Zero Trust for NHIs Based on Robust Identity and Access Management for a Resilient IoT Future

Area of Science:

• Cybersecurity
• Computer Networks
• Internet of Things (IoT) Security

Background:

• The widespread use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices introduces significant security challenges, particularly in managing identities and access for non-human entities.
• Traditional security models are insufficient for the dynamic and distributed nature of IoT environments.
• Identity and Access Management (IAM) for non-human entities is a critical vulnerability in current IoT security frameworks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the application of Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) for enhancing security in IoT ecosystems.
• To specifically address the challenges of managing non-human identities within IoT environments using ZTA principles.
• To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of ZTA in resource-constrained IoT settings.

Main Methods:

• Investigated the core principles of ZTA, including least privilege, micro-segmentation, continuous monitoring, and identity-centric access control.
• Analyzed the implementation of these principles within the context of IoT devices and their unique constraints.
• Identified and discussed critical challenges and considerations for applying identity-based ZTA in IoT.

Main Results:

• Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) provides a strong security framework for IoT ecosystems, particularly for managing non-human identities.
• Effective implementation of ZTA principles can significantly mitigate cyber risks associated with IoT adoption.
• Key challenges in applying ZTA to resource-constrained IoT environments were identified.

Conclusions:

• Zero Trust Architecture is a foundational strategy for securing contemporary IoT environments.
• Further research is needed to explore advanced integration of ZTA into diverse IoT applications.
• Adopting an identity-centric, 'never trust, always verify' approach is crucial for future IoT security.