In a recent panel discussion, the implementation and challenges of zero trust, SASE, and AI in organizations were discussed. Businesses are increasingly demanding AI not only for cybersecurity but also to understand customer needs and predict future trends. AI is crucial for analyzing and predicting threats from collected logs, improving cybersecurity measures.

Implementing zero trust is particularly complex in a multicloud environment, where centralized monitoring and access control are essential for maintaining security and compliance. The operational technology (OT) sector faces unique challenges, such as legacy systems and the need for secure remote access, which create significant vulnerabilities. Zero trust principles are critical for securing these systems, given the potential for severe consequences, including loss of life, if a breach occurs.

Practical aspects of implementing SASE were also discussed, emphasizing the need for thorough preparation and the creation of detailed use cases to ensure successful deployment. Advanced technologies and meticulous planning are vital in enhancing security across different sectors.

Panelists:

• Deval Mazmudar, TJSB Bank [Moderator]
• Amit Joshi, Adani Enterprises
• Jnana Ranjan Dash, HPCL-Mittal Energy
• Lalit Trivedi, ITI Asset Management
• Dr Pawan K Sharma, Tata Motors
• Ambarish Kumar Singh, Godrej & Boyce
• Rajveer Singh, Saxo Bank
• Shanthi Rajesh, BluSapphire

Executive Summary : 

AI in Cybersecurity

Adoption of AI:

• Organizations are increasingly adopting AI to meet business and cybersecurity demands.
• AI helps understand customer needs, peer organizations, and user demands.

Implementation Examples:

• In cybersecurity, AI is used to analyze and predict user behavior and incidents.
• AI helps interpret logs from various endpoints to identify threats and suggest solutions.

Zero Trust Implementation

Understanding Zero Trust:

• Zero Trust requires a clear understanding of the necessity for such a framework.
• It's crucial to assess the specific requirements and create comprehensive use cases.

Real-world Application:

• Organizations with multiple cloud environments (GCP, AWS) need centralized control and monitoring.
• Zero Trust facilitates monitoring, audit trails, and access control, enhancing security posture.

Zero Trust in Banking

Detailed Analysis:

• AI aids in micro-segmentation and provides detailed analysis of user, system, and application behaviors.
• Correlates data to identify security postures and potential threats more effectively.

Specific Use Cases:

• AI's role in providing personalized recommendations in shopping apps.
• The potential future applications in personalized medicine based on individual body requirements.

Operational Technology (OT) Security

Challenges in OT:

• OT systems, often legacy systems, present unique security challenges.
• Secure remote access and IT-OT convergence are critical issues.

Zero Trust for OT:

• Implementing Zero Trust in OT environments involves ensuring secure remote connections and strict monitoring.
• Governance and manual processes are necessary to manage the security of legacy systems effectively.

Best Practices for SASE Implementation

Steps to Implement SASE:

• Identify and document comprehensive use cases (e.g., 103 use cases identified by Tata Motors).
• Conduct thorough POCs (Proof of Concepts) to evaluate solutions.
• Roll out implementations in phases, focusing on critical areas first.

Integrating Existing Technologies with SASE

• Challenges of Legacy Systems: Replacing entire legacy or existing technologies is difficult.
• Platform Integration: The platform allows integrating existing technologies like SD-WAN, cloud-based firewalls, CASB, and ZTNA to achieve the SASE framework's larger objective.
• Cloud and Hybrid Solutions: Transition is seamless for cloud-based and hybrid organizations, but challenging for on-prem solutions.
• Implementation Suggestion: Implement SASE only for cloud-based organizations at the moment.

Conclusion

Adopting Zero Trust, SASE, and AI can significantly enhance the security framework of an organization. The experiences shared by industry experts highlight the importance of understanding specific requirements, thorough planning, and phased implementation. As cybersecurity threats evolve, integrating advanced technologies and robust frameworks will be crucial in safeguarding data and systems.