Google uses a zero trust access model called BeyondCorp. This model is designed to enhance security by removing the traditional network perimeter-based security approach and instead treating all access attempts as potentially untrusted, regardless of location or network.
In the past, many organizations relied on a perimeter-based security model where they assumed that anything within their network was trustworthy, while anything outside of it was not. However, with the increasing number of security breaches and the rise of remote work, this approach has become less effective.
Google recognized the limitations of the traditional perimeter-based model and developed BeyondCorp to address these challenges. BeyondCorp is designed to provide secure access to Google’s resources, including applications and data, regardless of the user’s location or the network they are connecting from.
Instead of relying on the network perimeter, BeyondCorp focuses on verifying the identity and device security posture of users and devices attempting to access resources. This is achieved through a combination of strong authentication, device health assessment, and continuous authorization.
One of the key principles of BeyondCorp is the notion of “trust nothing, verify everything.” This means that access requests are evaluated based on a set of policies and conditions before granting access, regardless of the user’s location or network. These policies can include factors such as device security posture, user identity, and the sensitivity of the resource being accessed.
To implement BeyondCorp, Google utilizes a combination of technologies and tools. For example, Google Cloud Identity provides centralized identity and access management capabilities, allowing administrators to define and enforce access policies based on user attributes.
In addition, Google Cloud offers a range of security features and services that support the BeyondCorp model. For example, Context-Aware Access allows administrators to define granular access policies based on user attributes and resource characteristics. This helps ensure that only authorized users with appropriate permissions can access specific resources.
Google also provides endpoint security solutions, such as endpoint verification, which helps ensure that devices attempting to access resources meet the security requirements defined in access policies.
BeyondCorp enables Google to adopt a zero trust approach to access control, enhancing security by treating all access attempts as potentially untrusted. By focusing on identity verification and device security posture, Google can provide secure access to its resources regardless of the user’s location or network.
It’s worth noting that while Google has implemented BeyondCorp for its own infrastructure and services, they also offer BeyondCorp Enterprise as a commercial solution for other organizations to adopt. BeyondCorp Enterprise brings the same zero trust access model to customers’ own environments, allowing them to enforce access policies and enhance security in a similar manner.
Google uses the zero trust access model known as BeyondCorp to enhance security by treating all access attempts as potentially untrusted. By focusing on identity verification and device security posture, Google can provide secure access to its resources regardless of the user’s location or network. BeyondCorp Enterprise is Google Cloud’s commercial implementation of this model, offering customers the ability to enforce access policies and enhance security in their own environments.