
### Current threat of DDoS attacks {#current-threat-ddos-attacks}

Currently, DDoS attacks threaten to take down company network resources (like host machines), and crush the brand image of your company. In today’s fast-paced internet-driven world, server or web application downtimes lead to a tremendous loss of revenue even if they’re for a short period. Even if your developers do manage to get them up and running again, the damage is done. DDoS protection strategies being implemented are not effective enough to handle large-scale attacks. A DDoS attack can be detected when there are sudden spikes in web traffic, which increases the site load time. If from a set of IPs, a lot of connection requests came in a very short time, hints at a potential DDoS attack.

So what is the best way to prevent a DDoS attack?

### The best way to prevent a DDoS attack {#best-way-prevent-ddos-attack}

DDoS (or Distributed Denial of Service) is a business-threatening attack, but there are DDoS prevention methods to mitigate these attacks and build resilience towards them.

The best way to prevent a DDoS attack is by setting up a [Reverse Proxy Server](https://www.miniorange.com/reverse-proxy/). It provides advanced Zero Trust architecture and Security mechanisms to prevent your servers from ever suffering a DDoS attack. It comes with a feature known as Rate Limiting, where you can customize the maximum number of requests over a given time span. You can configure a Rate Limiting DDoS prevention system, according to your business traffic and security rules, or you can take our expert advice as well.

When Rate Limiting is enabled, no traffic will be allowed to reach your proxied site after the set time span. This way any unwanted traffic (or bot traffic) attempting to perform a DDoS attack will be successfully mitigated and complete security will be provided for your websites and applications. If you have an SD-WAN business and are looking to prevent a DDoS attack, SQL injections, or Cross-site Scripting, Rate Limiting guarantees complete end-to-end security for your applications. You can also use a firewall to prevent DDoS attacks with a Reverse Proxy.

![Rate limiting](/blog/assets/2023/rate-limiting.webp)

### Benefits of a Reverse Proxy to prevent DDoS attacks {#benefits-reverse-proxy-ddos-attacks}

Here are the top benefits of using a Reverse Proxy server to prevent any form of DDoS attack.

- A Reverse Proxy provides additional security integrations like IP Restriction, Location Restriction, Device Restriction, and even Time Restriction.
- You can set Traffic Monitoring to check website traffic for each incoming request.
- You can configure user access levels and set Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).
- No need to install any 3rd party software.
- Set custom rules for flexible user flow with top-notch security simultaneously.
- Easy integration with any application that needs to be proxied to provide DDoS protection.

### How does a Reverse Proxy server prevent DDoS attacks? {#how-reverse-proxy-prevent-ddos}

Suppose we have a user named Saul. Saul has enabled Rate Limiting on a Reverse Proxy server to protect all his web applications from DDoS attacks. Here’s how it works in securing his applications.

1. Saul has to enter 2 fields, the number of requests the applications should receive and the time span for the requests.
2. Suppose he enters 1000 requests and the timeout duration is 5 minutes.
3. This means that in total his application can only receive 1000 requests over a period of 5 minutes.
4. If under 5 minutes, the number of requests crosses over 1000 (possible DDoS attack), those requests will be redirected to an error 403 page to show forbidden access.
5. This way, Saul has successfully protected his applications from a DDoS attack and secured his application servers from crashing.

### Conclusion {#conclusion-ddos-prevention}

DDoS attacks across industries are increasing and advancing rapidly. To protect your company from such threats and more, you need to get a Reverse Proxy Server set up, configure a firewall, block the traffic, set Rate Limiting and monitor all requests along with Zero trust Security.

So if you’re looking to get the best DDoS prevention method(system) for your applications, miniOrange Reverse Proxy is the go-to solution with its world-class support at the most affordable and competitive price. We also grant you a feature of the firewall to prevent DDoS attacks within the Reverse Proxy. We provide solutions and prices for all types of companies (B2B or B2C) and across all industry domains with the best DoS and DDoS prevention systems in the market. You can start by registering now from here: [Sign Up Now](https://proxy.miniorange.com/sign-up).

### Additional Resources {#additional-resources}
- [Keycloak Auth Proxy.](https://blog.miniorange.com/reverse-proxy-access-control-for-keycloak-authenticated-users/)
- [G Suite IP Restriction](https://blog.miniorange.com/what-is-gsuite-ip-restriction/)
- [Healthcare CRM SSO.](https://blog.miniorange.com/wordpress-single-sign-on-sso-for-healthcare-crm/)
- [Bot Traffic Attack Mitigation.](https://blog.miniorange.com/secure-cloud-applications-from-bot-traffic/)










DDoS attacks or Distributed Denial of Service attacks are the most common hacking methods used to slow server speeds by flooding them with a surge of requests in a short period. In the worst case scenarios, the servers may crash and the entire system along with the mission-critical applications all shut down causing huge losses to businesses and leading to a decline in customer trust.

What is a DDoS Attack and how can you protect DDoS Attack?


Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) is a proactive security strategy that focuses on restricting access to sensitive data by removing permanent access rights. This approach ensures that access privileges are granted on a Just-in-Time basis, significantly reducing the risk of data breaches and compliance issues. 

&nbsp;

In this blog, we will dive into the concept of zero-standing privileges,

- Examine how standing privileges arise
- Discuss the implementation of Just-in-Time (JIT) access, and 
- Know more about the ZSP model.

&nbsp;

We will also highlight the potential risks associated with standing privileges, outline the advantages of adopting a zero standing privilege philosophy, and overview of the best practices for integrating ZSP into your security framework. 

## What is Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP)? {#What is Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP)?}

The term Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) was coined by [Gartner](https://www.gartner.com/en) that define the ideal state for managing privileged access in an organization to reduce the risks of credential theft, misuse of privileges, security breaches, and data loss.

&nbsp;

Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) is a security concept where no persistent or always-on privileged access rights are granted to any identities or accounts, be it a human or a machine. This approach aims to eliminate standing privileges, operating under the principle that privileges should only be granted on a [Just-in-Time (JIT)](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/just-in-time-privileged-access) basis. 

&nbsp;

ZSP represents the ideal outcome in a [Privileged Access Management (PAM)](https://www.miniorange.in/products/privileged-access-management-pam) model, where continuous authentication and the application of the least privilege are essential. The framework aligns closely with [Zero Trust](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/zero-trust-security-model/) strategies, which advocate for the removal of default, and uninterrupted access privileges and emphasize that no access should be given based on assumed trust.

&nbsp;

Implementing ZSP means that administrative or authorized access is never pre-assigned but is automatically allocated for specific tasks and only for the necessary duration. This method significantly reduces the cyberattack surface by limiting the opportunities for privilege abuse. By ensuring that privileges are securely tailored and short-lived, ZSP helps prevent the collection of access rights that could lead to data breaches, unauthorized data access, and other security violations. This approach enhances security protocols and supports compliance by implementing strict access control standards.


## What is a Just-in-Time Access Model? {#what-is-a-just-in-time-access-model}

The [Just-in-Time (JIT)](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/just-in-time-privileged-access) Access Model is a strategic approach to privilege management that drastically reduces the active window during which privileges are available. Unlike traditional models that grant standing privileges indefinitely, JIT access limits privilege activation to the precise moments they are needed. This targeted allocation minimizes the attack window, significantly enhancing the organization's security structure. By controlling the duration of access, JIT effectively closes the gaps that could potentially be exploited by malicious user activities.

![just in time (jit) access model](/blog/assets/2024/what-is-just-in-time-access.webp)

Implementing a JIT model transforms how administrative privileges are handled. For example, in a standard environment, an administrator might have continuous access throughout the week, 24*7, 7 days a week,  totaling 168 hours. 

&nbsp;

However, with JIT, this access could be restricted to as little as a few hours, or even minutes per week, based on specific tasks and operational requirements. This reduction ensures that access rights are provided dynamically and only as needed. 

## Why are Zero Standing Privileges Important? {#Why are Zero Standing Privileges Important?}

Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) are increasingly recognized as an essential aspect of modern cybersecurity frameworks, particularly in environments where access rights need to be revised frequently. By adopting ZSP, organizations implement [granular access control](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/granular-access-control), policy-based security controls that provide users with short-term access on a needed basis. 

&nbsp;

This approach not only ensures that access rights are promptly revoked after the completion of a task but also significantly reduces the administrative burden on IT teams who would otherwise spend considerable time on [provisioning and de-provisioning](https://www.miniorange.com/products/user-provisioning) access. Moreover, the limited access granted under ZSP can enhance an organization's eligibility for cyber insurance, potentially lowering the costs associated with recovering from a security breach.

&nbsp;

Another critical advantage of ZSP is its capacity to limit excessive administrative privileges, which are commonly overextended in many IT environments. Administrative users often retain high levels of access, which can pose significant security risks if exploited. By limiting administrative access to only what is necessary for specific tasks and durations, ZSP minimizes the risk of unauthorized activities and potential internal and external threats. Additionally, this model reduces the need for an organization to manage a large volume of passwords, secrets, and keys, thereby simplifying the security infrastructure and further securing the IT environment against breaches and unauthorized access.


### The risks of standing privileges

Let us now have a look at a few of the risks associated with standing privileges 

![Risks of standing privileges according to Gartner](/blog/assets/2024/risks-of-standing-privileges.webp)

1. **Excessive Access Risk**: Standing privileges allow for continuous, unmonitored access to IT resources, making them vulnerable if credentials are compromised, granting attackers unrestricted entry into the system.
2. **Security Issues with Permanent Access**: The necessity to constantly monitor who has access to what, especially in growing IT environments with remote work, demands significant ongoing management and can lead to security oversights.
3. **Increased Risk of Lateral Movement**: Withstanding privileges, attackers can use compromised credentials to move laterally within the network, accessing sensitive areas and escalating privileges, thus amplifying the potential damage from a breach.
4. **Resource Drain in Access Management**: Continuous provisioning and de-provisioning of access for new or departing employees can overextend an organization's resources, increasing the chance of errors that lead to breaches.
5. **Inadequacy of Traditional PAM Solutions**: Traditional [Privileged Access Management solutions](https://www.miniorange.com/pam/) often fail to adequately prevent breaches from compromised credentials, underscoring the need for a Zero Standing Privileges approach to limit access to resources strictly as needed.

## What is Zero Trust vs least privilege? {#what-is-zero-trust-vs-least-privilege}

Zero Trust and the principle of least privilege are two fundamental concepts in cybersecurity that focus on minimizing access risks, but they differ in their approach and emphasis.

&nbsp;

[Zero Trust](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/zero-trust-security-model/) operates on the principle of "never trust, always verify." This means it doesn't automatically trust anything inside or outside its network. Instead, Zero Trust requires verification for every access request regardless of where the request originates or what resource it accesses. It involves continuous authentication and authorization checks to ensure security is maintained throughout a session, not just at the entry point.

![What is the Principle of least privilege? (PoLP)](/blog/assets/2024/principle-of-least-privilege-polp.webp)


[Least Privilege](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/principle-of-least-privilege-polp), on the other hand, is about limiting user access rights to only what is strictly necessary to perform their job functions. It focuses on minimizing the potential damage that could occur if an account is compromised. By providing the minimum level of access required, it reduces the risk and impact of a security breach.

&nbsp;

While Zero Trust encompasses a broader, more holistic approach to network security—constantly questioning the security status of assets and user access—least privilege is more specifically concerned with ensuring users don’t have more access than they need. Both approaches aim to enhance security by controlling access based on user identity and context, but they apply their principles in slightly different ways to protect digital environments.

### Difference between ZSP and PoLP

| Aspect                        | Zero Trust Security (ZTS)                | Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP)           |
|-------------------------------|------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|
| **Core Principle**            | Never trust, always verify.              | Grant the minimum necessary access.           |
| **Verification**              | Continuous authentication and checks.    | Initial setup of minimal access, adjusted as needed. |
| **Scope**                     | Broad: network, devices, users, data.    | Specific: user and application access.        |
| **Focus**                     | Trust validation at every access.        | Limiting access to minimize risk.             |
| **User Access**               | Dynamic based on risk assessment.        | Static setup, modified as needed.             |
| **Implementation**            | MFA, micro-segmentation, monitoring.     | Role management, access reviews, audits.      |
| **Examples**                  | Multi-checkpoint user verification, secure remote access. | Assigning read-only access to sensitive data.  |



### How does Zero Standing Privileges work?

Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) is a security approach designed to minimize the risk of excessive or unnecessary access rights within an organization's IT environment to their [Privileged Accounts](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-are-privileged-accounts/). 

Here’s how it works step-by-step:

1. **Authentication and Request** : The process begins with a user authenticating themselves in the system. After authentication, the user requests specific access rights or entitlements. These requests are aligned with the principle of least privilege, meaning the user asks only for the access necessary to perform a particular task.
2. **Time-bound Access** : The request includes not only the specific entitlements needed but also the duration for which they are required. This duration should be as short as feasible to minimize risk, as longer access periods can potentially expose the system to greater security threats.
3. **Processing the Request** : After the request is made, it needs to be processed. In simpler or smaller-scale implementations, this might involve a manual approval flow where an assigned approver manually reviews and approves the request. However, for efficiency and to reduce the chance of human error, automating this approval process is recommended where feasible.
4. **Provisioning Access** : Once the request is approved, the system automatically provisions the requested entitlements to the user's federated identity. This means the access rights are temporarily granted to the user for the duration specified.
5. **Performing the Task** : With the entitlements provisioned, the user can then proceed to carry out the necessary tasks or work. The system ensures that access is configured correctly for the duration of the session.
6. **Termination of Access** : After the work is completed, the user either actively ends the session or lets the access rights expire as per the set time limit. The ZSP system then automatically enforces the removal of all the entitlements or roles that were granted temporarily.

This approach effectively reduces the risk of permanent, excessive, or unused privileges within the system, aligning with broader security strategies like Zero Trust by continuously adapting access controls based on ongoing assessments of need and risk.

The user is returned to the default state of zero permissions.

## Explore miniOrange PAM Solution {#explore-miniorange-pam-solution}

miniOrange PAM solution revolutionizes traditional Privileged Access Management by offering seamless and secure control over your organization's critical resources. With miniOrange PAM, you empower your team to grant access precisely when it's needed, enhancing security without compromising on productivity. Our solution utilizes the principles of zero standing privileges and just-in-time access, which minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and significantly reduces the threat of data breaches.

&nbsp;

Start a free 30-day free trial of miniOrange PAM today and experience firsthand how straightforward and effective implementing zero standing privileges and just-in-time access can be.


Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) minimize risk by eliminating persistent privileged access in IT environments.

What Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP)? Explained


## What is Zero Trust Security & How does it work ?

**Zero Trust** is an approach to perimeter-less security that helps create an effective environment, policies, and infrastructure to minimize data breaches. Although many enterprises were moving towards the Zero-Trust model, Remote working (Work From Home) accelerated it by ten folds.

Zero Trust assumes that no **conventional** network **exists**; networks maybe local, cloud-based, or a combination or hybrid with resources anywhere as well as workers in any location. Although a lot of sellers have tried to create their own definitions of Zero Trust, there are a number of recognized organization standards that can help you bring Zero Trust into alignment with your organization.

Remote Work increased demand for a zero trust model, because of its potential to remedy the Remote working challenges to security

### What is Zero Trust ? {#what-is-zero-trust}

Zero Trust is a model that recognizes trust as a vulnerability and aims at eliminating trust from the Network while ensuring a simplified user experience. It assumes all users, devices, and endpoints are compromised and verify all requests based on their identity and before giving any access to resources.

It reduces the risk of successful data breach and contains severity of breach by eliminating trust and preventing lateral movement.

![What is Zero Trust ? How does it work ?](/blog/assets/2023/zero-trust.webp)

### Why is there a need for Zero Trust ? {#why-zero-trust-is-needed}

In the legacy system, security is defined by protecting organization resources from external threats. In legacy systems, a VPN or Firewall is used to create a perimeter around the organization’s network. All users/devices within the organization network, are considered as trusted users/devices, have unrestricted access to all company resources.

The recent rise in the popularity of remote working brought forth new challenges to the existing security system. With the majority of users working remotely (using remote networks), relying on this approach is less effective, less efficient, and more dangerous.

### What is a Zero Trust Architecture? {#what-is-a-zero-trust-architecture}

Zero Trust model encourages micro-segmentation – it involves identifying Protect surface, a collection of networks most critical assets, data, and applications, and creating a perimeter around it. These perimeters act like a firewall for the protected surfaces and ensure that known, allowed and legitimate traffic can access the protected surface.

Organizations can strengthen security by using granular policies, thus reducing the chances of a breach and improving containment of breach if any takes place.

### How does the Zero Trust security model work? {#how-does-the-zero-trust-security-model-work}

In a Zero Trust system all users, within the organization network perimeter and outside the organization network perimeter are treated as untrusted. All the users requesting resources are verified and RBA sessions are used to grant user access to resources.

![Security Policy Enforcement](/blog/assets/2023/zero-trust-working.webp)

All the user requests and data pass through the security policy enforcement engine. This Security engine ensures protection by verifying device and identity before granting access to the data or applications, and further by monitoring session activities and implementing policies and threat assessment/intelligence.

### Zero Trust Pillars {#zero-trust-pillars}

The philosophy behind zero-trust assumes that no user/device can be trusted and must be verified for authentication and authorization. The 4 pillars of the zero-trust approach are:

-   Assumption of all environments being hostile and breached.
-   Verifying user, user device.
-   Focusing on data protection and not the breach attack.
-   Least privilege access to all users.
-   Real-time monitoring of traffic for Malicious activities.

Users and devices are always verified and given the least privileges and access to requested resources. Users need to request access to other resources and are verified again for them. This way, the zero trust approach offers unrealistic security.

### Challenges to Zero Trust {#challenges-to-zero-trust}

As Zero trust is a security methodology, it requires organizations to evaluate their security strategies and parameters for their system and make consistent efforts to evaluate and improve existing strategies. Some of the major challenges are:

-   Support for Zero trust system from management and users
-   The rapid increase in devices leading to increased chances of unsecured end-point.
-   The exponential growth of applications increases the need for tracking and monitoring.

### Zero trust Maturity Curve {#zero-trust-maturity-curve}

Zero trust is the Implementation of the zero tesut model that can be classified into various stages on the basis of adoption and protection.

![Security Policy Enforcement](/blog/assets/2023/zero-trust-maturity-curve.webp)

#### Stage 0: Fragmented Identities

Organizations use multiple On-premise and cloud applications, and most of them are not connected with each other or a centralized directory. Identities for the different applications are stored on a number of devices.

Due to these fragmented Identities, Securing and managing access to various applications becomes a challenge for IT, as it leaves large windows for attackers to exploit, and for users too, as it means they will need to maintain different login credentials for different applications.

This further increases the security concerns for IT probability of password fatigue or weak login credentials.

#### Stage 1: Unified IAM

This involves resolving the challenges from fragmented Identity. This can be accomplished by adopting an [Identity and Access Management](https://idp.miniorange.com/) (IAM) or [Single Sign-On (SSO)](https://www.miniorange.com/single-sign-on-sso) solution. It would enable identity defragmentation by unifying all identities into a single IAM system and ensuring smooth access to both on-premise and cloud apps with a single set of credentials.

A second-factor authentication method can also be implemented for additional security. Using access policy and group policy, securely access the Applications and resources.

#### Stage 2: Contextual Access

This involves adding a layer of context-based access policy on top of Unified IAM to gather context regarding, user, application, device, network and provide access based on these context markers. These policies will allow organizations to fine-tune the access policy and better control and monitor access to resources and secure access to API.

For example, Asking for 2-factor authentication if a user logins from a new location or device.

#### Stage 3: Adaptive Workforce

This can be defined as the last stage of Zero Trust implementation and focuses on Authentication & authorization access. At this stage, Authentication is a recurring process throughout the user experience through adaptive authentication and risk-based assessment to identify potential threats. Sessions are continuously monitored and Risk scores for sessions are calculated based on assessment. Security is increased through Risk intelligence while risk-based access help simplify the user experience.

### Zero Trust History {#zero-trust-history}

The concept of zero trust has been around for a long time, dating back to the early 2000s. Zero trust is now a popular security model.


Zero Trust is an approach to perimeter-less security that helps create an effective environment, policies, and infrastructure to minimize data breaches. Although many enterprises were moving towards the Zero-Trust model, Remote working (Work From Home) accelerated it by ten folds.

What is a DDoS Attack and how can you protect DDoS Attack?

What Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP)? Explained

What is Zero Trust Security & How does it work?