Cybersecurity is no longer just a concern for large enterprises. Small and midsize businesses (SMBs) are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals—and often, they’re the ones least equipped to recover from an attack. That’s where Zero Trust comes in.
You’ve probably heard the term before, but what does it actually mean? And more importantly, how can it help protect your business?
In this guide, we’ll explain what Zero Trust is, why it matters for SMBs, the key principles behind it, and how to get started.
Table of Contents
What is Zero Trust Security?
Zero Trust is a security model that assumes no user, device, or application should be trusted by default and therefore requires verification for every access request.
In other words, “never trust, always verify.”
Instead of giving blanket access once a user is inside your system, Zero Trust enforces continuous verification and minimal access, reducing the risk of a breach or internal misuse.
Key Principles of Zero Trust
Zero Trust helps organizations protect their data and resources from cyberattacks by using strong identity and device policies, least-privilege access, and threat protection. It is based on three guiding principles: verify explicitly, use least privilege access, and assume breach. Let’s look at each:
- Verify explicitly: Always check every request to access or use your data, based on multiple factors, such as user identity, location, device health, and behavior patterns. This principle applies to all types of access, whether it is from inside or outside the network, or from trusted or untrusted sources.
- Use least-privilege access: Grant users and devices only the minimum permissions needed to perform their tasks. No more, no less.
- Assume breach: Always assume an unauthorized person will eventually get access to your data. Be ready with techniques to quickly detect and minimize damage.
Modern threat protection is a critical component of all three areas, enabling organizations to detect attacks and suspicious activity, automatically block and flag risky behavior, take protective actions, and manage the growing amount of threat data.
Why Should SMBs Care About Zero Trust?
SMBs are frequent targets for cyberattacks because they often lack the advanced security infrastructure of larger organizations. According to Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report, nearly 28% of data breaches in 2020 involved small businesses, and 22% of SMBs that suffered a cyberattack went out of business as a result
Even a single incident can lead to:
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Costly downtime
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Data loss
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Legal consequences
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Loss of customer trust
Zero Trust gives SMBs a way to proactively protect their data, systems, and reputation without needing an enterprise-sized security budget.
How easily an organization can adopt these principles varies depending on its individual security challenges, needs, and capabilities. In other words, the journey to Zero Trust is unique to your business.
Zero Trust is not a one-time project, but a continuous process that requires constant evaluation and improvement. SMBs should work with trusted partners, like BEMO, that can help them implement and maintain zero trust in their environment.
Don't be shy and contact us if you'd like to implement this security strategy in the most efficient way.
Benefits of Zero Trust for Small Businesses
Implementing a Zero Trust strategy helps your business:
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Reduce risk of ransomware and phishing attacks
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Minimize internal threats or accidental data leaks
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Comply with industry standards and regulations
(like HIPAA, GDPR, and other) -
Streamline access control and reduce IT complexity
Zero Trust isn’t just about security—it also improves operational efficiency by eliminating outdated access controls and manual reviews.
How to Implement Zero Trust
Every business is different, so your path to Zero Trust will depend on your existing IT setup and goals. Here are some common first steps:
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Start with identity and access management (IAM):
Use multifactor authentication (MFA), strong passwords, and user verification policies. -
Map your digital environment:
Understand what data, users, devices, and apps need to be protected. -
Segment your network:
Isolate sensitive information and systems to limit movement in case of a breach. -
Enforce device compliance:
Only allow trusted, secure devices to connect to your systems. -
Monitor and respond:
Use threat detection tools to catch unusual behavior and respond quickly.
Working with a cybersecurity partner like BEMO can make this process easier and more efficient.
FAQs About Zero Trust for SMBs
How much does a Zero Trust system cost?
Costs vary depending on your current infrastructure, the tools you choose, and whether you implement it in-house or through a managed service.
At BEMO, we operate on a Zero Trust model by default—both internally and for all our clients. That means every one of our cybersecurity packages is built with Zero Trust principles in mind, so you don’t need to buy it as a separate “add-on.”
Pricing depends on the size of your business, the services you choose, and your specific security needs. You can view our cybersecurity package pricing and details at our cybersecurity for startups page (as of August 2025 our prices start at $60 per user/monthly with Silver Cybersecurity)
Is Zero Trust only for big enterprises?
No! While large organizations were early adopters, Zero Trust is even more critical for SMBs because they often lack the resources to recover from a breach.
What tools do I need for Zero Trust?
At minimum, you’ll need identity and access management (IAM), endpoint protection, device compliance tools, and threat detection/response systems. Microsoft 365 offers many of these features natively for SMBs.
What do I need to maintain Zero Trust long-term?
Some security tools (like MFA) may be implemented once, but others like user training, device compliance, and threat monitoring, require regular updates and improvements.
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