Building a Stronger Security Perimeter with NSI and Zero Trust

Ransomware attacks surged 73% in 2024, per Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report, while insider threats—whether malicious or accidental—account for 30% of breaches. Hybrid work models and cloud services have blurred traditional network boundaries, making old-school firewalls less effective. Add supply chain attacks, like the 2023 MOVEit breach, and it’s clear: no business, from SMBs to enterprises, is immune.

Zero Trust addresses these challenges head-on. Gartner predicts 60% of organizations will adopt Zero Trust by 2025, and for good reason.

• Reduced Risk: By verifying every access request, Zero Trust minimizes unauthorized access.
• Compliance Support: Aligns with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and NIST 800-53, avoiding costly fines.
• Cost Savings: Fewer breaches mean lower recovery costs—IBM estimates proactive security saves $2 million per incident.
• Flexibility: Works for on-premises, cloud, or hybrid environments, perfect for modern workforces.

What is Zero Trust?

Zero Trust is a security framework built on a simple premise: trust nothing, verify everything. Unlike traditional models that assume users inside a network are safe, Zero Trust treats every access request—whether from an employee, contractor, or device—as a potential threat. It’s like airport security: everyone gets screened, no matter who they are or where they’re coming from.

The concept, pioneered by Forrester in 2010, has gained traction as remote work, cloud adoption, and sophisticated cyberattacks have exposed the flaws of perimeter-based security. Zero Trust revolves around five core principles:

• Verify Identity: Authenticate every user and device using multi-factor authentication (MFA) and identity checks.
• Least Privilege: Grant only the minimum access needed for a task, reducing the attack surface.
• Assume Breach: Operate as if a breach has already occurred, focusing on containment and quick response.
• Micro-Segmentation: Divide networks into smaller, isolated zones to limit lateral movement by attackers.
• Continuous Monitoring: Use real-time analytics to detect and respond to anomalies instantly.

Here’s a quick overview:

While these principles sound technical, they’re about reducing risk in a practical way. Solutions like those from Network Solutions, Inc. streamline implementation, so businesses can adopt Zero Trust without overhauling their entire infrastructure.

Key Pillars of Zero Trust Security

Zero Trust works because it’s built on a strong set of security pillars:

• Verify Explicitly: Always authenticate and authorize based on multiple factors — identity, device health, location, and more.
• Use Least Privilege Access: Give users only the access they need to do their job, and nothing more.
• Assume Breach: Operate under the mindset that attackers may already be inside, and design controls to limit their movement.

Together, these principles reduce the risk of unauthorized access and limit the damage even if credentials are compromised.

How Zero Trust Works: A Step-by-Step Guide

Implementing Zero Trust might seem daunting, but it’s a manageable process when broken down. Here’s a practical roadmap to get started, based on industry best practices:

1. Assess Your Environment
   Map out your assets (servers, apps, devices), users, and data flows. Identify sensitive data—like customer records or intellectual property—and pinpoint vulnerabilities. Tools like network discovery software can automate this, revealing hidden risks.
2. Define Strict Policies
   Establish rules for access. Require MFA for all users, encrypt data in transit and at rest, and set granular permissions. For example, a marketing employee shouldn’t access financial systems. Policies should align with your business needs and compliance requirements.
3. Deploy Zero Trust Tools
   Invest in solutions like identity and access management (IAM), endpoint detection and response (EDR), and network segmentation software. Cloud-based platforms, like those offered by Network Solutions, Inc., integrate these seamlessly, often with AI-driven threat detection to spot anomalies.
4. Segment Your Network
   Break your network into smaller zones. For instance, isolate HR systems from development servers. This limits an attacker’s ability to move laterally if they breach one area. Software-defined perimeters (SDPs) make this easier than traditional VLANs.
5. Monitor and Adapt
   Use real-time analytics to track user behavior and network activity. Machine learning can flag unusual patterns—like a login from an unfamiliar location. Regularly review logs and adjust policies as your business evolves.

Challenges to Expect:

• Legacy Systems: Older infrastructure may not support modern Zero Trust tools, requiring phased upgrades.
• Cultural Resistance: Employees may resist new authentication steps. Training and clear communication are key.
• Scalability: Growing businesses need solutions that scale without breaking the bank.

Implementing Zero Trust doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here’s a quick starter roadmap:

1. Assess Your Current Security Posture – Identify gaps in identity management, network segmentation, and monitoring.
2. Prioritize High-Risk Areas – Protect sensitive data and systems first.
3. Strengthen Identity & Access Controls – Use multi-factor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), and conditional access policies.
4. Segment Your Network – Isolate critical assets to limit lateral movement.
5. Continuously Monitor & Improve – Use analytics and real-time alerts to catch threats early.

Zero Trust is a journey, not a one-time project — but the sooner you start, the safer your organization becomes.

 Learn more about Zero Trust by reading our 4 part blog series:

Part 1 - Steps to Implementing Zero Trust

Part 2 - Zero Trust Best Practices: Actionable Steps for Building a Resilient Security Framework

Part 3 - Zero Trust Common Challenges and Solutions

Part 4 - Measuring Success with Zero Trust

 NSI’s Approach to Security

NSI's security approach is holistic and streamlined, centered on a unified security stack in collaboration with Cisco. This strategy leverages industry-leading tools like Cisco Talos Threat Intelligence and AI-driven Extended Detection and Response (XDR) to simplify IT security management, eliminate blind spots, and provide comprehensive protection across networks, endpoints, cloud applications, and email. Rather than relying on disjointed, best-of-breed tools from multiple vendors, NSI focuses on a bundled, integrated ecosystem that reduces complexity, costs, and potential points of failure. Their methodology ensures 24/7 protection, scalability with business growth, and alignment with organizational objectives, allowing clients to focus on core operations while NSI manages the security landscape.

This approach is executed through managed services under their ADVANCE portfolio, including Secure Network (for reliable connectivity), Secure User (for endpoint and user protection), and Everyone Connected (for secure collaboration tools). Compliance is addressed implicitly through gap identification and tailored plans, while incident response is embedded in their detection and response capabilities.

The 3-Step Methodology: Assess, Protect, Detect and Respond

NSI employs a proven 3-step process to deliver security solutions, drawing on Cisco's capabilities to assess risks, implement protections, and handle threats proactively. Here's a breakdown of each step:

• Assess: This initial phase involves a free Gap Analysis to evaluate the client's enterprise-level network infrastructure, identify specific security challenges, and outline a clear path forward. It helps pinpoint vulnerabilities and tailor solutions to the business's unique needs, setting the foundation for effective security implementation.
• Protect: Building on the assessment, this step focuses on closing identified gaps through digital transformation initiatives that align with team, infrastructure, and business goals. It utilizes Cisco Talos for proactive threat blocking and over 400 third-party integrations to enhance existing investments, providing robust safeguards across various environments without introducing compatibility issues.
• Detect and Respond: The final step ensures ongoing vigilance with AI-driven XDR for threat detection and rapid incident response, offering 24/7 monitoring and managed services like Cisco XDR. This phase emphasizes quick, effective handling of incidents to minimize downtime and maintain peace of mind.

Key Differentiators

NSI stands out in the security landscape through several unique attributes that emphasize simplicity, expertise, and customer focus:

• Unified Security Stack: Unlike competitors' fragmented approaches, NSI's Cisco-powered bundle integrates seamlessly, reducing operational complexity and coverage gaps while amplifying third-party tools.
• Long-Standing Cisco Expertise: As a Cisco-exclusive partner since 1996 and a Gold Provider, NSI brings decades of specialized knowledge, including awards like 2024 Cisco Partner of the Year, which enables them to deliver advanced, reliable solutions tailored to regional clients.
• Free Assessments and Tailored Services: The complimentary Gap Analysis provides immediate value, helping businesses identify and address issues without upfront costs, while managed services allow clients to offload security management.
• Scalability and Customer-Centric Culture: Solutions scale with business needs, supported by a family-first philosophy that prioritizes client success, as evidenced by their recognition as a Best Place to Work nominee and work with clients in the education, local and state government, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors.

Overall, NSI's security approach combines proactive methodology with deep vendor integration to offer efficient, effective protection that differentiates them as a trusted, regional IT partner.

The days of “trust but verify” are over. In a world where every connection could be a breach waiting to happen, Zero Trust offers a smarter, more resilient approach to security.

At Network Solutions, Inc., we help organizations implement Zero Trust frameworks that work seamlessly with their business operations — so security strengthens without slowing productivity.

Ready to take the next step?
Let’s build your Zero Trust future together. Contact us today to start your security assessment.