Ethics and Zero Trust: Striking a balance between security and privacy

Zero Trust is based on the idea that trust should not be implicitly based on a user's location or the network they resides. Instead, the organisation must explicitly authenticate each user and device prior to accessing corporate resources. Access is time delimited and bound to minimal required authorisations. We achieve this by using a combination of technologies, such as multi-factor authentication, network segmentation and behavioural analysis, to identify and prevent suspicious activity. The benefits of a Zero Trust approach are clear: it reduces the risk of data breaches, minimises the impact of internal and external threats, and provides a resilient and scalable security infrastructure. Also, Zero Trust creates a mindset where every user is constantly authenticated and re-authorised, significantly reducing the vulnerability of organisations' ICT landscape. 

Although Zero Trust is a powerful tool for information security, there are ethical issues that arise on implementation. The increased level of control and verification can affect users' privacy and reduce the sense of trust in the organisation. Below are some of the ethical challenges that arise when deploying Zero Trust.  

1. Privacy: Zero Trust requires the collection and analysis of huge amounts of data about users and their behaviour. This includes sensitive information such as personal preferences, location data and online activities. It is essential for privacy protection (GDPR), that this data is not misused. Data protection should be achieved at the highest possible level. Organisations need to establish clear policies. Among other things, on what data are collected, how they are used and how long they are kept. Transparency, user control and data protection should be central to ensuring user privacy 
2. Bias and discrimination: When implementing Zero Trust, organisations should ensure that there is no discrimination or unequal treatment of users. The use of behavioural analysis algorithms, for example, can lead to unintended bias and stereotyping. It is important to regularly evaluate and correct the effectiveness and fairness of these algorithms to ensure that users are treated equally. 
3. Trust and user experience: Zero Trust can create a sense of distrust between users and the organisation. In the name itself - Zero Trust - users can already get the idea that they are not trusted by the organisation. What does this mean for the atmosphere in the workplace and employees' attachment to the organisation? Just the notion of following behaviour, will leave users less free, and possibly curtail work and creativity. What does that mean for an organisation's productivity and culture? Besides, constantly asking for authentication and authorisation is perceived by users as burdensome ("friction") and thus negatively affects the user experience.  Organisations should proactively communicate the reasons behind Zero Trust and how it contributes to a more secure environment. Openness and transparency contribute to employee understanding and trust in the organisation. It is crucial to strike a good balance between security and usability. 

To address the ethical implications of Zero Trust and find a balance between security and privacy, organisations and policymakers should consider measures, some examples are listed below: 

1. Privacy by Design: Include privacy considerations from the start in the design and implementation of a Zero Trust architecture. This means minimising data collections, splitting data storage, ensuring transparency and allowing user control over their own data;  
2. Security by Design: Also consider protection of confidential data processed under Zero Trust. The Zero Trust approach also applies to this. This means that organisations should think about data protection and how Zero Trust is securely set up right from the start. 
3. Ethics by design: Include ethical considerations in the design right from the start, for instance by making explicit the grounds on which trade-offs between security and non-discrimination are made. In the procurement or development of software algorithms (e.g. behavioural analysis), so-called bias tests can show whether they are in line with one's own ethical considerations.  
4. Training and communication: Inform users about the deployment of Zero Trust and the reasons behind it. By raising awareness and communicating openly about the benefits and risks, you are able to strengthen users' trust. Arguably, this also helps increase the overall security awareness of employees.  
5. Continuous monitoring and evaluation: Ensure that Zero Trust mechanisms are and remain effective and fair through continuous monitoring and evaluation. Regular audits and reviews can help identify and correct any privacy or discrimination issues. For instance, advanced AI-based algorithms will need to be continuously checked against historical data to identify phenomena such as data drift and avoid bias. The algorithm may have to be adjusted and a new usage cycle started. 

Zero Trust is a powerful tool for organisations in protecting against increasing cyber threats. However, implementation of Zero Trust also has ethical implications. Ensuring privacy, preventing discrimination and maintaining user trust are important aspects to keep in mind. It is crucial that organisations integrate ethical considerations into their Zero Trust implementations and strike the right balance between security and privacy. Embracing 'By design', including for ethics, carrying out regular monitoring and evaluation, and promoting training and communication, ensures that Zero Trust is implemented in an ethical manner, and enables you to protect the interests of both users and organisations. 

Interested in how we at Highberg make ethics part of IT? Read our other blogs or get in touch!