“This article previously appeared on archtis.com and is reposted with permission from
archTIS.
Securing Intellectual Property and Military Secrets: A Zero Trust Approach
Preventing Insider Threats and Safeguarding Sensitive Data
In the ever-evolving landscape of data security, the theft of intellectual property (IP) and military secrets remains a persistent and concerning challenge. The culprits? Insiders, including contractors, who wield legitimate access to sensitive information but sometimes exploit it for malicious purposes. In this article, we delve into the growing threat of insider breaches and explore how a zero-trust approach, specifically Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) policies, can revolutionize data security protocols to prevent the illicit exfiltration of valuable information.
The Ongoing Challenge: Insider Breaches of Sensitive Data
A stark example of the severity of insider threats emerged in November 2022, when Quadrant Magnetics and three contracted employees faced charges for illegally sending export-controlled defense-related technical data to China. These allegations underscore the gravity of IP and military data theft, impacting not only enterprises but also defense agencies’ competitive and military advantage. The need for stringent data protection measures has never been more evident.
Evaluating Access and Handling of Sensitive Data
To tackle the insider threat head-on, organizations must answer pivotal questions regarding data access and handling. It’s imperative to determine where sensitive data resides, its level of sensitivity, and the regulatory policies governing its protection. Additionally, addressing the crucial matter of who has access to this data and the extent of their access rights is essential. From editing and copy-pasting to sharing and printing, the breadth of actions that authorized users can take with sensitive data demands meticulous evaluation.
A Paradigm Shift: Embracing a Zero Trust Model
Traditional security tools often fail to adequately address insider threats due to their inherent limitations. This is where the concept of zero trust steps in. This security framework necessitates stringent authentication, authorization, and continuous validation of users before granting access to networks, applications, and data—whether the user is inside or outside the network.
However, the true innovation lies in adopting a data-centric approach within the zero-trust framework. Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) emerges as the linchpin of this approach, enabling organizations to implement multi-level security by assessing a combination of attributes. User-related factors like nationality and clearance, environmental attributes such as location and device, and data-specific elements like sensitivity and classification all contribute to the dynamic access control mechanism of ABAC.
Enhancing Data Security with ABAC Policies
Unlike traditional role-based access control, ABAC provides real-time contextual data security that adapts access rights based on prevailing conditions during access. This responsive approach ensures that access is never granted solely based on predefined roles, mitigating potential risks associated with carte blanche permissions.
Interestingly, ABAC’s capabilities extend beyond mere access control. The innovative information security technologies offered by archTIS, such as Kojensi and NC Protect, employ ABAC policies to enforce granular controls on user interactions with data post-access. This includes presenting users with read-only views to deter copying or downloading sensitive information. Dynamic watermarks add an extra layer of security by imprinting documents with user-specific details, raising awareness about document sensitivity and tracking unauthorized sharing attempts.
Striking the Balance: Empowering Enterprises and Defence
Security, undoubtedly, is a delicate balance between access and control. archTIS’ ABAC-powered solutions epitomize this balance, empowering enterprises and the defence industry to maintain the delicate equilibrium between access needs and robust controls. By effectively utilizing ABAC policies, organizations can thwart insider threats, prevent the leakage of IP and military secrets, and fortify their competitive edge.
In conclusion, as the risk of insider threats looms large, the importance of safeguarding intellectual property and military secrets cannot be overstated. The integration of a zero-trust model bolstered by Attribute-Based Access Control policies emerges as a beacon of hope in the realm of data security. This dynamic approach not only ensures the authorization of users but also regulates their actions post-authorization. With archTIS’ innovative solutions at the helm, organizations can navigate the complex landscape of data security, maintaining their stronghold on valuable information and preventing it from falling into the wrong hands.
“This article previously appeared on archtis.com and is reposted with permission from
archTIS.