Cloud Security Alliance Updated CCZT Exam Questions and Answers by georgi

SDP features, like multi-factor authentication (MFA), mutual transport layer security (mTLS), and device fingerprinting, protect against phishing attacks by verifying the identity and authenticity of both the user and the device before granting access to a resource. Phishing attacks are attempts to trick users into revealing their credentials or other sensitive information by impersonating a legitimate entity or service1. SDP features can prevent phishing attacks by:

• MFA: MFA is a security mechanism that requires a user to provide more than one piece of evidence to prove their identity, such as a password, a one-time code, a biometric factor, or a physical token2. MFA can protect against phishing attacks by making it harder for attackers to access a resource even if they manage to obtain the user’s password or other credentials2.
• mTLS: mTLS is a security protocol that enables mutual authentication and encryption between two parties, such as a client and a server3. mTLS can protect against phishing attacks by ensuring that both the client and the server have valid and trusted certificates, and by preventing attackers from intercepting or modifying the communication between them3.
• Device fingerprinting: Device fingerprinting is a technique that identifies and verifies a device based on its unique characteristics, such as its operating system, browser, IP address, or hardware configuration4. Device fingerprinting can protect against phishing attacks by allowing only authorized devices to access a resource, and by detecting any anomalies or changes in the device’s attributes that may indicate a compromise4.

References =

• What is Phishing? | How to Identify & Prevent Phishing Attacks | Cloudflare
• What is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)? | Cloudflare
• What is Mutual TLS (mTLS)? | Cloudflare
• What is Device Fingerprinting? | Cloudflare

To ensure that only legitimate users can access Software as a Service (SaaS) or Platform as a Service (PaaS) in a Zero Trust framework, implementing robust authentication mechanisms is crucial. Enforcing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Single Sign-On (SSO) are effective strategies. MFA adds layers of security by requiring users to provide multiple pieces of evidence to verify their identity, making unauthorized access significantly more challenging. SSO simplifies the user experience by allowing users to access multiple services with one set of credentials while maintaining high security standards, particularly when combined with MFA. These measures align with the Zero Trust principle of "never trust, always verify," ensuring that access is granted only after thorough verification of the user's identity.

To ensure an acceptable user experience when implementing SDP, a security architect should collaborate with IT to model and plan the user experience, client software distribution, and device onboarding processes. This is because SDP requires users to install and use client software to access the protected resources, and the user experience may vary depending on the device type, operating system, network conditions, and security policies. By modeling and planning the user experience, the security architect and IT can ensure that the SDP implementation is user-friendly, consistent, and secure.

References = Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust (CCZT) - Cloud Security Alliance, Zero Trust Training (ZTT) - Module 7: Network Infrastructure and SDP

Data and asset classification should be based on the sensitivity of data, which is the degree to which the data requires protection from unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure. Data sensitivity is determined by the potential impact of data loss, theft, or corruption on the organization, its customers, and its partners. Data sensitivity can also be influenced by legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations.

References =

• Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust (CCZT) prepkit, page 10, section 2.1.1
• Identify and protect sensitive business data with Zero Trust, section 1
• Secure data with Zero Trust, section 1
• SP 800-207, Zero Trust Architecture, page 9, section 3.2.1