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Zero Trust Architecture: 5 Reasons You Need It

And there are several reasons businesses must consider integrating the Zero Trust architecture into their system, and here are five primary reasons:

Published

1 year ago

April 8, 2022

TwinzTech

Many decades back, network security wasn’t as complicated as today. Every device, user, or application already been authenticated within a network was automatically trusted.

But as networks became increasingly central to business operations and external connections were needed for partnerships, the network quickly became more complex. And by the 2000s, the influx of service providers made networks even more complicated by providing software-as-a-service (SaaS).

Zero Trust means “no trust.” And the security architecture has always required that a consistent verification process is adhered to keep away unwanted access and lateral movement throughout an environment.

Cyber Threats are Becoming Highly Sophisticated. Every Zero Trust component is developed to identify vulnerabilities and threats. And there are several reasons businesses must consider integrating the Zero Trust architecture into their system, and here are five primary reasons:

Table of Contents

1. Cyber Threats are Becoming Highly Sophisticated

The rate at which cyberattacks are becoming sophisticated is high, and no sector is exempted from an attack. TechJury says about 30,000 websites are hacked daily, with at least one company falling victim every 39 seconds!

That’s pretty scary!

It is estimated that, on average, 30,000 websites are hacked every day. A company falls victim to a cyberattack every 39 seconds, and more than 60% of organizations globally have experienced at least one form of cyberattack.

Some sectors are more susceptible than others. For instance, some sectors were severely hit with cyberattacks during the pandemic. And they include finance, healthcare, and retail verticals for stuff related to the pandemic. What about online retailers who enjoyed high demand for e-commerce and the transportation sector? They also receive their dosage of the alarming cybercrimes.

CYBER SECURITY Business technology Antivirus Alert Protection Security and Cyber Security Firewall Cybersecurity and information technology

2. You Can No Longer Trust Third-Party SaaS and PaaS Applications Blindly

Application developers today cannot fully trust what they “own.” Mainly because these applications are more likely to be provided either as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) or as Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), these applications are built through the consumption of available services.

For instance, for database, logging, machine learning, authentication, etc., software OEM developers can boast of owning the core and business logic used in developing the applications, but not the software components.

However, the Zero Trust model deploys all its security features for fully authorized applications and processes to decide on interactions with data and networks.

It usually takes a single breach to compromise and destabilize your network. Hence, implementing robust micro-perimeters around these services is highly recommended.

3. Perimeter-Based Security Fall Short of Modern Enterprise Demands

The pace of modern business technology and how enterprises operate make perimeter-based security less relevant as they can no longer define the scope of enforcing network security.

Zero Trust architecture has operated at a micro-level to validate and approve resource requests from point to point within the network. For instance, least privilege means that no one is trusted with broad uncontrolled access to the network.

They should, however, be repeatedly monitored and authenticated. In the case of a potential breach, micro-segmentation will curtail the level of damage that can occur.

cybersecurity is essential to the global supply chain

4. Cloud Data Centers Needs Shared Security Responsibility

The traditional data center framework requires that every business is solely responsible for providing security across all operational aspects, such as physical servers, user control, applications, and even protection for biological structures.

However, when you combine effort with your cloud provider, you’ll be able to share security responsibilities and also maintain a protected environment with reduced operational overhead.

Since you can no longer blindly assume trust in infrastructure, a Zero Trust model for a cloud environment assures a safer network with shared cybersecurity responsibility.

5. It Is Difficult To Determine the Complete Security Status of All Remote Environments

Remote work wasn’t famous before the COVID-19 pandemic, but its popularity has made security technologies focused solely on established geographic locations such as the headquarters of organizations irrelevant. Additionally, the possibility of unsecured Wi-Fi networks has massively increased security risks.

With the Zero Trust model, companies must not blindly trust the security efforts of their employees. They shouldn’t assume that their remote workers’ environments and home setup features are as secure as the office.

For instance, their IoT devices like the smart thermostat or baby monitor are operating a disorderly mix of security protocols, even if there are any in place. Hence, every process, device, and user must be duly authenticated to keep the network safe from time to time.

Also, as network security becomes increasingly complex, the Zero Trust network isolates security issues and secures your assets quickly.

Conclusion

If you have not started with a Zero Trust architecture, the best time to begin is now to secure the future of your business. Many organizations invest in the NordLayer Zero Trust framework to ensure their business.

Business

How To Create A Seamless Checkout Experience

Ultimately, a seamless and positive checkout experience can boost customer satisfaction and create a stronger association with your brand.

Published

1 week ago

May 30, 2023

TwinzTech

How To Create A Seamless Checkout Experience

The checkout process is an integral part of the customer journey, significantly influencing purchasing decisions. An ideally designed checkout page can streamline the buying experience, leading to an increase in conversion rates.

Moreover, a well-organized, intuitive checkout experience can motivate customers to complete their transactions, enhancing the abandoned cart recovery rate. Ultimately, a seamless and positive checkout experience can boost customer satisfaction and create a stronger association with your brand.

This connection often translates into repeat purchases and invaluable word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied customers. If these are your business goals, then read on for five excellent ways to create a seamless checkout experience.

Table of Contents

1. Provide More Payment Options

Diversifying payment options is critical to facilitating a smooth and flexible customer checkout process. By accommodating various payment methods, you cater to various customer preferences. Traditional credit and debit card payments, digital wallets, bank transfers, and even options like cash on delivery should be considered.

It’s important to understand that payment preferences can vary significantly depending on your target audience and their geographical location. For example, customers from different regions may prefer specific local payment methods. By offering these options, you demonstrate respect and understanding of your customer’s needs and preferences, which can significantly boost your conversion rates.

Lastly, remember that security is a paramount concern regarding online transactions. Ensure all your payment options are secured and trusted to prevent potential data breaches or ecommerce fraud. Transparency about security measures can build customer trust and encourage more transactions.

2. Ensure Your Checkout Page Is Mobile-Friendly

With the rapid rise in mobile device usage, ensuring that your checkout page is mobile-friendly is more important than ever. Users should be able to navigate your checkout page easily, fill in their details, and complete the purchase without experiencing any glitches or frustrations, regardless of their device.

A mobile-friendly checkout page is not just about compatibility but also about design. The design must be intuitive, with clear calls to action and minimal input fields. Moreover, the text and buttons should be sufficiently large to facilitate easy touch interactions.

Testing is vital in ensuring mobile friendliness. Regularly test your checkout process on different devices and browsers to spot any issues. Remember, a smooth mobile checkout experience can increase conversions and customer satisfaction.

3. Allow Guest Checkout

While it’s beneficial for businesses to have customers create accounts for future marketing and retargeting, it’s important to respect the customer’s choice. Mandatory account creation can deter customers, causing them to abandon their carts and reducing your conversion rates.

Offering a guest checkout option can enhance the user experience by speeding up the checkout process. It caters to customers in a hurry or those who don’t want to commit to an account. While you can still encourage account creation by highlighting its benefits, the choice should ultimately be left to the customer.

Provide More Payment Options - Seamless Checkout Experience

Remember, the aim is to reduce barriers to purchase. A simple and straightforward guest checkout process can significantly improve your conversion rates and customer satisfaction, even if it means potentially missing out on gathering some customer data.

4. Create A One-Page Checkout Page

A one-page checkout design is a strategy that can streamline your checkout process by minimizing the number of steps needed to complete a purchase. This approach reduces the likelihood of customers abandoning their carts due to a complicated or lengthy checkout process.

A one-page checkout page should include essential fields such as billing and shipping information, payment methods, and an order summary. This page should be designed with simplicity and user-friendliness in mind. Also, use auto-fill features where possible to speed up the process.

Bear in mind that this strategy doesn’t suit every business. For example, businesses with a large number of stock-keeping units or complex shipping rules might need more pages for a comprehensive checkout process. However, if a one-page checkout fits your business model, it can significantly improve the user experience and conversion rates.

5. Utilize “Buy Now” Buttons

‘Buy Now’ buttons can greatly enhance the user experience by offering a quick and straightforward way to make a purchase. These buttons allow customers to bypass the traditional shopping cart route, facilitating an immediate checkout process.

When implementing the ‘Buy Now’ buttons, ensure they are placed strategically. They should be easily visible, usually close to the product details. Additionally, their design should be compelling and consistent with your brand identity to attract customers’ attention.

However, while the ‘Buy Now’ buttons can accelerate checkout, they should be used thoughtfully. For some customers, particularly those intending to buy multiple items, the traditional cart process might still be preferable. Therefore, ensure you offer both options to cater to different shopping styles.

Also, be aware that the ‘Buy Now’ buttons require a robust system in the background to ensure a seamless and secure immediate transaction. Balancing convenience and security is the key to the effective utilization of the ‘Buy Now’ buttons.

Conclusion

Optimizing the checkout process is integral to boosting conversion rates and customer satisfaction. Diverse payment options, a mobile-friendly design, guest checkout options, and streamlined processes such as a one-page checkout or ‘Buy Now’ buttons all contribute to a user-friendly buying experience.

Remember that it’s crucial to balance customer convenience with robust security measures and to cater to varying customer preferences. When implemented effectively, these strategies can significantly improve your business’s performance and customer retention.