With the exponential change in the digital landscape, enterprises have started leveraging the decentralized approach with centralized infrastructure. Also, traditional security frameworks are becoming obsolete or less effective with the emerging cyber threats. In such a situation, legacy security frameworks stand inadequate, as they rely on a single point of control. That is where enterprises are moving towards a decentralized security infrastructure – with a promise to offer comprehensive security across multiple nodes.
We are in the era of cloud and edge computing along with IoT and other wireless sensor-based operations. The decentralized network infrastructure can become a go-to solution for such businesses. It addresses all the security challenges that traditional models fail to handle. This article is a complete walkthrough of decentralized security, the frameworks it uses, and best practices. It will also cover the benefits and challenges of decentralized security.
Understanding Decentralized Security
Decentralized security refers to a security model where the security configurations, controls, and enforcing measures remain scattered across multiple networks. Unlike centralized security infrastructure, where a single authority from a pivot point manages everything, distributed security manages the robust protection mechanism from multiple network points.
Various components associated with decentralized security are blockchain technology, multiple Peer-to-Peer (P2P) connectivity, AI-powered network monitoring, and Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA). List of top companies that use decentralized security solutions are Walmart, Microsoft, Bosch, IBM, Salesforce, Siemens, JPMorgan Chase, Deutsche Telekom, etc. We will discuss their use cases later in this article.
Centralized vs. Decentralized Security Infrastructure
Centralized | Decentralized |
When attackers target the central system, they compromise everything and take control. | When attackers capture the decentralized system, they can only compromise a node but cannot compromise everything. |
It uses firewalls and SIEMs. | It uses distributed nodes with blockchain and Zero Trust Network Access. |
Higher risk exposure due to a single point of failure | Lower risk exposure due to spread out and distributed network architecture |
Less scalable and resilient to threats | More Scalable and resilient to threats |
Centralized systems are vulnerable to DoS, DDoS, ransomware, supply-chain attacks, etc. | Decentralized systems are less prone to such attacks. |
Frameworks and Principles of Decentralized Security
All decentralized network security infrastructure offers a cybersecurity model. The command and controls remain spread across multiple nodes. It uses specific frameworks and principles to create a decentralized, secure network architecture. Let us explore them one by one.
1. Blockchain technology
Blockchain technology is one of the most trending and advanced technologies offering data integrity over databases. Using the blockchain, decentralized systems can deliver information across business networks transparently. All the data in a blockchain-based network are linked in an immutable chain.
2. Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)
ZTA is another security framework that a decentralized system uses. It operates on the principle of “trust no one and verify always.” It asks for strict identity verification and access controls for all devices and users. It does not bother about the location or user privileges and performs repeated authentication before granting access to resources. It leverages micro-segmentation for attackers to limit lateral movement.
3. P2P Threat Intelligence
Unlike centralized security, which relies on a central security solution like SIEM, decentralized network infrastructure offers security tools across all point-to-point nodes within the network. It helps to share cyber threat-related data in real-time, resulting in faster detection and response. If attackers attack one node, its neighbour nodes become alert with defensive measures.
4. Edge-centric and federated defence
Enforcing security measures and controls at the edge devices, like local servers, IoT systems, and sensors, helps enhance defence response and reduce latency to threat mitigation. With federated learning, AI models can train which nodes to secure. Edge firewalls offer distributed packet filtering measures to secure independent data sources.
5. Distributed identity management
It offers a paradigm shift in identity management for users within the decentralized network. It uses distributed ledgers to store and confirm identities securely and confidentially, improving security and user autonomy. It promotes data minimization and privacy.
Benefits of Decentralized Security Infrastructure
Decentralized security offers numerous benefits, making it an effective method to bolster enterprise network infrastructure security. Here are some advantages of setting up a decentralized security infrastructure for enterprise networks.
1. Eliminate Comprehensive Failure
Unlike centralized security, where compromising the central node or server can lead to an entire system failure, decentralized security has no single server or security solution. The whole infrastructure security is scattered across multiple nodes, making it harder for attackers to compromise the system.
2. Scalability and flexibility
While centralized security hits bottlenecks due to server limits, decentralized security can scale horizontally by merging more network nodes. Since distributed network security spreads across geographic boundaries, data stays within jurisdictional boundaries following compliance like GDPR and HIPAA.
3. Enhance data privacy
With a decentralized security model or network system, no user data, credentials, or sensitive information is stored in a single repository. It eliminates the risk of compromising data for breach from a single point. Decentralized security infrastructure uses decentralized databases, fetching data for execution from multiple authorities and databases. Data in motion (within the decentralized network) & at rest also use encryption for more security.
4. Eradicating advanced attack vectors
We know that it becomes challenging for centralized systems to defend against supply-chain attacks, malicious code injection, and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS). However, with a decentralized system, there is no central repository to poison or compromise. Also, decentralized security mechanisms provide real-time broadcast alerts for attack patterns and enable federated learning to identify zero-day malware behavior.
Challenges of Implementing Decentralized Security
- Architectural changes pose concerns for enterprises because setting up these networks requires skilled professionals, expertise, and configuration specialists.
- Since the command and control infrastructure remains distributed across different zones and geographical areas, upfront costs increase exponentially.
- If the network hardware and data transfer rates have latency, it can cause data synchronization issues, leading to data inconsistency across nodes.
- Large-scale deployments of such network infrastructure require a lot of time. The time also increases with the configuration of different devices (edge devices, IoT systems, and sensors).
- Threat monitoring can also become complicated if not handled with a proper plan and strategy. That is because there is no central log aggregation. It can cause delays in cyber forensics and threat response if not addressed with automation.
Implementing Decentralized Security Best Practices
Let us explore some of the best practices enterprises should adopt to implement decentralized security.
- Enterprises should strategically implement multiple security mechanisms depending on the clusters.
- Implementing end-to-end and military-grade encryption can ensure enterprises’ data confidentiality and integrity for network data in transit and at rest on individual nodes.
- Enterprises should regularly audit every node within a decentralized system. Frequent updates and patching vulnerabilities in such systems can help mitigate emerging threats.
- Since users of decentralized systems reside across different geographical areas, educating users and IT teams is also essential for quick response. Periodic training on security principles and cyber hygiene can help minimize threats.
Real-World Corporate Use Cases
Numerous top-notch companies and tech giants from different sectors have already started leveraging decentralized security infrastructure. Let us explore them one by one.
- Microsoft is using decentralized security through the Identity Overlay Network (ION). It uses blockchain technology with zero trust and a decentralized encryption technique to make the infrastructure steadfast and robust. It helps secure their dispersed enterprise logins.
- IBM uses hyper-ledger fabric by leveraging distributed private blockchain for enterprise networks to prevent supply-chain fraud prevention. It also extends its security by using IBM cloud satellites for edge networks.
- Bosch is another engineering and tech giant that uses decentralized network security called XDC (XinFin Digital Contract) for IoT devices. It helps the company prevent tampering with network-connected car systems and IoT sensors.
- JPMorgan Chase uses a private blockchain-based decentralized security system with Zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) transactions. It enables the company to deliver fraud-resistant interbank payments.
- Walmart also uses a decentralized system running on blockchain technology and DLT-based vendor vetting. It helps them prevent DDoS attacks and maintain a tamper-proof supplier audit.
- Deutsche Telekom uses decentralized smart home security for enterprise-grade IoT and edge connectivity. It also helps them protect their 5G infrastructure from DDoS attacks.
Conclusion
We hope this article has provided all the essential pointers on how decentralized security can strengthen network infrastructure and security aspects of an enterprise. By embracing decentralized security, businesses can full-proof their network infrastructure. Distributed architecture of security enforces multiple node spans across different areas. Such an architectural landscape offers greater resilience against cyber-attacks while enriching privacy and scalability. Therefore, enterprises opting for decentralized security should follow certain best practices leading to a state-of-the-art infrastructure. VE3 offers cutting-edge cybersecurity solution for network infrastructure. Partner with VE3 today to secure your digital future and enhance your operational efficiency. Contact us or visit us for more information.