Digital transformation is a comprehensive process of integrating digital technology into all areas of an organization, fundamentally altering how businesses operate and deliver value to their customers. This transformation is driven by the need to improve efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and remain competitive in a digitally-driven world. It involves adopting new technologies, such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics, to streamline operations, create new business models, and foster innovation.
As organizations undergo digital transformation, they embrace various tools and practices that enable them to operate more flexibly and effectively. However, this shift also introduces new complexities and vulnerabilities, making traditional security measures inadequate. The challenge lies in managing these digital assets while ensuring robust protection against emerging threats.
To achieve and sustain successful digital transformation initiatives, organizations must prioritize Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) as a central component of their security framework.
The Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)
Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) is a security model that operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” Unlike traditional security approaches that rely on perimeter defenses and assume that everything inside the network is trustworthy, ZTA requires strict verification for every user, device, and application attempting to access resources, regardless of their location.
In a Zero Trust model, access to resources is granted based on continuous verification of user identity, device health, and contextual factors. This approach involves several core principles, including least privilege access, micro-segmentation, and continuous monitoring. By implementing ZTA, organizations ensure that no entity is trusted by default, thereby minimizing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
Importance of Aligning Digital Transformation with Security
As organizations undergo digital transformation, aligning security strategies with this evolution is crucial to safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining operational integrity. Traditional security models often focus on protecting the network perimeter, but digital transformation blurs these boundaries with the proliferation of cloud services, mobile devices, and remote work. This shift renders conventional perimeter-based defenses less effective, highlighting the need for a more sophisticated approach to security.
Integrating Zero Trust Architecture into digital transformation efforts addresses this challenge by providing a security framework that adapts to the evolving landscape. ZTA ensures that security measures are not only applied at the network edge but are embedded throughout the entire infrastructure. This alignment between digital transformation and security is essential for several reasons:
- Mitigating Risks in a Decentralized Environment: Digital transformation often involves decentralizing IT resources and leveraging cloud-based services, which can create multiple points of vulnerability. ZTA’s focus on continuous verification and least privilege access helps mitigate these risks by ensuring that every access request is thoroughly vetted.
- Protecting Sensitive Data: With the increased digitization of business processes, the volume and value of sensitive data have grown significantly. ZTA provides robust mechanisms for data protection by enforcing strict access controls and continuously monitoring for potential threats, thereby safeguarding data from unauthorized access and breaches.
- Supporting Remote Work and BYOD: The rise of remote work and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies introduces additional security challenges, as employees access corporate resources from various locations and devices. ZTA addresses these challenges by applying consistent security policies across all endpoints and access scenarios, ensuring that remote and BYOD access is secure.
- Enabling Compliance and Regulatory Requirements: As regulations around data privacy and security become more stringent, organizations must ensure they meet compliance requirements. ZTA facilitates compliance by providing granular control over access and robust auditing capabilities, helping organizations adhere to regulatory standards and avoid potential penalties.
To recap, aligning digital transformation with security through Zero Trust Architecture is not only a beneficial but also a needed approach to safeguarding an organization’s digital assets and maintaining operational resilience. By adopting ZTA, organizations can effectively address the complexities and security challenges associated with digital transformation.
We now discuss four specific reasons why organizations must prioritize Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) to achieve true, lasting digital transformation.
Reason 1: Enhancing Security in a Decentralized Environment
In digital transformation, a decentralized environment refers to a system architecture where resources, applications, and data are distributed across various locations rather than being confined to a centralized data center or corporate network. This decentralization is driven by the adoption of cloud services, remote work, and mobile applications, which allow organizations to operate more flexibly and efficiently.
The rise of cloud computing has significantly contributed to this shift, as organizations increasingly rely on third-party cloud providers for computing power, storage, and software applications. Additionally, the proliferation of mobile devices and the internet of things (IoT) means that data and applications are no longer confined to physical office spaces. These decentralized environments enhance business agility and scalability but also introduce new security challenges.
How ZTA Enhances Security in Such Environments
Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) is particularly well-suited for securing decentralized environments due to its fundamental principle of “never trust, always verify.” In a decentralized setting, traditional security models that rely on perimeter defenses become less effective, as the boundary between internal and external networks becomes blurred. ZTA addresses these challenges through several key mechanisms:
- Continuous Verification: ZTA mandates continuous authentication and authorization for every access request, regardless of the user’s location or the resource being accessed. This means that even if an entity is inside the network, it must continually prove its legitimacy. This approach helps mitigate risks associated with unauthorized access, which is particularly critical in decentralized environments where users and devices are dispersed.
- Micro-Segmentation: By dividing the network into smaller, isolated segments, ZTA limits the impact of a potential security breach. In a decentralized environment, where applications and data are spread across multiple locations, micro-segmentation ensures that an attacker who gains access to one segment cannot easily move laterally to other parts of the network. This containment strategy enhances overall security and reduces the attack surface.
- Least Privilege Access: ZTA enforces the principle of least privilege by granting users and devices only the minimum level of access necessary to perform their tasks. In a decentralized environment, where resources are distributed, this approach ensures that access permissions are tightly controlled and tailored to specific roles and needs. This minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and limits the potential damage if an account or device is compromised.
- Contextual Access Control: ZTA takes into account various contextual factors, such as user identity, device health, and location, when making access decisions. In a decentralized environment, this means that access controls can be dynamically adjusted based on the current context of the request, providing an additional layer of security that adapts to changing conditions.
Examples of Decentralized Environments and ZTA Implementation
- Cloud-Based Applications: Organizations that utilize cloud-based software applications (SaaS) often operate in a decentralized environment. Implementing ZTA in this context involves securing access to these applications through strong authentication mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), and continuously monitoring user activities to detect any anomalies or unauthorized behavior.
- Remote Work: With the rise of remote work, employees access corporate resources from various locations and devices. ZTA can be implemented by deploying VPNs with granular access controls, using endpoint protection solutions to ensure device security, and continuously verifying user identities through adaptive authentication methods.
- IoT Devices: The integration of IoT devices into organizational networks adds another layer of decentralization. ZTA can enhance security by segmenting IoT devices into isolated network segments, applying strict access controls, and continuously monitoring device behavior to identify and respond to potential threats.
Reason 2: Protecting Sensitive Data
The Role of Data in Digital Transformation
Data is a critical asset in digital transformation, driving decision-making, innovation, and operational efficiency. As organizations embrace digital technologies, they generate, process, and store vast amounts of data, including sensitive information such as customer details, financial records, and intellectual property. Effective data management and protection are essential to maintaining competitive advantage, ensuring customer trust, and complying with regulatory requirements.
Digital transformation initiatives often involve moving data to cloud environments, adopting big data analytics, and implementing advanced data processing techniques. These changes enable organizations to harness data for strategic insights and improved business outcomes. However, the increased volume and complexity of data also heighten the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
Risks to Sensitive Data in Traditional Security Models
Traditional security models typically rely on perimeter-based defenses, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, to protect sensitive data. While these measures can be effective in defending against external threats, they often fall short in addressing internal risks and sophisticated attacks. Some of the key risks to sensitive data in traditional security models include:
- Insider Threats: Employees or contractors with authorized access to sensitive data can intentionally or unintentionally compromise its security. Traditional security models may not adequately address the risks posed by insiders, who can exploit their access to steal or misuse data.
- Limited Visibility: Perimeter-based security solutions may lack visibility into data access and usage within the network. This limited visibility makes it challenging to detect and respond to unauthorized access or data exfiltration attempts.
- Static Access Controls: Traditional security models often rely on static access controls based on predefined roles and permissions. These controls may not be sufficient to protect sensitive data in dynamic environments where access needs to be adjusted based on real-time context and risk factors.
- Lack of Data Encryption: In many traditional setups, data encryption is not uniformly applied across all data storage and transmission points. This can leave sensitive data vulnerable to interception and unauthorized access.
How ZTA Ensures Data Protection
Zero Trust Architecture enhances data protection by addressing the limitations of traditional security models through a multi-faceted approach:
- Granular Access Control: ZTA enforces strict access controls based on user identity, device health, and contextual factors. By applying least privilege principles and ensuring that users only have access to the data they need for their specific roles, ZTA minimizes the risk of unauthorized data access.
- Data Encryption: ZTA emphasizes the importance of encrypting data both in transit and at rest. Encryption ensures that sensitive data remains secure even if intercepted or accessed by unauthorized individuals. ZTA implementations typically include encryption protocols and policies to protect data across all stages of its lifecycle.
- Continuous Monitoring and Analytics: ZTA involves continuous monitoring of user activities, access patterns, and data interactions. Advanced analytics and threat detection technologies are used to identify anomalies and potential security incidents in real-time, enabling rapid responses to data breaches or suspicious behavior.
- Contextual Access Policies: ZTA adapts access policies based on contextual factors such as location, device security posture, and user behavior. This dynamic approach ensures that access to sensitive data is granted only under secure and verified conditions, reducing the risk of data exposure.
Case Studies or Examples
- Financial Services Industry: Financial institutions deal with highly sensitive customer data and face stringent regulatory requirements. By implementing ZTA, a bank can enforce granular access controls, encrypt customer data, and continuously monitor transactions to detect any unusual patterns indicative of fraud or data breaches.
- Healthcare Sector: In the healthcare industry, protecting patient data is crucial for compliance with regulations such as HIPAA. A healthcare provider using ZTA can ensure that access to patient records is strictly controlled, data is encrypted, and continuous monitoring is in place to prevent unauthorized access or data leaks.
- Retail Organizations: Retailers handle large volumes of customer information and payment data. Implementing ZTA allows them to secure customer transactions, monitor access to sensitive data, and prevent data breaches by applying context-based access controls and encryption.
Reason 3: Supporting Remote Work and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)
Growth of Remote Work and BYOD Policies
The growth of remote work and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies has transformed the modern workplace. Remote work enables employees to work from various locations, such as home offices, co-working spaces, or while traveling, using personal or company-issued devices. Similarly, BYOD allows employees to use their personal devices—such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops—for work purposes. These trends offer increased flexibility and productivity but also introduce new security challenges.
Remote work and BYOD policies have become more prevalent due to advances in technology and changing workforce expectations. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work, and many organizations continue to support flexible work arrangements as part of their long-term strategies. BYOD policies, while enhancing employee convenience, complicate IT management and security due to the diverse range of devices and operating systems.
Security Challenges with Remote Work and BYOD
The shift to remote work and BYOD introduces several security challenges that must be addressed to protect organizational assets:
- Insecure Network Connections: Remote workers often use home or public networks that may lack robust security protections. Unsecured networks can be vulnerable to interception and attacks, posing a risk to sensitive data transmitted over these connections.
- Device Security Risks: Personal devices used for work may not have the same security measures as company-issued devices. These devices might be outdated, lacking essential security patches, or susceptible to malware, increasing the risk of data breaches.
- Data Loss and Theft: The use of personal devices raises concerns about data loss and theft. If a personal device is lost or stolen, sensitive corporate data stored on the device could be compromised, especially if the device lacks encryption or proper security controls.
- Lack of Visibility and Control: Managing and securing a diverse array of devices can be challenging for IT teams. Traditional security solutions may not provide adequate visibility into remote devices or the ability to enforce consistent security policies across all endpoints.
How ZTA Addresses These Challenges
Zero Trust Architecture provides a robust framework for addressing the security challenges associated with remote work and BYOD:
- Adaptive Authentication: ZTA employs adaptive authentication methods that assess the risk level of each access request based on factors such as user identity, device health, and network conditions. This approach ensures that remote access is granted only after verifying the authenticity and security of the requesting entity.
- Endpoint Security: ZTA emphasizes the importance of securing all endpoints, whether personal or company-issued. By implementing endpoint protection solutions, such as antivirus software and device management tools, ZTA ensures that devices meet security standards before accessing corporate resources.
- Secure Access Controls: With ZTA, organizations can enforce granular access controls based on the principle of least privilege. Remote workers and BYOD users are granted access only to the specific resources they need for their work, reducing the risk of unauthorized data access.
- Encryption and VPNs: ZTA advocates for the use of encryption to protect data transmitted over unsecured networks. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can be employed to create secure communication channels for remote workers, ensuring that data is encrypted and protected during transmission.
- Continuous Monitoring: ZTA involves continuous monitoring of user activities and device behaviors. This real-time monitoring helps detect and respond to suspicious activities or potential security incidents, ensuring that any anomalies are promptly addressed.
Real-World Applications
- Technology Companies: Technology firms with a large remote workforce can implement ZTA by using adaptive authentication methods to verify remote access requests, ensuring that only authorized users can access sensitive development resources and intellectual property.
- Consulting Firms: Consulting firms that support BYOD policies can leverage ZTA to enforce endpoint security and access controls, ensuring that consultants using personal devices adhere to corporate security standards and only access relevant client information.
- Education Institutions: Educational institutions supporting remote learning and BYOD for students and faculty can utilize ZTA to manage access to online resources, protect academic data, and ensure that only authorized users can access educational platforms.
Reason 4: Enabling Compliance and Regulatory Requirements
Today, organizations are subject to a growing number of compliance requirements and data protection laws. These regulations are designed to safeguard sensitive information, ensure privacy, and maintain the integrity of business operations. Examples of such regulations include the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) for payment card information.
Compliance with these regulations is essential for avoiding legal penalties, maintaining customer trust, and ensuring the secure handling of sensitive data. However, meeting these requirements can be challenging due to the complexity of regulations and the evolving nature of security threats.
Challenges of Meeting Compliance with Traditional Security Approaches
Traditional security approaches often struggle to meet the demands of modern compliance and regulatory requirements. Some of the key challenges include:
- Static Security Controls: Traditional security models rely on static controls and perimeter defenses that may not be sufficient to address the dynamic nature of regulatory requirements. Regulations often require continuous monitoring and real-time data protection, which static controls may not adequately support.
- Limited Auditing and Reporting Capabilities: Compliance regulations often require detailed auditing and reporting of data access and usage. Traditional security solutions may lack the necessary capabilities to generate comprehensive audit trails and reports required for regulatory compliance.
- Inconsistent Data Protection: Traditional approaches may apply data protection measures inconsistently across different systems and applications. This lack of uniformity can create gaps in security and increase the risk of non-compliance.
- Difficulty Adapting to Regulatory Changes: As regulations evolve, organizations must adapt their security practices to remain compliant. Traditional security models may lack the flexibility to quickly adjust to new or updated regulatory requirements.
How ZTA Helps in Achieving and Maintaining Compliance
Zero Trust Architecture supports compliance and regulatory requirements by providing a security framework that aligns with modern data protection and privacy standards:
- Granular Access Controls: ZTA’s emphasis on granular access controls ensures that access to sensitive data is tightly regulated. By enforcing least privilege access and continuously verifying user identities, ZTA helps organizations meet regulatory requirements for data protection.
- Comprehensive Auditing and Reporting: ZTA includes robust auditing and reporting capabilities that facilitate compliance with regulations requiring detailed records of data access and usage. Real-time monitoring and logging features provide organizations with the necessary tools to generate accurate and comprehensive reports.
- Data Encryption and Protection: ZTA advocates for the use of encryption to protect data both in transit and at rest. This aligns with regulatory requirements for data protection and ensures that sensitive information remains secure even in the event of a breach.
- Adaptability to Regulatory Changes: ZTA’s flexible and dynamic approach to security allows organizations to quickly adapt to new or updated regulatory requirements. By continuously assessing and adjusting access controls and security policies, ZTA supports ongoing compliance efforts.
Examples of Regulations and ZTA Benefits
- GDPR: The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires organizations to implement stringent data protection measures and ensure the privacy of personal data. ZTA helps organizations achieve GDPR compliance by enforcing granular access controls, providing robust auditing capabilities, and ensuring data encryption.
- HIPAA: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) mandates the protection of patient health information. ZTA supports HIPAA compliance by implementing strict access controls, securing data through encryption, and providing continuous monitoring and reporting features.
- PCI DSS: The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requires the protection of payment card information. ZTA helps organizations meet PCI DSS requirements by enforcing least privilege access, securing data through encryption, and providing comprehensive auditing and monitoring capabilities.
How to Get Started with Zero Trust Architecture
Implementing Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) requires a methodical approach to ensure that security practices align with the fundamental principles of Zero Trust. Here’s a comprehensive guide to getting started with ZTA, covering the assessment of your current security posture, identifying key areas for ZTA implementation, and the steps to design and implement a robust ZTA framework.
Assessing the Current Security Posture
Before diving into Zero Trust Architecture, it’s crucial to assess your organization’s current security posture. This initial assessment helps identify existing vulnerabilities, understand the current state of security measures, and establish a baseline for improvements. Here’s how to approach this assessment:
- Evaluate Existing Security Controls: Review the effectiveness of your current security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and antivirus solutions. Determine if these controls provide adequate protection against modern threats or if they are primarily focused on perimeter security.
- Identify Key Assets and Data: Catalog critical assets, including sensitive data, applications, and intellectual property. Understand how these assets are accessed and protected, and identify any potential gaps in security.
- Assess User Access and Privileges: Examine user access levels and permissions across your organization. Identify areas where users may have more access than necessary or where access controls may be insufficient.
- Evaluate Network Architecture: Review your network topology to understand how different segments interact and how data flows between them. Identify any areas where security boundaries are weak or where lateral movement could occur if a breach happens.
- Analyze Incident History: Look into past security incidents and breaches to identify patterns or recurring issues. This analysis helps understand the weaknesses that need to be addressed and how Zero Trust can mitigate these risks.
Identifying Key Areas for ZTA Implementation
Once you have assessed your current security posture, the next step is to identify key areas where Zero Trust Architecture can be implemented effectively. Focus on the following areas:
- Network Segmentation: Network segmentation involves dividing your network into smaller, isolated segments to limit the impact of a breach. This approach helps contain threats and prevents attackers from moving laterally within the network. Identify segments based on critical assets, data sensitivity, and user roles.
- Identity and Access Management (IAM): IAM systems control user access to resources based on their identity and role. Implementing Zero Trust requires a thorough review of IAM practices to ensure that users are authenticated, authorized, and continuously verified.
- Continuous Monitoring and Analytics: ZTA relies on continuous monitoring and analytics to detect and respond to potential threats in real time. Identify the tools and processes needed to monitor user behavior, network traffic, and data access continuously.
- Least Privilege Access: Adopting the principle of least privilege ensures that users have only the access necessary to perform their tasks. Evaluate existing access controls and identify areas where least privilege access can be implemented or strengthened.
- Data Protection: Ensure that sensitive data is protected through encryption and access controls. Identify data protection measures required to align with Zero Trust principles and regulatory requirements.
Steps to Design and Implement a ZTA Framework
Designing and implementing a Zero Trust Architecture framework involves several critical steps. Here’s a detailed guide to help you through the process:
- Define Security Policies and Objectives:
- Establish Objectives: Define the goals of implementing Zero Trust Architecture, such as reducing the attack surface, enhancing data protection, and improving threat detection.
- Develop Security Policies: Create comprehensive security policies that outline how Zero Trust principles will be applied across the organization. These policies should cover access controls, network segmentation, data protection, and incident response.
- Design Network Segmentation:
- Segment the Network: Divide your network into isolated segments based on the sensitivity of assets, user roles, and data flows. For example, separate segments for critical infrastructure, application servers, and user workstations.
- Implement Micro-Segmentation: Apply micro-segmentation techniques to create smaller, isolated zones within each network segment. This approach limits lateral movement and enhances containment if a breach occurs.
- Define Communication Policies: Establish policies that govern communication between network segments. Ensure that only authorized traffic is allowed and that communication is monitored for anomalies.
- Implement Identity and Access Management (IAM):
- Enhance Authentication: Adopt multi-factor authentication (MFA) to strengthen user authentication. Ensure that MFA is applied consistently across all access points and applications.
- Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Define user roles and assign access permissions based on these roles. Ensure that access is granted based on the principle of least privilege.
- Continuous Verification: Implement continuous verification mechanisms to reassess user access based on context and risk factors. This may include real-time monitoring of user behavior and device health.
- Deploy Continuous Monitoring and Analytics:
- Monitor Network Traffic: Deploy network monitoring tools that provide visibility into network traffic patterns and detect suspicious activities. Tools such as Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems can aggregate and analyze security data.
- Implement User Behavior Analytics (UBA): Use UBA tools to monitor and analyze user behavior for signs of abnormal or potentially malicious activities. These tools help identify potential threats based on deviations from normal behavior.
- Establish Incident Response Procedures: Develop and test incident response procedures to ensure that your organization can quickly respond to security incidents detected by monitoring tools.
- Apply Least Privilege Access Controls:
- Review and Adjust Permissions: Regularly review user permissions and access levels to ensure they align with the principle of least privilege. Adjust permissions as needed based on changing roles and responsibilities.
- Implement Just-in-Time Access: Use just-in-time (JIT) access controls to provide temporary access to resources only when needed. This approach reduces the risk of excessive or unnecessary permissions.
- Secure Data Protection:
- Encrypt Data: Apply encryption to sensitive data both in transit and at rest. Ensure that encryption practices align with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
- Implement Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Use DLP tools to monitor and protect sensitive data from unauthorized access or exfiltration. Configure DLP policies based on the type and sensitivity of the data.
- Integrate Tools and Technologies for ZTA:
- Identity and Access Management Solutions: Deploy IAM solutions that support MFA, RBAC, and continuous verification. Ensure that these solutions integrate with other security tools and processes.
- Network Security Solutions: Implement network security solutions such as firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and secure web gateways to protect network segments and enforce communication policies.
- Endpoint Security Solutions: Use endpoint protection tools to secure devices accessing the network. These tools should provide real-time monitoring, threat detection, and response capabilities.
Tools and Technologies for ZTA
To successfully implement Zero Trust Architecture, organizations should leverage a variety of tools and technologies:
- Identity and Access Management (IAM):
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Tools like Okta, Duo Security, and Microsoft Azure Active Directory (AD) provide MFA to enhance authentication security.
- Single Sign-On (SSO): Solutions such as Okta and OneLogin offer SSO capabilities to simplify user access management while maintaining security.
- Network Security:
- Firewalls and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS): Next-generation firewalls (NGFW) from vendors like Palo Alto Networks and Cisco, and IPS solutions from companies like Trend Micro and McAfee, help secure network segments.
- Secure Web Gateways: Tools like Zscaler and Forcepoint protect users from web-based threats and enforce security policies.
- Endpoint Security:
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Solutions such as CrowdStrike Falcon, Carbon Black, and SentinelOne provide advanced threat detection and response for endpoints.
- Mobile Device Management (MDM): Tools like VMware Workspace ONE and Microsoft Intune help manage and secure mobile devices.
- Continuous Monitoring and Analytics:
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): Platforms like Splunk, IBM QRadar, and LogRhythm aggregate and analyze security data for threat detection and incident response.
- User Behavior Analytics (UBA): Tools like Sumo Logic and Varonis analyze user behavior to identify potential threats and anomalies.
Conclusion
Surprisingly, the greatest threat to digital transformation isn’t the technology itself but the traditional mindset that resists change. Embracing Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) requires not just a shift in technology but a fundamental change in how organizations think about security. By challenging the assumption that perimeter defenses alone are sufficient, ZTA paves the way for a more resilient and adaptive security posture.
Implementing Zero Trust isn’t about adding another layer of security; it’s about redefining the entire approach to safeguarding assets. As threats evolve and digital landscapes become increasingly complex, ZTA provides a framework that evolves with them. Organizations that adopt Zero Trust will find themselves not just more secure but better positioned to navigate future and fuzzy complex challenges with confidence.