Implementing Zero Trust Security for Electronic Product Development

With the risk of cyber threats increasing and evolving on an almost daily basis and malicious actors targeting organizations indiscriminately, it has become imperative that electronics design teams prepare for the worst. The old methods used to secure apps and workspaces in the cloud are no longer sufficient. Traditional data security and compliance measures, often focused on perimeter defense, are struggling to protect against modern, sophisticated attacks; with that in mind, companies must look to alternatives.

Perimeter-based security models, which rely on firewalls and intrusion detection systems to protect network boundaries, were supreme for a long time but are no longer adequate. Such models assume that everything inside the network is trusted, making them vulnerable to internal threats and advanced attacks that successfully bypass perimeter defenses. 

Zero Trust is a security model that challenges the traditional assumption of trust in a cloud environment. Zero-trust data protection strategies operate on the principle of “never trust, always verify” and require continuous authentication and authorization of users and devices accessing a cloud workspace, regardless of their location. Through the adoption of zero trust architectures, electronics design organizations can enhance their security posture and protect their valuable intellectual property.

Zero Trust Data Protection: Understanding Zero Trust Principles

Never Trust, Always Verify

The core principle of Zero Trust is to never trust any user or device, regardless of its origin. What does this mean? Every access request, whether from an internal employee or an external partner, must be rigorously verified. By eliminating implicit trust, organizations can substantially reduce the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches. 

Least Privilege Access

The principle of least privilege access dictates that users should be granted only the minimum necessary permissions to perform their job functions, which helps to limit the potential damage caused by a compromised account. By assigning granular permissions, organizations can ensure that users only have access to the resources they need. 

Continuous Verification

In a Zero Trust environment, continuous verification is essential. This involves ongoing monitoring and authentication of users and devices connected to the cloud. By regularly assessing behavior and user activity, organizations can detect and respond to threats in real time. 

Micro-Segmentation

Micro-segmentation, as indicated by the name, involves dividing networks into smaller, isolated segments, which limits the scope of potential attacks and the consequent organizational impact of a successful breach. In this case, through the careful segmentation of the network, IT teams can use silos to protect sensitive data and critical systems from unauthorized access. 

Why Is Zero Trust Important for Electronic Product Development?

Electronics design teams handle valuable intellectual property (IP) that includes PCB layouts, project documentation, and bill of materials (BOMs). Electronics design data is a tempting target for ransomware, corporate espionage, and even state-sponsored attacks in some sectors. In 2024, the average cost of a data breach reached $4.88 million, and ransomware complaints to the FBI increased by 9% from the previous year.

A robust zero-trust architecture helps counter these threats. Binding every workflow to zero-trust identity and authentication ensures that only authorized engineers and contractors can access sensitive data. Zero-trust endpoint security verifies the security of remote devices. Micro-segmentation locks design files into isolated zones, delivering zero-trust data protection that satisfies data security and compliance standards. Organizations with mature zero trust cut breach costs by 42%.

Implementing Zero Trust in Electronics Design Environments

The initial step in implementing Zero Trust is pinpointing the organization’s crucial assets. In the context of electronics design, these assets often include intellectual property, design data, supply chain information, and customer data. Once these assets have been identified, organizations can prioritize their security efforts and allocate resources accordingly.

The following four sections are critical components of Zero Trust architecture; you will find key strategies listed below each.  

Establishing a Zero Trust Identity and Access Management (IAM) Framework

• Mandating strong password policies and requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA) to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access. 
• Using Single Sign-On (SSO) to streamline the login process for users while enhancing security. 
• Reviewing and updating user access privileges regularly to help ensure that users only possess access to the resources they necessitate. 
• Leveraging technologies like directory services (Active Directory, LDAP), identify providers (IdP), and privileged access management (PAM) solutions to manage user identities and access rights.

Securing Network Infrastructure

• Dividing the network into smaller segments to help contain the impact of a breach. 
• Using firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) to monitor network traffic and protect against attacks. 
• Encrypting data both at rest and in transit to help safeguard sensitive information within the system. 
• Implementing next-gen firewalls (NGFW), intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and security information and event management (SIEM) systems to enhance network security.

Protecting Endpoints

• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions can help detect and respond to threats on endpoint devices (physical devices connected to networks to share information).
• Keeping software current through regular updates and patches can help mitigate exploitable vulnerabilities.
• Enforcing strong security policies, such as device encryption and secure boot, can also help protect endpoint devices. 

Securing the Supply Chain

• Conducting thorough risk assessments when selecting and auditing vendors can help identify and reduce supply chain risks.
• Implementing secure software development lifecycles (SDLCs) will help to make the software more secure throughout its development lifecycle.
• Limiting third-party vendor access to sensitive information through stricter access controls is key to plugging potential leaks or preventing important data from falling into the wrong hands if partners are breached.
• Adhering to relevant standards like ISO 27001 and NIST SP 800-171 to ensure supply chain security. 

Challenges and Considerations

Cultural Shift

Implementing Zero Trust will require a notable cultural shift within an organization; employees are often resistant to increased security measures, such as MFA and strict access controls, as they are often seen as a hindrance to productivity. That being said, it is most important that management educates employees about the importance of Zero Trust and the benefits it provides.

Complexity and Cost

This system is neither simple nor cheap to implement. It requires heavy investment in technology, expertise, and ongoing maintenance, as well as the training mentioned above. However, the long-term benefits of a solid Zero Trust security posture, which include reduced risk of data breaches, improved compliance with industry regulations, and better brand reputation, often outweigh the short-term pain of initial outlay. 

Balancing Security and Productivity

Striking the right balance between security and productivity is key to all transformations. Overly restrictive security measures often, as suspected by resistant employees, hinder productivity, adding a layer of effort to already taxing tasks. It’s essential to strike a balance that ensures security without compromising user experience, or the new system's acceptance and adoption will be resisted.

Note: With regard to user experience, remember that a well-designed Zero Trust implementation should minimize friction for users; user-friendly interfaces, automated processes, and just-in-time access often make a huge difference for employees.

The Future of Electronics Design Security

With a growing threat landscape constantly targeting cloud applications and workspaces, it’s incredibly important that organizations keep up with or, ideally, stay ahead of the curve. To do so, they must adopt a proactive approach to security. By embracing Zero Trust data protection, electronics design teams working in the cloud have a much better chance of securing their sensitive information and sustaining the long-term success of their business. It isn’t simple; it isn’t cheap. What it is, however, is a surefire sign to consumers, external and internal stakeholders, and governments that your company is secure and ready to continue innovation efforts without a cataclysmic breach that leaves relevant parties at risk. 

Altium 365 is setting the standard for electronics design and data management in the cloud with its native enterprise-grade security features, Organizational Security Package, and access to services on AWS GovCloud. For more information on designing electronics in the cloud, visit Altium 365 today.