Investigating the Challenges Companies in Rwanda Face when Implementing Zero-Trust Network

Increased security measures are essential due to the rising frequency of cyber threats and attacks, especially in small and medium-sized organizations (SMEs). By continually monitoring and authenticating every user and device seeking to access network resources, the Zero Trust Network (ZTN) has developed into a reliable security paradigm that offers increased protection. There have been many solutions developed, yet the adoption and efficiency of Zero-Trust Network in Rwandan SMEs have not been properly researched, and the research that has been done does not clearly indicate what could be of assistance to a country like Rwanda in terms of assets and expertise. The objective of this research is to close that gap through investigating Zero-Trust Network adoption and effectiveness in Rwandan SMEs. SME managers and IT experts were polled as part of the study to get insights about their existing security practices and perceptions about ZTN. The survey’s findings indicate that SMEs face financial and expertise issues when using ZTN. In spite of having onsite and remote networks, over 75% of businesses still rely on perimeter-based security and have little experience with ZTN. However, its application could assist SMEs strengthen their security posture and reduce cyber risks. In addition to outlining the networking protocols needed for ZTN, our paper suggests an economical approach that SMEs can utilize to set up a low-cost Zero-Trust Network. By utilizing open-source and widely accessible technologies, this design makes deployment simple for SMEs. Finally, the findings of our analysis indicate that firms can prevent up to 94% of potential cyberattacks by employing the suggested solution.