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Core Concepts

This section provides an overview of the fundamental concepts behind ZeroTrustKerberosLink, including Kerberos authentication, AWS integration, and Zero Trust security principles.

Overview

ZeroTrustKerberosLink bridges the gap between enterprise Kerberos authentication systems and AWS services using Zero Trust security principles. Understanding these core concepts is essential for successful implementation and operation.

Key Components

Kerberos Authentication

Kerberos is a network authentication protocol designed to provide strong authentication for client/server applications using secret-key cryptography. ZeroTrustKerberosLink leverages your existing Kerberos infrastructure to authenticate users before granting access to AWS resources.

Learn more about Kerberos Fundamentals

AWS Authentication

AWS uses a variety of authentication mechanisms, including IAM users, roles, and temporary security credentials. ZeroTrustKerberosLink securely maps authenticated Kerberos principals to appropriate AWS IAM roles, enabling secure access to AWS services.

Learn more about AWS Authentication

Zero Trust Security

The Zero Trust security model operates on the principle of "never trust, always verify." ZeroTrustKerberosLink implements Zero Trust by verifying every request, regardless of source, and applying strict access controls based on identity and context.

Learn more about Zero Trust Principles

Authentication Flow

The authentication flow in ZeroTrustKerberosLink involves several steps:

  1. User Authentication: The user authenticates to the Kerberos realm
  2. Kerberos Ticket Validation: ZeroTrustKerberosLink validates the Kerberos ticket
  3. Context Evaluation: Additional context factors are evaluated
  4. AWS Role Mapping: The authenticated principal is mapped to an AWS IAM role
  5. Temporary Credential Issuance: Temporary AWS credentials are issued
  6. Access to AWS Services: The user accesses AWS services with the temporary credentials

Learn more about the Authentication Flow

Security Model

ZeroTrustKerberosLink's security model is built on several key principles:

Defense in Depth

Multiple layers of security controls are implemented to protect against various threats:

  • Authentication Layer: Validates Kerberos tickets and user identity
  • Authorization Layer: Determines appropriate AWS role assignments
  • Policy Layer: Enforces fine-grained access controls
  • Monitoring Layer: Detects and alerts on suspicious activities

Least Privilege

Users receive only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their tasks:

  • Role-Based Access Control: Access based on defined roles
  • Time-Limited Credentials: Temporary credentials with short lifetimes
  • Contextual Access: Permissions adjusted based on context
  • Just-in-Time Access: Access granted only when needed

Continuous Verification

Authentication and authorization are continuously verified:

  • Session Monitoring: Active sessions are monitored for anomalies
  • Credential Renewal: Credentials must be periodically renewed
  • Context Reevaluation: Changes in context trigger reevaluation
  • Risk-Based Assessment: Higher-risk actions require additional verification

Key Benefits

Understanding these core concepts helps realize the key benefits of ZeroTrustKerberosLink:

  1. Seamless Integration: Leverage existing Kerberos infrastructure for AWS access
  2. Enhanced Security: Apply Zero Trust principles to AWS authentication
  3. Simplified Management: Centralized management of AWS access
  4. Compliance Support: Meet regulatory requirements for authentication and access control
  5. Reduced Risk: Minimize the risk of unauthorized access and credential theft

Architectural Considerations

When implementing ZeroTrustKerberosLink, consider these architectural factors:

Deployment Models

ZeroTrustKerberosLink supports multiple deployment models:

  • On-Premises: Deployed within your data center
  • AWS-Hosted: Deployed on EC2 instances or containers in AWS
  • Hybrid: Components deployed both on-premises and in AWS

Integration Points

Key integration points include:

  • Kerberos KDC: Connection to your Kerberos Key Distribution Center
  • AWS IAM: Integration with AWS Identity and Access Management
  • Identity Providers: Optional integration with additional identity providers
  • Monitoring Systems: Integration with security monitoring and SIEM systems

Scalability

ZeroTrustKerberosLink is designed for enterprise scalability:

  • Horizontal Scaling: Add more instances to handle increased load
  • Load Balancing: Distribute authentication requests across instances
  • Caching: Optimize performance through appropriate caching
  • High Availability: Deploy in multiple availability zones or regions