What is Device Trust? Modern Security Approaches

What is device trust? It is one of the more trustworthy security approaches that allows users to verify a secure device before allowing them access to all of the device’s contents, be it company files, private websites, and much more. The process of trusting a device stretches on to evaluate various factors like security settings, the device’s identity, and to see whether the right user has the credentials required to access the device. 

The world we live in today is very much different and more fast-paced than what it used to be years ago, specifically in business and technology. The trends and requirements have changed to the point that protecting digital assets is a constant challenge. 

Just as security measures seem sufficient, new threats emerge. Nowadays, most businesses or corporate sectors require employees to bring their own devices. The same is the case for remote work; its complexity has heightened. 

So, how can organizations make sure that every device, whether a laptop, smartphone, or tablet that is connected to their systems or the remote internet, is both secure and compliant, without posing a hidden risk?

This guide highlights all aspects of device security and trust. 

What is Device Trust?

Device trust refers to the concept that any device must meet certain security standards before it’s allowed to access an organization’s confidential systems, applications, or data. In this case, “users” typically include their employees, third-party vendors, contractors, etc. The “devices” in this scenario typically mean all electronic devices holding valuable information. I will give you a clearer breakdown of what device trust is, but first, here is a short idea of it, summarized in two main points.

• The device needs to be known and not just handed to you by someone random. 
• The device you’re using needs to be in a secure and good condition. All system operations need to be updated and come with security features/encryption. 

Why is Device Trust Important?

Device trust is extremely important in all areas of security. It’s crucial to protect not just the device but all the content that is considered confidential and linked to an organization. For example, only an employee who belongs to the IT department should be allowed controlled access to systems related to their post. If an employee handles only the marketing part of the organization, they should not be allowed access to IT-related files and controls. Below, you will find a breakdown of why device trust security is important: 

• It helps enhance security and privacy for all confidential data, official assets, files, systems, and more. 
• A trusted device, upon assessment, aids in reducing risks of data breaches, loss of data, device hijacking, network compromise, and many other related threats. 
• It helps organizations or institutes meet effective requirements and access control. 
• It’s important to run a trusted device scan to control management from all endpoints. 
• Nowadays, there is a whole new wave of cyberthreats. A trusted device scan helps further prevent them. 

How Does Device Trust Work?

If you’re wondering, “How does device trust work?” the process is not as simple as just ticking a “yes” or “no” button. To trust devices that are both known and unknown to you, there are a few security requirements needed to verify the device that you’re about to use. However, all “device trust” verification processes vary according to the organization or setting you’re in. Other than that, the basic process includes: 

Step 1 – Device Trust Verification

The initial step involves determining which device is attempting to access the system. This is usually managed through a mobile device management (MDM) platform, which identifies and monitors devices using specific characteristics such as the MAC address, a digital certificate, or serial number. The Mobile Device Management solution keeps a detailed record of each device, including its security background. It needs to meet compliance requirements.

Step 2 – Verifying the Identity of The User

A huge part of the device trust process is the verification of the user trying to get access to the device and everything on it. Using an unknown device is not the only troublesome thing, especially when the device lands in the wrong person’s hands. This is why the verification of the person’s identity is important. For this, the process involves multi-factor authentication. The person is usually sent a text message or an email with a verification code, a question, a password, biometric information, a security token, etc. Once the user inputs the correct verification details, they’re allowed to enter the device. All these are steps closer to building a trusted device. 

Step 3 – Essential Security Compliance Validation

Now that the device and the user have both been identified, the next step involves checking whether the device is in line with the security policies of the organization. This compliance checkup is mainly to see if the device has adequate security measures that are required. A few of these security checks involve making sure that the device OS is up to date, has security vulnerabilities patched, requires updated security software like an Antivirus, etc. Other than that, the lock screen time is looked into, and whether stronger passwords are in place. This helps build the standards of what to expect from any company and how they handle the security of all files, accounts, devices, etc. 

Step 4 – Risk Evaluation

Leaning towards step 4, you should understand that even if a device surpasses the evaluation of compliance, there are always chances of more security risks. For this reason, risk assessments must be in place. These kinds of risks that require evaluation include a trusted network connection, the geolocation of the device, unusual behavioral patterns of the user upon access, and the time of usage, such as whether it is accessed during an off-day or a public holiday. This process is to ensure that there is no unusual or suspicious behavior. 

Step 5 – Deeper Inspection of Security Posture

Once the risk level has been determined, the device trust system performs a more thorough inspection of the device’s security condition. The evaluation of the device’s security posture can include a scan to check if any security patches or flaws were missed. Other than that, there is real-time analysis to check if there are any signs of malware and other intrusions and whether the devices have been tampered with. 

Lastly – Access Denied or Granted?

The last step is taken into final consideration based on all the test results and security assessments. This is to see whether the device and the user are trustworthy or not. If all security statements are positive, then the user receives immediate access to the device and every account that is permissible to enter. 

Device Trust and Password Manager Apps

Most companies use official apps to store passwords and other kinds of sensitive data. A password manager is one of them. It helps maintain clear logs of all accounts linked to a business or organization, just in case one user fails to remember or maintain them manually. Device trust plays a huge role in adding further security to your data saved on the best password manager app. 

Challenges of Device Trust

Even though the “trust this device” process is crucial for security and privacy reasons, it faces a few challenges. These include: 

• User behavior
• Organizations struggle to maintain a check on too many devices connected to one network. 
• Integrating older devices with the newer models. 
• Users or employees failing to grasp the correct protocol while using official devices. 
• Real-time verification is not always easy. 
• Employees usually work better with more relaxed security settings, but that can lead to security flaws. 

Frequently Asked Questions

To Conclude

And that’s a wrap! You now know what device trust is, how it works, and why it is important. It’s crucial for every organization to incorporate these methods to increase the overall security of the company and its well-being. Other than that, always be mindful of the pitfalls while paying attention to device security.