Carol: Hi everyone, Carol here with MIS Solutions. You’ve probably noticed that cyber threats are getting smarter and scarier thanks to artificial intelligence. Attackers are now using AI to create convincing phishing emails, deepfakes, and even automated exploits that can slip past traditional defenses.
In fact, a recent study found that only 12% of organizations feel fully prepared to handle AI-enhanced attacks, and just one-third of cybersecurity professionals say they’re confident their company could fend them off.
That’s where Zero Trust comes in. It’s not a product or a single piece of software. Zero Trust is a modern security mindset built around the idea of “never trust, always verify.”
Today I’m joined by Emory Lindsey, one of our in-house cybersecurity experts, to help unpack what Zero Trust really means for small and mid-sized businesses, why it matters, and how you can start putting it into practice without overwhelming your team or your budget.
Welcome, Emory.
Emory: Thanks, Carol.
Carol: All right, let’s start out with this: in plain English, what is Zero Trust?
Emory: The best way to explain it is this—we’re all used to the traditional “castle and moat” approach, where any activity or connection inside the network is automatically trusted. That approach no longer works as attacks have become more advanced.
Zero Trust flips the idea of “trust but verify” into “never trust, always verify.” Every user, every device, and every connection must prove it’s legitimate.
It’s not about being paranoid. It’s about continuous verification to keep data safe no matter where employees work, whether that’s in the office or remotely, and no matter what device they’re using. Users and devices must constantly prove they’re trusted in order to access company resources.
Carol: What are the core principles of Zero Trust?
Emory: First, verify explicitly. Authenticate and authorize every request using all available data—identity, device health, location, and more.
Second, least privilege. Give users only the access they need to do their job—nothing more.
Carol: So your marketing people don’t need access to financial systems.
Emory: Right. And Joan in accounting shouldn’t have access to HR or payroll.
Third, assume breach. Design systems as if an attacker is already inside. This mindset helps you structure your security properly. One part of this is network segmentation, which limits what an attacker can reach. If someone gets into your payroll system, they shouldn’t be able to reach your domain controller or other sensitive servers.
Lastly, use technologies that support Zero Trust: MFA, device compliance checks, patching, role-based access controls, and network segmentation.
Carol: What are some of the core pillars of Zero Trust?
Emory: There are several:
Identity: Verify users, services, applications, and devices—both human and non-human—before granting access.
Devices: Ensure all devices accessing the network are secure and compliant.
Networks: Use network segmentation to limit the blast radius of a breach.
Applications and Workloads: Secure your applications and internal workflows from exploitation through patching and policy-driven controls.
Data: Protect the data itself. Classify it by sensitivity, enforce access controls, and use encryption for data in transit, in use, and at rest.
Carol: How does Zero Trust benefit business operations and ROI?
Emory: It reduces the likelihood and potential damage of a breach by limiting an attacker’s ability to move through your network. It also improves compliance and makes audits easier because roles and access are clearly defined.
It boosts customer trust by showing that you take data protection seriously. And finally, it helps prevent downtime and lost productivity caused by ransomware or unauthorized access.
Carol: What are some common misconceptions about Zero Trust?
Emory: One myth is that Zero Trust is only for big enterprises. In reality, it’s scalable, and SMBs often need it the most.
Another myth is that it’s too complicated or expensive, but you can start small. Enforcing MFA is a great first step. Conducting an access audit is another.
A third myth is that it slows people down. The reality is that when implemented correctly with the right tools, Zero Trust can actually streamline access and improve visibility.
Carol: Emory, you mentioned that it’s not just for enterprise-level corporations, but also for small and mid-size businesses. Why is it so important for SMBs?
Emory: Small and mid-size businesses are often targets for cybercriminals because they have fewer layers of defense. Whether due to budgeting, staffing, or management limitations, the controls are usually less mature.
Carol: And I think a lot of small businesses assume they’re too small—that hackers aren’t interested in them.
Emory: Correct. They think they’re a less attractive target, but that’s not true. They still handle sensitive customer data.
Another reason is the shift to remote work and cloud apps. The traditional network perimeter—the castle-and-moat model—is gone. Zero Trust helps secure those connections.
Compliance pressures—HIPAA, CMMC, SOC 2—are also making Zero Trust not just smart but necessary. A breach can cripple an SMB, so Zero Trust helps minimize risk by limiting access and containing threats early.
Carol: So what does implementing Zero Trust look like in practice?
Emory: A good first step is to inventory who and what is accessing your systems—users, devices, connections, applications. Understand what “normal” looks like in your environment.
Next, apply layered controls: MFA, endpoint security, network segmentation, and continuous monitoring.
Review and tighten user permissions. Remove unused accounts or unnecessary access. Formally define roles and what access each role should have.
Define authentication policies—for example, “You can only log into the payroll system from the office during business hours.”
Educate employees. Humans are part of the Zero Trust framework, not just the technology. Provide MFA training and ensure users know what’s expected of them.
Finally, work with a trusted partner to perform a security assessment and build a phased Zero Trust adoption plan.
Remember: Zero Trust is a journey, not a one-time setup. You’ll make ongoing adjustments as threats evolve and employees change roles.
Carol: Emory, thank you so much for that insight. If there’s one takeaway from today’s conversation, it’s that Zero Trust isn’t just for big corporations. It’s a practical, scalable approach that every business can benefit from—especially as AI-driven threats continue to evolve.
If you’re not sure where to start, MIS Solutions can help. We’ll assess your current security posture and build a roadmap to help you move toward a Zero Trust model—one that protects your people, your data, and your reputation.
Thank you so much for watching, and stay tuned for more educational conversations like this one.
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