Achieving unified visibility for effective zero trust implementation

As federal agencies advance their zero trust implementations, the next crucial step is achieving unified visibility across all systems, users and interactions. Zero trust cannot be effective at speed and scale without this level of observability.

To achieve this unified visibility, all components of a zero trust architecture must generate data that is observable, available and able to be correlated within a unified data plane, regardless of data type, source or location. The data layer must operate across cloud, on-premises and in disrupted, disconnected, intermittent and low-bandwidth (DDIL) environments that are part of Defense and intelligence operations.

Often referred to as a “data mesh,” this approach enables agencies to ingest and make sense of telemetry from users, devices and tools across the entire ecosystem. It provides fast access to all data, enabling searches across all locations with a single query. Additionally, affordable data storage and effective data lifecycle management are essential for overseeing this unified data layer.

A recent NSA white paper underscores the critical role of the data layer within a zero trust architecture.

Data challenges

Implementing a unified data layer can be quite challenging for agencies because data is often scattered across various departments, systems and applications, leading to inconsistencies and conflicting information. Moreover, ensuring that data is secure and compliant with regulations is critical. Extracting and integrating data from different sources can expose sensitive information. Furthermore, integrating diverse data sources and formats can be technically challenging, requiring sophisticated tools and expertise to ensure seamless data integration.

Cybersecurity analysts must collect data from disparate sources, normalize and visualize it, and then run analytics. This requires a unified data layer where IT and security operation teams can collaborate across the zero trust pillars: identity, devices, networks, applications and workloads, and data. When it comes to zero trust, operating in data silos is not an option.

How can a unified data layer powered by AI help?

With data coming from numerous sources, a common data layer is essential for bringing together IT and cybersecurity teams as they support agencies’ missions. A primary benefit that the combination of search functionality and AI provides is the ability to ingest data from any system across all parts of the zero trust pillars into a shared data environment that operates at the speed of emerging cyber risks. Agencies’ IT and cybersecurity teams can index, query and analyze disparate data streams at the volumes and speeds that zero trust requires.

In addition, agencies can leverage AI at scale regardless of their size or complexity. This unified approach allows for more efficient data processing, better analytics and more effective decision-making. By integrating search capabilities, AI and analytics, agencies can enhance their ability to detect threats, automate responses and predict future risks, all while maintaining a cohesive and secure data environment. This ensures that the zero trust architecture and its associated solutions operate efficiently and effectively.

IT and security teams are often tasked to “do more with less,” including fewer security resources and training. Budget constraints are a significant issue, especially for agencies with legacy IT and security systems. Many agencies lack the budget to overhaul their existing infrastructure. This is where agencies can start wherever they are in implementing zero trust principles and capabilities. A data mesh approach can be integrated into different zero trust architectures in phases using existing investments. At the same time, agencies can move steadily toward a unified data layer, eventually integrating all components of their ecosystem.

Therefore, it’s crucial to choose technology that continually adds value to the mission, including event logging, application performance monitoring, and security information and event management systems. Point solutions alone are insufficient. A comprehensive, platform-agnostic approach that incorporates these capabilities is necessary to avoid data silos and ensure interoperability.

Enhancing logging procedures, implementing a zero trust security model, and improving investigative and remediation capabilities are essential to improving the government’s ability to identify and respond to cybersecurity incidents.

Strengthening federal cyber defenses

While the path to zero trust maturity is complex and demanding, a unified data layer is indispensable for federal agencies. Achieving unified visibility is paramount for the effective implementation of zero trust. A data mesh approach serves as the foundation for this unified data layer, enabling comprehensive observability across all systems, users and interactions. By integrating data from diverse sources into a cohesive environment, agencies can enhance their ability to detect, respond to and predict cyber threats efficiently. This approach not only strengthens defenses against sophisticated threats but also ensures compliance with federal mandates, supporting the mission-critical operations of federal agencies.

John Harmon is regional vice president for cyber solutions at Elastic.