CCZT Sample Questions Answers

SOAR is a collection of software programs developed to bolster an organization’s cybersecurity posture. SOAR tools can automate the response to security events and incidents by executing predefined workflows or playbooks, which can include tasks such as alert triage, threat detection, containment, mitigation, and remediation. SOAR tools can also orchestrate the integration of various security tools and data sources, and provide centralized dashboards and reporting for security operations.

References =

• Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust (CCZT) prepkit, page 23, section 3.2.2
• Security Orchestration, Automation and Response (SOAR) - Gartner
• Security Automation: Tools, Process and Best Practices - Cynet, section “What are the different types of security automation tools?”
• Introduction to automation in Microsoft Sentinel

Policy is the element of ZT that focuses on the governance rules that define the “who, what, when, how, and why” aspects of accessing target resources. Policy is the core component of a ZTA that determines the access decisions and controls for each request based on various attributes and factors, such as user identity, device posture, network location, resource sensitivity, and environmental context. Policy is also the element that enables the ZT principles of “never trust, always verify” and “scrutinize explicitly” by enforcing granular, dynamic, and data-driven rules for each access request.

References =

• Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust (CCZT) prepkit, page 14, section 2.2.2
• What Is Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)? - F5, section “Policy Engine”
• Zero Trust Architecture Project - NIST Computer Security Resource Center, slide 9
• [Zero Trust Frameworks Architecture Guide - Cisco], page 4, section “Policy Decision Point”

The ZT tenet of assume breach is based on the notion that malicious actors reside inside and outside the network, and that any user, device, or service can be compromised at any time. Therefore, ZT requires continuous verification and validation of all entities and transactions, and does not rely on implicit trust or perimeter-based defenses

In the context of a Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP) that incorporates Single Packet Authorization (SPA), after successful authentication and authorization, the client typically generates an SPA packet and sends it to the accepting host. This process involves the client creating a specially crafted packet that is designed to be recognized by the accepting host's SDP gateway. Upon receiving and validating the SPA packet, the gateway allows the client to establish a connection to the designated services or resources. This mechanism ensures that only authorized clients can initiate connections, enhancing security by preventing unauthorized access.

ABAC is an access control method that uses attributes of the requester, the resource, the environment, and the action to evaluate and enforce policies. ABAC allows for fine-grained and dynamic access control based on the context of the request, rather than predefined roles or privileges. ABAC is suitable for SaaS and PaaS, where the features within a service may vary depending on the customer’s needs, preferences, and subscription level. ABAC can help implement ZT by enforcing the principle of least privilege and verifying every request based on multiple factors.

References =

• Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) Definition
• General Access Control Guidance for Cloud Systems
• A Guide to Secure SaaS Access Control Within an Organization

Business continuity and disaster recovery are the activities of the ZT implementation preparation phase that ensure the resiliency of the organization’s operations in the event of disruption. Business continuity refers to the process of maintaining or restoring the essential functions of the organization during and after a crisis, such as a natural disaster, a cyberattack, or a pandemic. Disaster recovery refers to the process of recovering the IT systems, data, and infrastructure that support the business continuity. ZT implementation requires planning and testing the business continuity and disaster recovery strategies and procedures, as well as aligning them with the ZT policies and controls.

References =

• Zero Trust Planning - Cloud Security Alliance, section “Monitor & Measure”
• Zero Trust architecture: a paradigm shift in cybersecurity - PwC, section “Continuous monitoring and improvement”
• Zero Trust Implementation, section “Outline Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) implementation steps”

Single Packet Authorization (SPA) is a method used in Zero Trust networks to securely request access to a service. A key concept of SPA is that the SPA packet must be self-contained, carrying all necessary information for the authorization decision within a single, encrypted packet. This ensures that the packet alone can provide enough context for the receiving server to authenticate the request and make an authorization decision, without needing additional information exchanges. This self-contained nature of SPA packets aligns with the principle of minimizing the movement and exposure of sensitive credentials, thus enhancing the security of the authentication process​​.

Multifactor authentication is a method of validating the identity of an entity by requiring two or more factors, such as something the entity knows (e.g., password, PIN), something the entity has (e.g., token, smart card), or something the entity is (e.g., biometric, behavioral). Multifactor authentication enhances the security of Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) by reducing the risk of identity compromise and unauthorized access.

References = Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust (CCZT) - Cloud Security Alliance, Zero Trust Training (ZTT) - Module 4: Identity and Access Management

ZT project implementation requires prioritization as part of the overall ZT project planning activities. One area to consider is prioritization based on risks, which means that the organization should identify and assess the potential threats, vulnerabilities, and impacts that could affect its assets, operations, and reputation, and prioritize the ZT initiatives that address the most critical and urgent risks. Prioritization based on risks helps to align the ZT project with the business objectives and needs, and optimize the use of resources and time.

References =

• Zero Trust Planning - Cloud Security Alliance, section “Scope, Priority, & Business Case”
• The Zero Trust Journey: 4 Phases of Implementation - SEI Blog, section “Second Phase: Assess”
• Planning for a Zero Trust Architecture: A Planning Guide for Federal …, section “Gap Analysis”

ZTA uses micro-segmentation to divide the network into smaller, isolated segments that can prevent unauthorized access and contain lateral movement. ZTA also uses encryption to protect data in transit and at rest from eavesdropping and tampering.

In a continual improvement model, policy administrators are the ones who maintain the ZT policies. Policy administrators are ZTA policy entities that are responsible for crafting and maintaining the policies that govern the access to resources in a ZT environment1. Policy administrators define the rules and conditions that specify who, what, when, where, and how an entity can access a resource, based on the principle of least privilege2. Policy administrators also update and review the policies periodically to ensure they are aligned with the changing business and security requirements3.

References =

• Zero Trust Architecture | NIST
• Zero Trust Architecture: Policy Engine and Policy Administrator
• Zero Trust Architecture: Policy Administration

Optimal compliance posture in a Zero Trust environment is primarily achieved through rigorous authentication and authorization of all networked assets. Zero Trust operates on the principle of "never trust, always verify," which necessitates robust authentication mechanisms to verify the identity of users and devices. Following authentication, authorization ensures that each authenticated entity has explicit permission to access only the resources necessary for its function, aligning with the principle of least privilege. These practices ensure a secure and compliant posture by minimizing the attack surface and reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

The first step that organizations should take to strengthen access requirements and protect their resources from unauthorized access by potential cyber threats is to understand and identify the data and assets that need to be protected. This step involves conducting a data and asset inventory and classification, which helps to determine the value, sensitivity, ownership, and location of the data and assets. By understanding and identifying the data and assets that need to be protected, organizations can define the appropriate access policies and controls based on the Zero Trust principles of never trust, always verify, and assume breach.

References = Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust (CCZT) - Cloud Security Alliance, Zero Trust Training (ZTT) - Module 2: Data and Asset Classification

A key architectural consideration that needs to be taken into account while deploying SDP is how SDP deployment fits into existing network topologies and technologies. This is because SDP deployment may require changes or adaptations to the existing network infrastructure, such as routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, etc. SDP deployment may also affect the network performance, availability, scalability, and resilience. Therefore, it is important to assess the impact and compatibility of SDP deployment with the existing network topologies and technologies, and to plan and design the SDP deployment accordingly.

References = Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust (CCZT) - Cloud Security Alliance, Zero Trust Training (ZTT) - Module 7: Network Infrastructure and SDP

To ensure a successful ZT effort, it is important to engage stakeholders across the organization and at all levels, including functional areas. This helps to align the ZT vision and goals with the business priorities and needs, gain buy-in and support from the leadership and the users, and foster a culture of collaboration and trust. Engaging stakeholders also enables the identification and mapping of the critical assets, workflows, and dependencies, as well as the communication and feedback mechanisms for the ZT transformation.

References =

• Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust (CCZT) prepkit, page 7, section 1.3
• Zero Trust Planning - Cloud Security Alliance, section “Scope, Priority, & Business Case”
• The ‘Zero Trust’ Model in Cybersecurity: Towards understanding and …, section “3.1 Ensuring buy-in across the organization with tangible impact”