration tools are flexible, easy to use, and secure. In addition, they provide collaboration throughout your organization and can now feature an extra layer of protection through Google’s Work Safer initiative. 

The fastest way to security, productivity, and improved workplace collaboration in Digital Workplace is through Onix’s Quick Start packages and training sessions. Whether your organization is looking to shift your legacy process to a digital solution or maximize Digital Workplace for remote work, we’re here to help with cost-effective, in-depth training programs.