Micro-Segmentation for Data Access

Micro-Segmentation for Data Access

Micro-segmentation divides data access into granular security zones, each with independent access controls and monitoring. Unlike traditional network segmentation, micro-segmentation in zero-trust architecture extends to individual data objects, user sessions, and application components. This granular approach limits lateral movement and contains breaches to minimal scopes.

Implementing micro-segmentation for data requires careful planning to avoid operational complexity. Automated policy generation based on data classification and user roles helps manage the numerous security boundaries. Machine learning can identify optimal segmentation strategies by analyzing access patterns and identifying natural boundaries in data usage.

// Example: Micro-segmentation implementation for data access
class DataMicroSegmentation {
    constructor(config) {
        this.config = config;
        this.segmentManager = new SegmentManager();
        this.policyEngine = new PolicyEngine();
        this.accessController = new AccessController();
    }
    
    async createDataSegments(dataSet) {
        // Analyze data to identify natural segments
        const segments = await this.analyzeDataStructure(dataSet);
        
        for (const segment of segments) {
            // Create isolated security zone
            const zone = await this.segmentManager.createZone({
                id: this.generateZoneId(segment),
                classification: segment.classification,
                sensitivity: segment.sensitivity,
                boundaries: segment.boundaries,
                policies: await this.generateSegmentPolicies(segment)
            });
            
            // Configure access controls
            await this.configureZoneAccess(zone);
            
            // Set up monitoring
            await this.enableZoneMonitoring(zone);
        }
        
        return segments;
    }
    
    async enforceSegmentedAccess(accessRequest) {
        const { userId, requestedData, operation } = accessRequest;
        
        // Identify affected segments
        const segments = await this.identifySegments(requestedData);
        
        // Check access for each segment
        const accessGrants = [];
        
        for (const segment of segments) {
            const zone = await this.segmentManager.getZone(segment.zoneId);
            
            // Verify segment-specific access
            const canAccess = await this.verifySegmentAccess(
                userId, zone, operation
            );
            
            if (!canAccess) {
                // Log denied access
                await this.logDeniedAccess(userId, zone, operation);
                continue;
            }
            
            // Create segment-specific access grant
            const grant = await this.createSegmentGrant(
                userId, zone, operation
            );
            
            accessGrants.push(grant);
        }
        
        // Return composite access with segment restrictions
        return this.createCompositeAccess(accessGrants);
    }
    
    async generateSegmentPolicies(segment) {
        const policies = [];
        
        // Access control policies
        policies.push({
            type: 'access_control',
            rules: [
                {
                    effect: 'deny',
                    principal: '*',
                    action: '*',
                    condition: {
                        'unless': {
                            'segment_authorized': true
                        }
                    }
                },
                {
                    effect: 'allow',
                    principal: { 'role': segment.authorizedRoles },
                    action: segment.allowedOperations,
                    condition: {
                        'ip_range': segment.allowedNetworks,
                        'time_range': segment.accessHours,
                        'mfa_required': true
                    }
                }
            ]
        });
        
        // Data handling policies
        policies.push({
            type: 'data_handling',
            rules: [
                {
                    encryption: {
                        at_rest: 'AES-256-GCM',
                        in_transit: 'TLS-1.3',
                        key_management: 'HSM'
                    },
                    retention: {
                        max_days: segment.retentionDays,
                        deletion_method: 'crypto_shred'
                    },
                    audit: {
                        log_access: true,
                        log_modifications: true,
                        alert_on_anomaly: true
                    }
                }
            ]
        });
        
        return policies;
    }
    
    async implementAdaptiveSegmentation() {
        // Monitor access patterns
        const accessPatterns = await this.analyzeAccessPatterns();
        
        // Identify optimization opportunities
        const optimizations = this.identifySegmentOptimizations(
            accessPatterns
        );
        
        for (const optimization of optimizations) {
            if (optimization.type === 'merge') {
                // Merge segments with identical access patterns
                await this.mergeSegments(
                    optimization.segments,
                    optimization.reason
                );
            } else if (optimization.type === 'split') {
                // Split segments with mixed access patterns
                await this.splitSegment(
                    optimization.segment,
                    optimization.boundaries
                );
            } else if (optimization.type === 'isolate') {
                // Create isolated segment for high-risk data
                await this.createIsolatedSegment(
                    optimization.data,
                    optimization.riskLevel
                );
            }
        }
    }
}

class ZeroTrustNetworkAccess {
    constructor(config) {
        this.config = config;
        this.sdpController = new SoftwareDefinedPerimeter();
        this.microTunnels = new Map();
    }
    
    async establishSecureChannel(context) {
        // Create micro-tunnel for specific data access
        const tunnel = await this.sdpController.createMicroTunnel({
            userId: context.userId,
            deviceId: context.deviceId,
            targetSegment: context.requestedSegment,
            duration: this.config.tunnelDuration,
            encryption: {
                algorithm: 'ChaCha20-Poly1305',
                keyExchange: 'X25519',
                perfectForwardSecrecy: true
            }
        });
        
        // Configure tunnel restrictions
        await this.applyTunnelRestrictions(tunnel, {
            bandwidthLimit: this.calculateBandwidthLimit(context),
            packetInspection: true,
            allowedProtocols: ['HTTPS'],
            dataExfiltrationPrevention: true
        });
        
        // Monitor tunnel health
        this.monitorTunnel(tunnel);
        
        return tunnel;
    }
    
    async applyJustInTimeAccess(request) {
        const { userId, resource, duration, justification } = request;
        
        // Verify justification
        if (!await this.verifyJustification(justification)) {
            throw new Error('Invalid justification for JIT access');
        }
        
        // Create time-limited access
        const access = {
            id: this.generateAccessId(),
            userId,
            resource,
            grantedAt: new Date(),
            expiresAt: new Date(Date.now() + duration * 1000),
            permissions: await this.calculateMinimalPermissions(
                userId, resource
            ),
            conditions: {
                continuousVerification: true,
                sessionRecording: this.requiresRecording(resource),
                alertOnAnomaly: true
            }
        };
        
        // Activate access
        await this.activateTemporaryAccess(access);
        
        // Schedule automatic revocation
        setTimeout(
            () => this.revokeAccess(access.id),
            duration * 1000
        );
        
        return access;
    }
}